The Economic Effects of New Patterns of Energy Efficiency and Heat Sources in Rural Single-Family Houses in Poland

Krzysztof Księżopolski, Mirosław Drygas, Kamila Pronińska and Iwona Nurzyńska
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Krzysztof Księżopolski: Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of Socio-Economics, 02-554 Warsaw, Poland
Mirosław Drygas: Department of European Integration, Institute of Rural and Agriculture Development, Polish Academy of Sciences, 00-330 Warsaw, Poland
Kamila Pronińska: Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, University of Warsaw, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland
Iwona Nurzyńska: Independent Researcher, 00-330 Warsaw, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-19

Abstract: In the face of severe air pollution and implementation of energy and climate policy, it remains a challenge to develop effective strategies addressing the problem of solid fuels use in single-family houses (SFH) in rural areas in Poland. This study investigated the correlations between thermal modernization of SFH, the changes of heat sources from coal to clean energy, including heat pumps driven by prosumers’ photovoltaic (PV) installation, and the disposable income of households in Polish rural areas. It also provided an analysis of the current support mechanisms promoting energy efficiency and PV development. The application of simulation modelling of energy consumption and costs in the research has proved that comprehensive thermal modernization of rural SFH constructed in the period of 1945–1970 and investments supporting PV/heat pump systems would enable the most cost-effective way of heating to be implemented. Considering that, today, spending on energy for heat puts a burden on the budget of rural households, especially those living in the SFH aged 50 years and more that dominate rural areas in Poland, the changes in energy supply–demand patterns would be an enhancement of their economic, energy and environmental security. The research argued that, in the wider process of energy transformation and solving air pollution problems, the role of rural households should not be neglected in public policy.

Keywords: rural areas; energy efficiency; photovoltaic systems; energy security; support mechanisms; public policy; energy policy; prosumer energy; single-family houses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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