Top 7 China Heat Pump Companies 2025
China is the world's largest manufacturer and exporter of heat pumps, producing over 60% of global heat pump units. Chinese heat pump companies have achieved significant technological advances in air source, ground source, and water source heat pumps, driven by domestic energy efficiency requirements and booming export demand from Europe. With the EU's push to reduce dependency on Russian gas, Chinese heat pump exports have surged, with several companies establishing European manufacturing bases to serve the growing market.
TL;DR: China dominates global heat pump production with Midea, Gree, and Haier as volume leaders. PHNIX and New_energy lead specialized heat pump exports to Europe. The sector is benefiting from both domestic carbon neutrality goals and European energy transition demand.
Top Companies
Midea Group (美的)
World's #1 heat pump manufacturer · 5M+ units/year · Global operationsMidea is the world's largest heat pump manufacturer by volume, producing a comprehensive range of air source, ground source, and pool heat pumps. The company has established European manufacturing facilities and R&D centers. Midea heat pumps are certified under European Ecodesign requirements and are widely used in residential and commercial heating.
Gree Electric (格力)
China's largest air conditioner maker · Strong heat pump R&D · 3M+ units/yearGree leverages its dominance in air conditioning technology to produce high-efficiency heat pumps. The company has invested heavily in inverter compressor technology and has developed heat pumps with industry-leading COP (Coefficient of Performance) values. Gree heat pumps are widely deployed in China's 'coal-to-electricity' heating conversion program.
Haier Smart Home (海尔)
Global appliance leader · Aquarea series · 3M+ units/yearHaier produces heat pumps under its Haier and Casarte premium brands, offering solutions for residential heating, hot water, and commercial applications. The company has a strong European presence through its Haier Europe subsidiary and offers a comprehensive warranty and service network.
PHNIX (芬尼)
Founded 2000 · Leading heat pump exporter · European market focusPHNIX is China's leading specialized heat pump company with a strong focus on European exports. The company offers pool heat pumps, air-to-water heat pumps, and hybrid systems. PHNIX has established a European subsidiary and manufacturing partnership to serve the growing demand for energy-efficient heating solutions.
New_energy (纽恩泰)
Founded 2003 · Air source heat pump specialist · China's rural heating leaderNew_energy is a leading Chinese air source heat pump company specializing in rural heating applications. The company has been a major beneficiary of China's 'clean heating' policy, deploying heat pump systems across northern Chinese provinces to replace coal-fired heating.
Zhigao (中广欧特斯)
Leading rural heat pump brand · 500K+ units/year · Clean heating programZhigao is a major air source heat pump brand focused on China's clean heating market. The company has extensive experience in providing heating solutions for northern Chinese villages and has been expanding its product range to include commercial and industrial heat pump applications.
TICA (天加)
Founded 1991 · Commercial HVAC + heat pump · Growing heat pump portfolioTICA specializes in commercial and industrial HVAC systems, including large-scale heat pump solutions for buildings, district heating, and industrial processes. The company has been expanding its heat pump portfolio and has established partnerships with European HVAC companies.
Comparison Table
| Company | Key Product/Service | Focus Area | Scale/Metric | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea | Midea Heat Pump | Residential + Commercial | 5M+ units/year | Global #1 Volume |
| Gree | Gree Heat Pump | Residential | 3M+ units/year | High COP Inverter |
| Haier | Casarte, Haier HP | Residential + Premium | 3M+ units/year | Global Brand |
| PHNIX | PHNIX Pool + AWHP | Pool + Heating Export | 500K+ units/year | EU Export Leader |
| New_energy | Air Source HP | Rural Clean Heating | 500K+ units/year | Clean Heating |
| Zhigao | Air Source HP | Rural + Commercial | 500K+ units/year | Rural Heating |
| TICA | Commercial HP | Commercial + Industrial | 200K+ units/year | Commercial HVAC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is China dominating the global heat pump market?
China's dominance comes from its massive manufacturing scale, mature supply chain for compressors and components, and cost advantages of 20-40% compared to European manufacturers. Chinese companies have also invested heavily in R&D, achieving energy efficiency ratings that meet European Ecodesign standards.
How much do Chinese heat pumps cost compared to European brands?
Chinese heat pumps typically cost 30-50% less than equivalent European brands. A residential air-to-water heat pump from Midea or PHNIX costs €5,000-8,000 installed in Europe, compared to €10,000-15,000 for equivalent Daikin or Vaillant systems. This price advantage has driven rapid market share gains.
Which Chinese heat pump brands are popular in Europe?
Midea, PHNIX, and Haier are the most popular Chinese heat pump brands in Europe. Midea has the widest distribution network, PHNIX specializes in pool and air-to-water heat pumps, and Haier leverages its existing appliance brand recognition. Several Chinese brands also OEM for European brands.
What is China's 'clean heating' policy?
China's 'coal-to-electricity' clean heating policy subsidizes the replacement of coal-fired heating with electric heat pumps in northern Chinese provinces. This program has been a major driver of domestic heat pump demand, with the government providing subsidies of ¥5,000-20,000 per household for heat pump installation.
Are Chinese heat pumps energy efficient?
Yes, top Chinese heat pump brands achieve COP values of 3.5-5.0 for air source models, comparable to leading European and Japanese brands. Midea, Gree, and Haier all offer inverter-driven models with A+++ energy ratings. PHNIX and other export-focused brands have obtained European Ecodesign and Keymark certifications.