Europe Hot Water Cylinders Market Size - By Pressure System, By Heating Source Configuration, By Material, By Capacity Range, By End Use, By Distribution Channel, Growth Forecast, 2025 – 2034

Europe Hot Water Cylinders Market Size

The Europe hot water cylinders market was estimated at USD 4.3 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 4.7 billion in 2025 to USD 6.9 billion in 2034, at a CAGR of 4.9% according to latest report published by Global Market Insights Inc.

The European market for hot water cylinders is undergoing rapid change, influenced by a combination of sustainability goals, consumer preferences, and technological advancements. Across the continent, residential and commercial users have been shifting away from their traditional heating systems toward celebrated substitutes, that guarantee reliability, efficiency, and sustainability. Much of this shift has been caused by increasingly stringent building regulations and EU directives that are looking towards energy performance and carbon reductions regarding heating. As such, modern cylinders have transitioned from being energy supplies to definitions of utility and social purpose through a sustainability context. Hence, this means cylinders are being defined through a sustainability lens.
 

Innovations in insulation, smart controls, and use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and heat pumps, are currently being communicated to the marketplace by manufacturers. All those efficiencies support reduced usage of energy, but they are also aligned with connected homes as remote monitoring and automatic scheduling often now come to standard.
 

With the amount of renovation occurring in the market, replacing systems, and modern systems providing greater durability and lower life-cycle costs, there are strong consumer preferences. The marketplace is increasingly competitive, with flagship brands advancing in enhanced materials and a type of connected user offering that is generating new distinctions in their cylinders and practicing installation materials. Though installation costs are higher upfront, government incentives and rebates in multiple European nations continue to help mitigate those costs for consumers investing in greater efficiencies.

Europe Hot Water Cylinders Market Trends

The European hot water cylinder industry is currently undergoing a dynamic transformation, influenced by evolving energy policies, technological advancements, and shifting consumer preferences towards sustainability and efficiency.
 

• Focus on Energy Efficiency: The enforcement of strict European legislation like the ErP Directive creates demand for cylinders that have better insulation and reduced heat loss. This means manufacturers will have to develop new materials and new designs for optimal thermal performance and energy consumption and regulatory compliance.
   
• Heat Pumps & Integration: The continued adoption of heat pumps throughout Europe will create a requirement for compatible hot water cylinders. Usually, these cylinders are bigger and designed specifically to operate with the lower flow temperatures which are characteristic of the heat pumps creating an efficient system overall.
   
• Smart & Connected Cylinders: In addition to smart appliances here are hot water cylinders that embrace smart tech and now integrate id with the benefits of IoT. Doing so allows the user to optimize the heating schedule based on their demand, control the heater remotely, and monitor their use and energy carbon tax
   
• Hybrid Compatibility: There has been much interest in combining different heat sources and using solar thermal, traditional boilers, etc. in the same system. This has created more demand for multi-coil or twin-coil cylinders which efficiently use and deploy energy, combining different energy sources for heating and applications.
   

Europe Hot Water Cylinders Market Analysis

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Based on Pressure System, the market is divided into sealed system and open system. The sealed system generated a revenue of USD 3.5 billion in 2024.
 

• The chillers segment is the largest and most significant part of the hot water cylinders market due to their need for large scale cooling applications. Chillers are used in virtually all commercial buildings, industrial settings and data centers where temperature control is essential.
   
• The same environment also gives rise to equipment that is expected to run efficiently at heavy cooling loads, and this is where drives can be used as chillers operate at variable speed, optimize energy inputs and down running costs. Energy efficiency obviously continues to be a top of mind issue across Europe and the function of drives as a supporting element for chillers complements its sustainability and regulatory mandate for compliance- making drives an essential part of any modern HVAC system.
   
• A further benefit to this already positive circumstance is the associated advancements in-chiller technology. Manufacturers have been utilizing - in some cases already superior controls and connectivity to allow for chillers to interface with building management systems.
   
• As urbanization progresses and high-performance buildings emerge, chillers remain the central cooling platform for most systems - the compatibility of hot water cylinders will keep these products demand in line with each market segment.
   

