Energy Efficiency And CO2 Reduction In The Building Stock -The Role Of The Heat Pumps-

Europe is facing unprecedented energy challenges resulting from increased import dependency and concerns over supplies of fossil fuels worldwide. EU set therefore binding targets for 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, ensuring 20% of renewable energy sources in the energy mix and planning to reduce EU global primary energy use by 20% by 2020. Heat pumps (HPs) are among the most environmentally friendly and efficient heating technologies available. In various countries the markets have been mainly concerned with HPs for new buildings. There is a very larger potential for replacement with HPs and other competing technologies in the housing stock as well as individual domestic dwellings. If this is feasible depends on the existing building and heating systems and the cost of necessary adaptations. This paper summarizes objectives and results of the IEA HPP Annex 30 Retrofit HPs for Buildings.