New European Edition of the Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water 2026: Significant Differences in Energy Efficiency, Emissions, and Heating Costs Across Europe

Eschborn, October 1, 2026. Overall, the energy transition in Europe is making progress, but a look at the building sector reveals a mixed picture: While some countries are already heavily relying on climate-friendly energy sources and digital consumption tracking, there is still a need for action elsewhere. The European edition of the Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water 2026 provides insights into the European multifamily housing stock for the first time as a standalone study. For the study, Techem analyzed data from the past year on approximately 47,000 buildings with about 1.1 million apartments in up to 17 selected European countries. The results of the Europe Atlas show which energy sources currently dominate the heating supply, how much consumption, emissions, and heating costs vary between individual countries, and what role digitalization and consumption transparency play in the European heating sector. 

An overview of the key findings of the Techem Europe Atlas 2026: 

• Significant differences in the energy efficiency of buildings across Europe: There are marked differences in energy consumption per unit area among European countries. The Netherlands has the lowest specific consumption across all energy sources, averaging values equivalent to German efficiency class B. In some cases, values equivalent to efficiency class A are even achieved. In Italy, by contrast, consumption levels are the highest in Europe. District heating and heating oil there reach only German efficiency class D, while natural gas and wood reach only efficiency class E. The results also show that a uniform European definition of efficiency classes would be technically advisable and feasible.
  
  
• Germany is among the countries with the highest heating costs: The average space heating costs per apartment in Germany are among the highest in Europe and, along with Switzerland, rank at the top of the country comparison analyzed. By contrast, the lowest heating costs are found in Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In a direct comparison of energy sources, the data also show that district heating results in the highest average heating costs in many countries – followed by natural gas and heating oil. “A European comparison reveals significant differences in heating costs among the countries studied. The results highlight just how important the respective framework conditions are for heat supply. The structure of energy systems, the degree of digitization, and transparency regarding consumption also have a decisive influence. This is precisely where the greatest opportunities for greater energy efficiency and lower emissions in the building sector lie.” says Patrick Molck-Ude, CEO of Techem International.
  
  
• District heating and natural gas dominate Europe’s heating supply: District heating (52 percent) and natural gas (32 percent) are by far the most important energy sources for heating apartment buildings across Europe. Together, they supply more than 80 percent of all apartments. District heating plays a particularly significant role in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. In each of these countries, more than 90 percent of apartments are heated via district heating systems. In Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, on the other hand, natural gas remains the most important energy source.
  
  
• Significant potential for heat pump use in Europe’s multifamily housing stock: The study shows that a substantial portion of Europe’s multifamily housing stock is already technically suitable for operation with low-temperature systems and thus for the use of heat pumps. In the countries examined, depending on the nation and considering a possible replacement of radiators, between approximately 65 and 90 percent of heating systems are compatible with low-temperature operation. Germany has the greatest potential in this regard, followed by Austria and Italy.
  
  
• Digitization is progressing, but there is still room for improvement: The digitization of consumption metering has advanced across Europe. On average, 92.8 percent of metering devices are already wireless. The proportion of devices that can be read entirely remotely has reached 81.6 percent across Europe. Techem supports its customers throughout Europe in actively driving forward the digitization of consumption metering. Spain, the Netherlands, and Norway are leading the way in this area, where more than 97 percent of meters can already be read entirely remotely. At the same time, the analysis shows that some countries still need to make investments to meet the requirements of the European Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) for full remote meter reading by January 1, 2027. In particular, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, and Slovakia - as well as Switzerland, as a non-EU country - still have work to do. In these countries, less than 55 percent of metering devices are fully remotely readable.
  
  
• Transparency in energy consumption reduces emissions: Scientific studies show that usage-based heating bills can lead to average energy savings of about 20 percent. This is due to more conscious and energy-efficient user behavior. For an average apartment, this corresponds to an annual reduction of approximately 364 kg of CO₂e. Based on the building portfolio managed by Techem, this translates to a total annual reduction of approximately 6.2 million metric tons of CO₂e. 

Patrick Molck-Ude comments: “Our data makes it clear: The energy and heating transition in Europe will not be determined by a single technology. A key lever lies in the digitalization of the building stock. Cloud-based remote meter reading and the transparent provision of consumption data lay the foundation for managing energy consumption more effectively, tapping into efficiency potential, and reducing emissions. This requires transparency, valid data, and a fact-based view of the building stock. This is precisely the contribution the Techem Europe Atlas aims to make.” 

Additional Information: 
On this page, you’ll find the European edition of the Atlas and our English press release. 

Image information: New European Edition of the Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water 2026: Significant Differences in Energy Efficiency, Emissions, and Heating Costs Across Europe (Image source: Techem).

About the Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water: 
The Techem Atlas for Energy, Heat & Water is published annually and offers a comprehensive analysis of energy consumption, emissions, and digitalization in the German and European building stock. The data set covers approximately 94,000 buildings with about 1.1 million apartments in Germany. The Techem Europe Atlas is based on data from approximately 47,000 buildings with about 1.1 million apartments in up to 17 European countries. The goal is to create transparency, make progress measurable, and identify concrete courses of action for the heating transition.