27 May 2021
|
Daikin has unveiled its four-step plan to help transform residential heating and cooling for a greener Europe.
The goal is to decrease CO2 emissions from residential buildings by raising the share of renewable heating and cooling systems to 40 per cent by 2030. This is in line with the raised goal of cutting CO2 emissions from 40% to 55% by 2030, as signed in the European Climate Law on April 21.
The majority of residential housing is still heated with outdated systems, often using polluting fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Daikin says building stock is responsible for approximately 36 per cent of all CO2 emissions in the EU. In some European countries, renewable heating via heat pumps has become the new standard in new builds.
Patrick Crombez, general manager heating and renewables at Daikin Europe, said: “A clear and accessible strategy for decarbonising residential heat is needed and renewable technologies are playing an essential role in achieving the new targets, especially in the replacement market. Daikin has adopted the ambitious new targets and takes the lead with a four-step guide to transform residential heating.”
Four steps to decarbonising residential heat
- Strengthen new build rules on energy use. Daikin estimates that heat pumps already have up to 50 per cent market share in new (single family) houses across Europe. Reinforcement of the current rules must therefore be put in place, to make heat pumps the standard.
- Increase replacement rate. In order to achieve the objectives of the European Climate Law, the replacement rate must double from 1 per cent to 2 per cent by 2030. By increasing the replacement rate, old systems are being replaced by more energy-efficient ones, leading naturally to emission cuts. The next challenge is therefore to motivate EU citizens to choose renewable solutions. This involves the need to explain on a wider scale that renewable heating systems, like heat pumps, are an efficient, cost-effective and established solution.
- End fossil fuel incentives. Daikin says policy makers should avoid incentives for fossil fuels. Currently, direct or indirect incentives benefit oil or gas-based boilers over heat pumps. They are made cheaper and more accessible, and that’s why renewable technologies also need a level playing field. The gap between today’s electricity and gas prices in many member states is too high to make heat pumps accessible for all EU citizens.
- Make renewable heating the standard in replacement. Daikin believes that heat pumps are the best solution, being increasingly capable of high efficiencies even at lower outdoor temperatures. They are therefore fit for any type of house or apartment. Using renewable energy sources to heat homes reduces the consumption of polluting fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.
Daikin aims to become a carbon-neutral company globally by 2050. Patrick Crombez added: “At Daikin we’re working on a daily basis to help making these four steps reality. Technology is in place, our investments support this. We are making sure our installer community is joining the movement. Heat pumps are the future in the replacement market and it is our duty to convince all stakeholders. All the signs are indicating that we need to act now. Words are no longer enough; clear actions are needed. This is the only way we can make Europe climate neutral by 2050.”
