European Heat Pump Association (EHPA)
The interests of the heat pump industry are represented at a European level by the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA). The Brussels-based EHPA was set up in 2000 and now has 61 members from 21 countries. In Karl Ochsner, the owner and managing partner of OCHSNER Wärmepumpen GmbH and chairman of the Austrian Heat Pump Federation (BWP), the European Heat Pump Association has had an Austrian as its president since 2006.
The European Heat Pump Association has as its vision to make the heat pump the preferred heating and cooling system. The association's specific aim is to raise the sales figures in the various countries correspondingly to enable available primary energy and CO2 savings to be achieved in the countries and thus for Europe. A variety of strategies is available to put this into practice. One absolutely essential factor in this is to make clear both to consumers and also at government level that the ambient heat used by heat pumps is renewable energy originating from solar power.
The EHPA's activities therefore centre on lobbying in Brussels because this is where all the new regulations arise that are later implemented in national laws.
European Heat Pump Association (EHPA)
Rue du Congrès 35
B-1000 Brussels
E-mail: info@ehpa.org
Internet: 
www.ehpa.org
Bundesverband WärmePumpe BWP e.V. (German Heat Pump Association - BWP)
The BWP is the representative body for the heat pump sector in Germany. 95 per cent of German heat pump manufacturers, around 45 supply companies and over 300 installer companies and specifiers are members of the association, which was set up in 1993. The BWP is currently, therefore, the largest representative body for the heat pump sector in Europe.
The BWP's aim is to increase the proportion of heat pump heating systems in new-build properties to at least 20 per cent. A 5 per cent market share is the target in the heating system upgrade sector. The BWP would like to achieve this goal through its function as the interface between manufacturers, installers, energy supply companies and clients and by raising awareness of the environmental benefits of heat pumps. The association can also call on significant technical expertise and plays an important role in educating clients, opinion leaders and decision-makers both regionally and nationally through personal contacts, events and information.
Paul Warnig is the chairman of the Berlin-based BWP, and its CEO is Karl-Heinz Stawiarski.
Bundesverband WärmePumpe (BWP) e. V.
Charlottenstrasse 24 / Tuteur Haus
10117 Berlin
E-mail: info@waermepumpe.de
Internet: www.waermepumpe.de
Bundesverband WärmePumpe Austria (Austrian Heat Pump Federation - BWP)
The Austrian Heat Pump Federation is the body representing the leading manufacturers of heat pumps in Austria. The BWP's vision is to further expand the good position of heat pump technology in Austria. The goal is to make 45 PJ energy available with heat pumps by 2020. 75% of all new single- and multi-occupancy homes and half of all old heating systems will have been replaced by new heat pumps by then. This vision is to be achieved by creating and safeguarding an optimum framework of conditions, by lobbying and PR, and by working in conjunction with business, universities and national and international organisations.
The Austrian Heat Pump Federation was set up in 2003. Its president is Karl Ochsner, owner and managing partner of OCHSNER Wärmepumpen GmbH. Karl Ochsner is also the president of the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA). This dual role is beneficial is promoting good international cooperation with other associations and organisations of relevance to the heat pump sector.
Bundesverband WärmePumpe
Wiedner Haupstrasse 63,
1045 Wien
E-mail: info@bwp.at
Internet: www.bwp.at