Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → News

Netherlands wants to ban fossil fuel heating systems from 2026

It’s the latest in a series of policies rolled out by European countries seeking to wean themselves off Russian fossil fuels

Fermin Koop by Fermin Koop
May 20, 2022
in Climate, Environment, News, Science

For generations, natural gas has provided the Netherlands with cheap heating for homes and offices. Over 90% of households use gas for heating, making it the only country in Europe with more gas-connected houses than the UK. But production has been dropping for years, forcing the Netherlands to rely on gas partly imported from Russia.

The Netherlands was taking slow steps to change its heating system, but now, Russia’s Ukraine invasion has forced the Dutch government to reconsider and accelerate its energy plans. The Dutch government announced it won’t allow new fossil fuel-centric heating system installations starting in 2026. Instead, hybrid heat pumps will become the norm for new buildings and renovations that need a heating system replacement.

Image credit: Wikipedia Commons.

A hybrid heat pump is a combination of a heat pump that stores warm air or water and a central heating boiler. Their use can save up to 60% on natural gas consumption, according to estimations by the Dutch government. In homes that are well insulated, residents could even go for fully electric heat pumps, which use no natural gas at all.

“The urgency of sustainability is great, and the pace must be increased. It is also better for everyone’s wallet if we use less natural gas,” Hugo de Jonge, Minister for Housing, said in a statement. “That is why the cabinet wants the hybrid heat pump to become the standard from 2026 when the central heating boiler needs to be replaced.”

An energy shift

The government’s approach mirrors those of other countries, especially now as European leaders seek to wean themselves off of Russian fossil fuels in response to the unprovoked war. The UK government, for example, is giving out subsidies of over $6,000 to help homeowners install 90,000 heat pumps over the next three years.

Thomas Nowak, secretary-general at the European Heat Pump Alliance (EHPA), said in a statement the Dutch government’s announcement is “the right step at the right time.” Nowak said manufacturers are already investing in upscaling their production, which will give customers a larger variety to choose from and will also allow greater competition.

Still, delivering on the new plan will require a big shift for Dutch citizens, used to relying on natural gas for their energy demand. To help make the transition, the government will provide $158 million every year until 2030 to lower the costs. Extra assistance will also be available through the country’s National Heat Fund, which already issues loans.

Installing a hybrid heat pump currently costs about $6,000, while a fully electric heat pump reaches $20,000, according to the Dutch homeowners association Vereningen Eigen Huis (VEH). While supporting the switch, VEH said the government’s plan will only be successful if it’s affordable for citizens, who will have to be supported.

While it might not be the main reason behind the government’s plan, scaling up heat pumps also holds a lot of promise for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In a 2018 study for the Natural Resources Defense Council, researchers found switching to heat pumps for heating could reduce emissions from California households by half.

Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Related posts:
  1. Fossil-free steel by 2026: company decision could slash Sweden’s emissions by 10%
  2. NASA wants to put a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2026
  3. State of New York to ban new fossil fuel vehicle sales by 2035
  4. Netherlands wants to cut livestock herd by millions
  5. A city in the Netherlands becomes world first to ban meat adverts from public spaces
Tags: Netherlands

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW