The Heat Pumps Watch spin-off sees its mission as making science comprehensible and providing independent, evidence-based information so that homeowners, professionals, and policymakers can make safe and informed decisions. “In twenty years as a scientist, manager, and lecturer, I have increasingly realized that the hurdles of the heat transition are less technical in nature. The biggest obstacle is a lack of trust in the heat pump technology. We want to remedy this with easily accessible information,” explained Dr. Marek Miara on European Heat Pump Day, sharing his motivation for founding the organization.

Marek Miara has been working as a scientist at Fraunhofer ISE since 2003 and is closely linked to heat pump research there. In recent years, he has focused on communicating project results, including through a blog series. The spin-off enables Miara to intensify this work and expand it to encompass research on heat pumps beyond the Fraunhofer ISE findings.

“Without a successful heat transition, there can be no successful climate transition, as over 50 percent of final energy consumption in Germany is attributed to heat,” said Prof. Dr. Peter Schossig, Head of the Heat and Buildings Department at Fraunhofer ISE and advisory board member at Heat Pumps Watch. “The electrification through heat pumps is crucial in this regard. Research institutions worldwide are continuously generating new insights. Heat Pumps Watch collects these and presents them in an understandable manner for various target groups.”

The organization’s first initiative is an 18-part series addressing the most frequently asked questions about heat pumps, supported by the Climate Neutrality Foundation. This series explains the facts concerning various aspects, from heat pumps in existing buildings to possibilities for AI integration.

Heat Pumps Watch is strategically supported by an advisory board. Experts Jan Rosenow, Tanja Loitz, Thomas Nowak, Anja Floetenmeyer-Woltmann, and Peter Schossig represent critical viewpoints from the fields of non-profit work, end consumers, industry, communication, and research and development.