Decarbonizing Europe's Heating with Heat Pumps

This report presents an explorative study on the potential of avoided emissions in Europe through the use of heat pumps, specifically focusing on the Danfoss compressor VZN175. The study outlines how the VZN175 can avoid 477 tons of CO₂ over its lifetime compared to traditional gas boilers. It details the methodology used, which includes assumptions about future electricity and gas systems, and the importance of location-based emission factors. The report emphasizes the role of heat pumps in addressing energy consumption and emissions in the building sector, which accounts for a significant portion of global energy-related emissions. It discusses the efficiency of the VZN175 compressor, which achieves a seasonal efficiency of 194%, and compares it to conventional gas boilers. The report also highlights the need for further studies to refine the data and acknowledges the uncertainty in the numbers presented. Overall, the findings support the transition to heat pumps as a viable solution for reducing emissions in the heating sector across various European countries.