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Based on material, the market is segmented into copper, stainless steel, and enameled steel. The stainless steel segment held around 47% of the market share in 2024.
 

• The stainless steel category has the largest share in the European hot water cylinder market due to strength, corrosion resistance, and ability to withstand higher pressure and higher variations in temperature. Hot water cylinders made of stainless steel are ideal for heating systems of present-day applications, especially where the water is hard, and corrosion will be an issue.
   
• Stainless steel is particularly attractive for residential and commercial users due to a longer life, lower maintenance costs, and a rapidly growing trend towards energy savings and premium heating solutions that is driving demand, particularly when used with renewable energy systems such as solar thermal systems.
   
• Copper is the second largest category based on market share due to its great thermal conductivity, which leads to fast heated water and energy transfer. Copper cylinders are also inherently resistant to bacterial growth due to the nature of copper, making it a source preferred by the market for hygienic water storage.
   
• Copper is generally more expensive than other raw materials, but for many consumers, the performance potential and reliability it offers still justify the premium. That said, the market share of copper is increasing slower than stainless steel, which may be due to relatively higher raw material costs, and it is more prone to certain types of corrosion in aggressive water conditions, which may limit its growth in the market.
   

Based on the distribution channel, the Europe hot water cylinders market is segmented into direct sales and indirect sales. Indirect sales dominate the market with highest market share.
 

• In the European hot water cylinders sector, there is a significant prevalence of indirect sales versus direct sales. Typically, indirect channels are distributors, wholesalers, and retailers which are very well established throughout European countries. The notable dominance of indirect sales is attributed to the market's fragmented structure and the preference from the consumer to purchase hot water cylinders via multi-brand retailers and specialized plumbing suppliers.
   
• These channels tend to be more desirable from both the consumer standpoint and from the manufacturer standpoint because they provide increased reach, localized support and service, branded marketing after the sale, and installation support.
   
• In addition, as an indirect channel, logistics, transportation, insurance, and guarantees are passed on to the indirect channel, allowing the manufacturer to focus more heavily on innovation and compliance with EU energy efficiency legislation. The strength of distribution networks, particularly in countries like Germany, the UK, and France, is a further reason for utilizing the indirect channel for market grant and penetration.
   
• Direct sales, while increasing with both consumers and manufacturers, are still secondary to refer to operationally higher costs and limited scalability. To reach a consumer in a direct to consumer model requires direct investment and infrastructure, marketing and logistics. Often, the limited repertoire of the manufacturers variety of brands into the market effectively hampers profit potential and puts an extra burden on manufacturers considering market conditions and consumer experience needs.
   

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In Europe hot water cylinders market, Germany leads the 21% share in 2024 and is expected to grow at 5.3% during the forecast period.
 

• Germany leads the European hot water cylinder industry due to its advanced heating infrastructure, strong manufacturing base, and strict energy efficiency regulations. The country’s proactive adoption of EU sustainability directives has driven the integration of high-performance cylinders with renewable systems like solar thermal and heat pumps.
   
• German consumers and businesses prioritize quality, durability, and compliance, fostering demand for premium solutions. Additionally, global leaders such as Viessmann and Vaillant, headquartered in Germany, reinforce its role as a hub for innovation and technological leadership in heating solutions.
   
• Poland is the fastest-growing market, driven by urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and government initiatives promoting energy-efficient heating. The surge in residential construction and renovation projects has led to the replacement of outdated systems with modern hot water cylinders.
   
• Local manufacturers, including Galmet and Kospel, are capitalizing on this trend by offering cost-effective, efficient solutions tailored to regional needs. Increasing awareness of sustainability and incentives for eco-friendly products further boost market growth. Poland’s shift toward modernization and energy optimization positions it as a key growth hotspot in Europe, reflecting a strong demand for advanced heating solutions.
   

Europe Hot Water Cylinders Market Share

Viessmann is leading with 10% market share. Viessmann, Vaillant Group, Ariston Thermo Group, Atlantic Group, Baxi hold around 30%, indicating moderately fragmented market concentration. These prominent players are proactively involved in strategic endeavors, such as mergers & acquisitions, facility expansions & collaborations, to expand their product portfolios, extend their reach to a broad customer base, and strengthen their market position.
 

