| Abstrakt: |
The management of solid fuel burners for domestic home heating in New Zealand is driven by the need to manage particulate concentrations, the main air contaminant of concern, although emerging air quality issues associated with domestic heating include concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene and arsenic and indoor air. Wider impacts link to energy efficiency and warm homes (from changed heating methods and improved insulation), the health impacts of indoor air quality, management of greenhouse gases for climate change mitigation and socio-economic impacts. Jurisdictional issues pose the main barrier to maximising co-benefits, although air quality management to date has been cognisant of some of these linkages, in particular acknowledging that health benefits from improved air quality will not be achieved at the expense of cold homes. Financial incentives provided to assist with cleaner heating options and home insulation attempt to address issues of cold homes, socio-economic impacts, energy efficiency and health; minimal consideration has been given to the climate change implications of heating choices. Environmental costs, including greenhouse gas impact and health impacts (arising from both air quality and cold homes) can be reduced through the selection of heating options that are greenhouse gas friendly, energy efficient, cost effective and result in minimal air pollution. Suitable heating options include use of low emission wood burners in airsheds that can sustain these burners or heat pumps where electricity is derived from renewable resources. Insulation has benefits across all areas and should be promoted. Sustaining existing linkages with energy efficiency may be compromised by the curtailment of the warm up New Zealand funding in 2013. Extension of this funding will result in environmental benefits in multiple areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
