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Environmental Assessment of Residential Space Heating and Cooling Technologies in Europe: A Review of 11 European Member States

Author

Listed:
  • Riccardo Fraboni

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Gianluca Grazieschi

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Simon Pezzutto

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Benjamin Mitterrutzner

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Eric Wilczynski

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

Abstract

Greenhouse gas emissions have reached critical levels and climate change is threatening the globe. Thus, the space heating and cooling sector is striving to decarbonize assets through higher efficiency and renewable energy adoption for 2030 and 2050. This article reviewed data about the environmental impact and the primary energy consumption of 27 space heating and cooling technologies for the residential sector as if they were adopted in 11 different European member states: Austria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Sweden. Direct emissions from the machineries and upstream indirect emissions from the energy carriers were considered. The analysis indicates that the adoption of renewable energy-powered technologies should be prioritized due to the significantly lower emissions related to these technologies. Notably, the emissions of electricity-powered technologies, if not driven by the direct self-consumption of renewable energy systems, highly depend on the region of adoption: in specific cases, such as in Poland, Cyprus, and Estonia, they can even exceed the emissions of coal-powered technologies. These countries should speed up the adoption of decarbonization policies regarding the residential sector to close the gap with the other EU member states and provide their contribution to the EU climate change goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Riccardo Fraboni & Gianluca Grazieschi & Simon Pezzutto & Benjamin Mitterrutzner & Eric Wilczynski, 2023. "Environmental Assessment of Residential Space Heating and Cooling Technologies in Europe: A Review of 11 European Member States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4288-:d:1082832
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jan Rosenow & Duncan Gibb & Samuel Thomas, 2025. "From Inefficient to Efficient Renewable Heating: A Critical Assessment of the EU Renewable Energy Directive," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Bożena Gajdzik & Magdalena Jaciow & Radosław Wolniak & Robert Wolny & Wieslaw Wes Grebski, 2023. "Energy Behaviors of Prosumers in Example of Polish Households," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-26, March.
    3. Barış Aydın & Kinga Stecuła & Piotr Olczak & Jarosław Kulpa & Beniamin Stecuła, 2025. "Exploring the Green Horizon: Recent Research on Renewable Energy in Poland—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-35, March.
    4. Simon Pezzutto & Dario Bottino-Leone & Eric Wilczynski & Riccardo Fraboni, 2024. "Drivers and Barriers in the Adoption of Green Heating and Cooling Technologies: Policy and Market Implications for Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-20, August.

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