Top 7 China Heater Companies 2025
China is the world's largest producer and consumer of heaters, manufacturing over 500 million heating units annually across electric heaters, gas water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and central heating equipment. The market is driven by China's vast geographic span requiring diverse heating solutions — from central heating systems in northern China to individual room heaters in southern regions where central heating is not standard. Key trends include heat pump adoption, smart connected heaters, energy efficiency upgrades, and the transition from gas to electric heating solutions.
Haier Smart Home (Water Heaters)
HVAC/heater revenue: ¥40B+ (2024)
Haier Smart Home, through its Haier Water Heater division, is China's largest water heater brand by market share. The company produces electric water heaters, gas water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and solar water heaters. Haier's smart water heaters feature IoT connectivity, anti-scale technology, and energy monitoring. The company holds approximately 25% of China's water heater market and exports to 100+ countries under the Haier, Casarte, and Leader brands.
Midea Group (Heating Division)
HVAC revenue: ¥30B+ (2024)
Midea Group is a comprehensive HVAC and heating manufacturer producing electric space heaters, electric water heaters, gas water heaters, heat pumps, and underfloor heating systems. Midea's heating products span consumer and commercial segments. The company has been investing heavily in heat pump technology for both water heating and space heating applications, aiming to capture the growing demand for energy-efficient electric heating solutions.
Gree Electric (Heat Pumps)
Revenue: ¥200B+ (total)
Gree Electric, China's largest air conditioning manufacturer, has expanded into the heat pump heating market with air-source heat pumps for space heating and water heating. Gree's heat pumps are widely deployed in China's 'coal-to-electricity' heating transition program in northern provinces, replacing coal-fired heating systems with efficient electric heat pump solutions. The company's heating products include wall-mounted heat pumps, floor-standing units, and commercial heating systems.
Vatti (华帝)
Gas heater revenue: ¥8B+ (2024)
Vatti is one of China's leading gas appliance manufacturers, specializing in gas water heaters, range hoods, gas stoves, and integrated kitchen systems. The company holds a strong position in the premium gas water heater segment with advanced condensing technology, zero-cross water mixing, and smart temperature control. Vatti's products are positioned in the mid-to-premium market segment, competing with international brands in China's gas heater market.
Vanward (万和)
Revenue: ¥8B+ (2024)
Vanward is China's largest gas water heater manufacturer by production volume, producing over 5 million gas water heaters annually. The company specializes in gas water heaters (both balanced flue and condensing types), electric water heaters, and heat pump water heaters. Vanward has been transitioning toward more energy-efficient condensing gas heaters and expanding its electric heating product line to capture the growing electric heating market in southern China.
Macro (万家乐)
Revenue: ¥5B+ (2024)
Macro is one of China's oldest and most established water heater brands, with over 40 years of manufacturing history. The company produces gas water heaters, electric water heaters, and integrated kitchen appliances. Macro was a pioneer of China's gas water heater industry and holds strong brand recognition among Chinese consumers. The company has been modernizing its product line with smart features, energy-efficient condensing technology, and integrated kitchen-heating solutions.
AUX Group ( heaters)
HVAC/heater revenue: ¥20B+ (2024)
AUX Group is a major Chinese home appliance manufacturer with significant heating product lines including electric space heaters, electric water heaters, and air-source heat pumps. The company offers a wide range of affordable electric heating solutions for the consumer market, from compact portable heaters to whole-room convection heaters. AUX has been expanding its heat pump water heater product line and smart connected heater offerings.
Comparison Table
| Company | Main Products | Revenue | Market Share | Smart Features | Energy Efficiency | Export |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier | Water heaters/HP | ¥40B+ | ~25% | IoT/Smart | A+++ | 100+ countries |
| Midea | Multi-heater | ¥30B+ | ~20% | AI/Nest | A+++ | Global |
| Gree | Heat pumps/AC | ¥200B+ | ~18% | Smart AC | A+++ | Global |
| Vatti | Gas heaters | ¥8B+ | ~10% | Smart temp | A++ | Growing |
| Vanward | Gas water H | ¥5B+ | ~12% | Basic smart | A++ | Limited |
| Macro | Gas/electric WH | ¥5B+ | ~8% | Basic smart | A++ | Limited |
| AUX | Electric heaters | ¥20B+ | ~7% | App control | A++ | Growing |
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of heaters are popular in China?
China's heater market includes several major categories: (1) Electric water heaters — storage tank type, most common nationwide, brands like Haier, Midea; (2) Gas water heaters — instant/tankless, popular in southern cities, brands like Vanward, Vatti, Macro; (3) Heat pump water heaters — energy-efficient, growing rapidly, brands like Haier, Midea, Gree; (4) Electric space heaters — portable fan heaters, radiant heaters, and oil-filled radiators for southern China; (5) Air-source heat pumps — replacing coal heating in northern China under 'coal-to-electricity' policy; (6) Underfloor electric heating — emerging segment for new residential construction.
How big is China's heater market?
China's total heater market (water heaters + space heaters + heat pumps) exceeds ¥200 billion annually. Water heaters alone account for ¥80+ billion, with electric water heaters holding approximately 45% market share, gas water heaters 35%, and heat pump water heaters 20% and growing. The space heater segment is worth approximately ¥40 billion, concentrated in southern China where central heating is not available. The heat pump market (both water and space heating) is the fastest-growing segment at 20%+ annual growth.
Why doesn't southern China have central heating?
China's central heating system historically covers only areas north of the Qinling-Huaihe Line, which includes Beijing, Tianjin, and most of northern China. Southern China provinces (including Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, and Chongqing) do not have municipal central heating infrastructure, though winter temperatures can drop to near freezing. This creates a massive market for individual room heaters, electric blankets, air conditioners with heating functions, and increasingly, air-source heat pumps. There has been growing public discussion about extending central heating to southern regions, but costs and infrastructure challenges remain significant.
What is China's coal-to-electricity heating policy?
China's 'coal-to-electricity' (煤改电) policy, launched in 2016 as part of the air pollution Action Plan, subsidizes the replacement of coal-fired heating systems with electric heat pumps and electric heaters in northern Chinese cities and rural areas. The program has covered 15+ million households to date, with government subsidies covering 60-80% of equipment costs. The policy has driven massive demand growth for air-source heat pumps, with companies like Gree, Midea, and Haier being primary beneficiaries. The program targets completing northern China's heating transition by 2030.
What are China's energy efficiency standards for heaters?
China's energy efficiency standards for heaters are set by the GB (National Standard) system: (1) GB 21519 — Energy efficiency grades for electric storage water heaters (Grade 1 being most efficient); (2) GB 20665 — Efficiency requirements for gas water heaters; (3) GB 37478 — Heat pump water heater efficiency standards. China's minimum energy efficiency requirements have been progressively tightened, and the government's energy label system helps consumers compare products. China's dual carbon goals (peak carbon by 2030, carbon neutral by 2060) are driving further efficiency improvements across all heating product categories.