Environmental and Economic Optimisation of Single-Family Buildings Thermomodernisation

Anna Sowiżdżał, Michał Kaczmarczyk (), Leszek Pająk, Barbara Tomaszewska, Wojciech Luboń and Grzegorz Pełka
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Anna Sowiżdżał: Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Michał Kaczmarczyk: Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Leszek Pająk: Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Barbara Tomaszewska: Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Wojciech Luboń: Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Grzegorz Pełka: Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-28

Abstract: This study offers a detailed environmental, energy, and economic evaluation of thermal modernisation options for an existing single-family home in southern Poland. A total of 24 variants, combining different heat sources (solid fuel, biomass, natural gas, and heat pumps) with various levels of building insulation, were analysed using energy performance certification methods. Results show that, from an energy perspective, the most advantageous scenarios are those utilising brine-to-water or air-to-water heat pumps supported by photovoltaic systems, reaching final energy demands as low as 43.5 kWh/m 2 year and primary energy demands of 41.1 kWh/m 2 year. Biomass boilers coupled with solar collectors delivered the highest renewable energy share (up to 99.2%); however, they resulted in less notable reductions in primary energy. Environmentally, all heat pump options removed local particulate emissions, with CO 2 reductions of up to 87.5% compared to the baseline; biomass systems attained 100% CO 2 reduction owing to renewable fuels. Economically, biomass boilers had the lowest unit energy production costs, while PV-assisted heat pumps faced the highest overall costs despite their superior environmental benefits. The findings highlight the trade-offs between ecological advantages, energy efficiency, and investment costs, offering a decision-making framework for the modernisation of sustainable residential heating systems.

Keywords: energy auditing; energy efficiency; renewable energy sources; environmental protection (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: 2025
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