Clivet Leads Europe's Green Building Push With Future-Ready Tech

LONDON, UK – April 09, 2026 – As Europe stands on the cusp of a building revolution driven by sweeping new environmental regulations, Italian HVAC manufacturer Clivet is demonstrating that the future of sustainable housing is already here. With a comprehensive roadmap for 2026, the company is leveraging a portfolio of market-ready technologies—from ultra-low-impact refrigerants to fully compliant smart automation systems—positioning itself not just as a participant, but as a leader in the continent's urgent transition to zero-emission buildings.

This proactive stance comes as the entire construction and renovation sector braces for the implementation of the European Union's revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The directive, which member states must translate into national law by May 2026, sets a new and ambitious standard for the industry, fundamentally changing how buildings are designed, operated, and powered.

Navigating Europe's New Green Building Mandate

The updated EPBD is the legislative engine behind the EU's goal of achieving a fully decarbonized building stock by 2050. It introduces two transformative requirements. First, it establishes the "Zero-Emission Building" (ZEB) as the new benchmark for all new constructions—public buildings from 2028 and all others from 2030. A ZEB is a highly efficient structure with zero on-site carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

Second, and more imminently, the directive mandates the integration of Building Automation and Control Systems (BACS) in new and extensively renovated residential buildings starting in the second quarter of 2026. These are not mere remote-control apps; BACS are intelligent networks that continuously monitor, analyze, and optimize a building's energy consumption across heating, cooling, and ventilation. Research has shown that properly implemented BACS can slash a building's energy use by a staggering 42%, turning passive structures into active participants in energy conservation.

While many manufacturers are now racing to develop compliant solutions, Clivet has already established a full suite of products and systems designed to meet these stringent new rules, moving from a position of readiness to one of market leadership.

Beyond Compliance: The Power of Integrated Automation

Clivet's core differentiator lies in its approach to building automation. The company has developed a trio of proprietary BACS platforms—CONTROL4NRG for single-family homes, and INTELLIPLANT and INTELLIAIR for multi-unit residential buildings—that are fully compliant with the incoming EPBD regulations.

"Clivet supplies both the air conditioning equipment and the proprietary BACS systems that comply with regulations," explained Luca Micheletto, head of Clivet's Digital Solutions business. "While other manufacturers only offer remote control apps that don't meet BACS requirements, we deliver complete, integrated solutions."

This integration is crucial. By providing both the high-efficiency hardware and the intelligent software that controls it, the company ensures seamless communication and optimization. The system can automatically adjust to occupancy, weather forecasts, and grid signals, ensuring maximum efficiency without requiring constant user intervention. This moves homes beyond simple compliance and into an era of genuine smart energy management, where significant cost savings and carbon reductions become an automated reality.

The Natural Refrigerant Revolution

Parallel to its automation strategy, Clivet has made significant strides in adopting environmentally benign refrigerants, tackling another major source of emissions in the HVAC industry. While many competitors are still in the planning stages of transitioning away from high-impact hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Clivet's systems using natural refrigerants are already in production and on the market.

The company's award-winning EDGE PRO heat pump range utilizes R-290, a natural propane refrigerant. With a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 3, it represents a monumental environmental improvement over conventional refrigerants, which can have GWPs in the hundreds or even thousands. The market for R-290 heat pumps is projected to grow exponentially in Europe, and Clivet's early adoption places it at the forefront of this critical shift.

Designed for versatility, the EDGE PRO operates effectively in temperatures as low as -25°C and can heat water up to 80°C, making it a viable and efficient direct replacement for outdated gas boilers in both new builds and older, radiator-equipped homes. For applications where an outdoor unit is not feasible, the company's FULLNESS system offers an all-in-one indoor solution for heating, cooling, hot water, and air purification using the low-GWP R-454C refrigerant.

A Holistic Approach to Smart and Sustainable Living

These advanced technologies are components of a broader vision Clivet calls "Smart Living." This ecosystem approach packages heat pumps, air purification, energy storage, and intelligent controls into a single, cohesive system. Products like the ELFOFRESH EVO air system exemplify this philosophy, handling up to 85% of a home's heating and cooling needs while its electronic filter removes 90% of harmful PM1 particles, including dust, viruses, and pollen.

Crucially, Clivet is also addressing practical barriers to adoption. The recent launch of its Hydro-Split systems, which separate the refrigerant circuit to an outdoor-only component, cleverly eliminates the need for installers to have a specialized F-gas license. This significantly widens the pool of qualified technicians who can install these systems, a key factor in accelerating the widespread rollout of heat pumps across the continent.

"Heat pumps are the only viable route to decarbonisation," stated Andy Taylor, General Manager for Clivet UK. "Clivet has always believed in the potential of these solutions, which is why we pay attention to every market requirement and constantly update our product catalogue."

As Europe's regulatory landscape pushes the industry toward a more sustainable future, Clivet’s 2026 roadmap shows a company that is not waiting to be pushed. By combining regulatory foresight with tangible, market-ready innovations in automation, refrigerants, and system integration, the Italian manufacturer has built a powerful foundation to help construct the zero-emission buildings that Europe urgently needs.