Carbon Emission Comparison Between Residential Heating and Cooling Options

Executive Summary Growing concern over global climate change has triggered a search for methods to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing emissions from the heating and cooling systems of the 70 plus million single family North American residential units would assist significantly in this effort. However, given the current financial strains on homeowners, it is essential to find the most cost effective manner of carbon emissions reduction possible. In this report, the carbon dioxide emissions of ground source heat pumps system, in comparison to a number of conventional residential heating and cooling systems are compared on a full source energy basis. Given that the predominant system in American residences is a conventional natural gas furnace and electric air conditioner, this constitutes the base case. The carbon emission reductions possible with higher cost system alternatives were compared in 10 widely differing locations in North America.