Cities & Buildings Technology - 17/December/2020

How to decarbonise the building stock in Britain

Decarbonisation of heating requires switching from systems and appliances that combust fossil fuels to those that rely on renewable energy. Nowhere is the switch more challenging to achieve for existing building stock than in the UK. If it can be done there, it can be done anywhere

Space heating of buildings is a major source of carbon emissions. That need not be the case. 


PUMPING UP
The use of electric-powered heat pumps in the UK is minimal, but it is a ready-made alternative to replace individual heating systems common across the country.

FINANCIAL BARRIERS
Heat networks are more difficult to introduce in the UK's busy cities, with banks also reticent to fund these types of projects.

KEY QUOTE
Whatever decarbonisation route we take, we need to massively reduce heat demand

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