Emissions and Efficiency Limits of Small-Scale Biomass Heating Systems: Regulations, Standards, and Ecolabels

Abstract

The household sector has a significant role in the consumption of energy resources and related emissions. The household sector is responsible for around 1/3 of the total energy resource consumption in Latvia. This study aims to determine the level of control measures regarding household boilers by summarising the existing information on legislation and quality labels regulating the efficiency and emissions of household boilers in the EU. The focus is on PM emissions and small-scale heating system regulations in Latvia. The study shows that small-scale biomass heating systems lack proper control measures to limit created emissions. The situation regarding PM emissions is the worst in Latvia, in comparison to the EU and 8 other studied countries.

Keywords

• biomass heating systems
• energy labelling
• greenhouse gas emissions
• particulate matter