Europe Hot Water Cylinders Market Companies

Major players operating in the Europe hot water cylinders industry are:

• Kingspan Group
• Viessmann
• Vaillant Group
• A.O. Smith Water Products
• Ariston Thermo Group
• Atlantic Group
• Baxi Heating
• Gledhill Water Storage
• Telford Copper & Stainless Cylinders
• OSO Hotwater
• Galmet
• Kospel
• Fleck
• Vulcano
• NIBE
   
• Atlantic Group is an important business in the manufacturing sector in France with a substantial product portfolio of heating and hot water solutions, such as electric and thermodynamic hot water cylinders. Their focus on functionality, energy savings, and having exclusive ranges of their product for some European markets is key to their competitiveness.
   
• Baxi has been a well-known European heating manufacturer historically with an extensive range of hot water cylinders that are usually combined with their boilers. Their longstanding reputation for reliability, product range and installer support has historically ensured a significant market share in hot water cylinders.
   
• The Vaillant Group is a global leader in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning technology, and has a wide range of hot water cylinders, particularly those associated with renewable energy systems. Their brand recognition, distribution network and commitment to innovative, energy efficient technologies, enables their substantial share of the market in Europe.
   
• Viessmann is a well-known global company manufacturing heating, industrial and cooling systems, including a complete line of hot water cylinders. Their emphasis on energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy, and the engineering quality of their products, positions them as one of the top companies in the European marketplace of sustainable hot water applications.
   
• The Ariston Thermo Group focuses on water heating and heating products that include electric, gas, and solar hot water cylinders. Their global outreach and continued innovation in smart and energy efficient water heating solutions will continue to secure their standing in the marketplace in various countries in Europe.
   

Europe Hot Water Cylinders Industry News

• In January 2025, STIEBEL ELTRON opened a new 2,300 m² production hall in Poprad, Slovakia, for manufacturing wall-mounted hot water cylinders starting 2025. This is going to help the company in nearly doubling cylinder output and achieving profitable automation through concentrated production.
   
• In January 2025, STIEBEL ELTRON UK launched a compact system cylinder range (180-300 litres) with pre-plumbed, plug-and-play integration for air-source heat pumps. This is going to help the company in simplifying installation for UK installers and accelerating heat pump adoption in space-constrained residential applications.
   
• In November 2024, Panasonic launched a new €2.6 million production line at its Pilsen, Czech Republic factory for the Big Aquarea heat pump range. This is going to help the company in meeting rising European demand for large-capacity heating solutions using natural refrigerants and expanding regional manufacturing capacity.
   
• In October 2024, Viessmann Generations Group acquired GRITEC to strengthen its position in the European energy transition market. This is going to help the company in accelerating decarbonization capabilities and expanding its heating and hot water solutions portfolio across Germany and Europe.
   
• In April 2024, Viessmann Climate Solutions began series production of the Vitocal 262-A hot water heat pump using R290 refrigerant at its Faulquemont, France facility. This is going to help the company in targeting over 30,000 units annually and meeting EU F-Gas regulations with low-GWP solutions.
   

The Europe hot water cylinders market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Thousand Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, by Pressure System

• Open system
• Sealed system

Market, by Heat Source Configuration

• Direct (electric only)
• Indirect single coil
• Indirect twin coil
• Multi-coil (3+ coils)
• Heat pump optimized

Market, by Material

• Copper
• Stainless Steel (Duplex)
• Enamelled Steel

Market, by Capacity Range

• 60-120l (small)
• 150-210l (medium)
• 250-300l (large residential)
• 400-500l (xl residential/small commercial)
• 500-3000l (commercial/industrial)

Market, by End Use

• Residential new build
• Residential retrofit/replacement
• Commercial (small-medium)
• Industrial/large commercial

Market, by Distribution Channel

• Direct sales
• Indirect sales

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• Germany
• UK
• Poland
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Sweden
• Portugal
• Ireland