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The environmental performance of nationwide heat pump deployment in residential buildings in Germany.

Author(s) : VERING C., ZIBUNAS C., TESSAREK F., ROMBERG H., HÖGES C., ASSEN N. von der, MÜLLER D.

Type of article: Periodical article

Summary

In the heating sector, exchanging boilers with heat pumps is expected to yield significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thus being a cornerstone of the energy transition. Reinforcing GHG reductions, the F-Gas and REACH regulations restrict the use of high global warming potential and fluorinated refrigerants. However, switching to heat pumps can cause burden shifting to other environmental impact categories, potentially compromising overall sustainability. Therefore, we holistically evaluate the climate change mitigation potential and burden shifting simultaneously, providing a life cycle assessment for 16 impact categories. A refrigerant-dependent heat pump and building performance simulation model enables five sound case studies comparing mitigation strategies in Germany. Increasing access to renewable electricity is the key to mitigating climate change (up to −91%) and cutting burden shifting down to five categories. Renewable electricity outshines building efficiencies, heat pump efficiencies, and refrigerant choice, which should be considered when providing information for adequate energy transition incentives and regulations.

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Pages: 23 p.

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  • Original title: The environmental performance of nationwide heat pump deployment in residential buildings in Germany.
  • Record ID : 30034163
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology, Environment
  • Source: Cell Reports Sustainability - vol. 2
  • Publication date: 2025/08
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2025.100461

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