Determining the energy needs of households in Slovakia.
This category represents a significant challenge in emission inventories for many countries, including Slovakia. A large share of Slovak households uses their own combustion appliances for heating. Household emissions are estimated based on international methodological guidelines, adapted to national conditions. The methodology is based on calculating emissions from fuels consumed for space heating and hot water production in households. Minimum data are recorded for biomass consumption in households.
To achieve the most accurate consumption estimates, a principle based on the total household energy demand per unit of floor area (m²) is used. Calculations incorporate data on known fuel consumption, information on dwellings, the share of households connected to district heating, and climatological factors. Once fuel consumption is estimated, emissions are calculated using emission factors for different appliances used for heating and hot water.
Since 2017, Slovakia has conducted three surveys to more accurately determine emissions from households with individual solid fuel heating. These surveys provide data to better balance fuel use in households with individual heating systems. The surveys offer information on home renovations, energy sources used for heating and hot water, purchases and consumption of various fuels, technical condition and structure of combustion appliances, and heating practices in households primarily using solid fuels. Based on this information, collected in collaboration with the Slovak Statistical Office, household emissions can be determined with higher accuracy. The data allow for more accurate estimates of biomass and fossil fuel consumption, enabling a more precise calculation of greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions from the household sector.
Methodologies for projecting emissions are based on outputs from the CPS model, the Institute for Environmental Policy (IEP), and in accordance with the updated National Energy and Climate Plan (2025). Additional information was obtained from household surveys, and newly implemented and planned measures were considered. These inputs have improved datasets with estimates of natural improvements in household structures and heating appliances.