Trends in greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants from the household sector have been balanced since 1990. More information on emissions trends from the household sector in Slovakia.
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions in Slovakia
Emissions from household heating are a significant source of both air pollutants and greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gas emissions are directly proportional to the consumption and type of fuels used. They are also influenced by the level of building renovation, climatic conditions, heating practices, types of fuels, and combustion equipment in use. In 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from household heating reached 2,802 Gg CO₂ eq., representing 7.8% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Slovakia. In the past, the main source of emissions was the combustion of solid fossil fuels; however, gas and biomass combustion now prevail. This shift in the fuel mix, together with improvements in the energy efficiency of Slovak households, has led to a reduction in emissions of more than 60% compared to 1990.
Total greenhouse gas emissions
Trends in air pollutant emissions in Slovakia
Emissions from household heating are a significant source of air pollutants emissions. These emissions are influenced by factors such as the level of building renovation, climatic conditions, heating practices, types of fuels, and combustion equipment used. During the combustion of solid fuels in households, in addition to the desired heat, gaseous and particulate pollutants are also produced and released into the atmosphere.
Total pollutant emissions
NOx emissions trends
Household heating is not a major source of nitrogen oxides. Emissions from households accounted for 6% of total NOx emissions.
NMVOC emissions trends
Residential heating is the main source of NMVOC emissions, accounting for up to 38.5% of total NMVOC emissions. The largest decrease occurred mainly by 2000, primarily due to home renovations and the introduction of more energy-efficient heating appliances.
SOx emissions trends
Household heating can be a significant source of sulfur oxides, especially when high-sulfur coal is used as fuel. Households produce 1.2 kt of sulfur oxides annually, accounting for 9.2% of total emissions. Due to the reduced use of coal for heating, SOx emissions have decreased by nearly 96% compared to 1990.
NH3 emissions trends
Residential heating is not a significant source of ammonia. Households produce 1.5 kt of ammonia annually, accounting for 5.6% of total emissions.
Particulate matter emissions trends
Fine aerosol particles, classified by size as PM10 and PM2.5, pose health risks. Larger particles can irritate the upper respiratory tract, while smaller particles penetrate deep into the lungs and cause more severe diseases. Households account for up to 78% of total PM2.5 emissions in Slovakia. PM10 emissions are also closely linked to this energy source segment, with households contributing up to 61% of total PM10 emissions. With gradual improvements in the thermal insulation of Slovak households, emissions of these substances are decreasing. However, in some areas with geomorphological conditions that hinder air circulation—particularly in narrow basins like Jelšava—burning mainly wet wood in high-emission household appliances can lead to severe smog episodes.
Particulate matter emissions trends
Fine aerosol particles, classified by size as PM10 and PM2.5, pose health risks. Larger particles can irritate the upper respiratory tract, while smaller particles penetrate deep into the lungs and cause more severe diseases. Households account for up to 78% of total PM2.5 emissions in Slovakia. PM10 emissions are also closely linked to this energy source segment, with households contributing up to 61% of total PM10 emissions. With gradual improvements in the thermal insulation of Slovak households, emissions of these substances are decreasing. However, in some areas with geomorphological conditions that hinder air circulation—particularly in narrow basins like Jelšava—burning mainly wet wood in high-emission household appliances can lead to severe smog episodes.
Particulate matter emissions trends
Fine aerosol particles, classified by size as PM10 and PM2.5, pose health risks. Larger particles can irritate the upper respiratory tract, while smaller particles penetrate deep into the lungs and cause more severe diseases. Households account for up to 78% of total PM2.5 emissions in Slovakia. PM10 emissions are also closely linked to this energy source segment, with households contributing up to 61% of total PM10 emissions. With gradual improvements in the thermal insulation of Slovak households, emissions of these substances are decreasing. However, in some areas with geomorphological conditions that hinder air circulation—particularly in narrow basins like Jelšava—burning mainly wet wood in high-emission household appliances can lead to severe smog episodes.
Particulate matter emissions trends
Fine aerosol particles, classified by size as PM10 and PM2.5, pose health risks. Larger particles can irritate the upper respiratory tract, while smaller particles penetrate deep into the lungs and cause more severe diseases. Households account for up to 78% of total PM2.5 emissions in Slovakia. PM10 emissions are also closely linked to this energy source segment, with households contributing up to 61% of total PM10 emissions. With gradual improvements in the thermal insulation of Slovak households, emissions of these substances are decreasing. However, in some areas with geomorphological conditions that hinder air circulation—particularly in narrow basins like Jelšava—burning mainly wet wood in high-emission household appliances can lead to severe smog episodes.
CO emissions trends
Households are the most significant source of carbon monoxide emissions. The amount of CO emitted is influenced by combustion conditions, such as combustion temperature and the amount of excess air. CO emissions can be considered a good indicator of combustion quality. Households produce 690.3 kt of CO annually, accounting for 66.4% of total emissions.
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
Heavy metals emissions trends
When households burn solid fuels, especially wood, they release not only particulate pollutants and non-methane volatile organic compounds but also heavy metals, which are harmful to both human health and ecosystems. Since 2004, households—along with pulp, paper, and printing production—have been among the largest contributors to cadmium emissions. Heavy metal emissions mainly result from burning municipal waste in household appliances not designed for this purpose. Households account for 41% of total heavy metal emissions. In addition to cadmium, households significantly contribute to chromium (Cr) emissions (26% of total emissions) and mercury (Hg) emissions (13% of total emissions).
POPs emissions trends
When biomass is burned in household heating appliances, it also produces emissions of PAHs and other persistent organic pollutants. These substances have harmful effects on human health; for example, benzo[a]pyrene is a proven carcinogen. Households account for 44% of PAH emissions and are also the main source of HCB, despite declines in the early 1990s. Emissions of persistent organic pollutants can also result from burning municipal waste or plastic bottles.
POPs emissions trends
When biomass is burned in household heating appliances, it also produces emissions of PAHs and other persistent organic pollutants. These substances have harmful effects on human health; for example, benzo[a]pyrene is a proven carcinogen. Households account for 44% of PAH emissions and are also the main source of HCB, despite declines in the early 1990s. Emissions of persistent organic pollutants can also result from burning municipal waste or plastic bottles.
POPs emissions trends
When biomass is burned in household heating appliances, it also produces emissions of PAHs and other persistent organic pollutants. These substances have harmful effects on human health; for example, benzo[a]pyrene is a proven carcinogen. Households account for 44% of PAH emissions and are also the main source of HCB, despite declines in the early 1990s. Emissions of persistent organic pollutants can also result from burning municipal waste or plastic bottles.
POPs emissions trends
When biomass is burned in household heating appliances, it also produces emissions of PAHs and other persistent organic pollutants. These substances have harmful effects on human health; for example, benzo[a]pyrene is a proven carcinogen. Households account for 44% of PAH emissions and are also the main source of HCB, despite declines in the early 1990s. Emissions of persistent organic pollutants can also result from burning municipal waste or plastic bottles.
POPs emissions trends
When biomass is burned in household heating appliances, it also produces emissions of PAHs and other persistent organic pollutants. These substances have harmful effects on human health; for example, benzo[a]pyrene is a proven carcinogen. Households account for 44% of PAH emissions and are also the main source of HCB, despite declines in the early 1990s. Emissions of persistent organic pollutants can also result from burning municipal waste or plastic bottles.
POPs emissions trends
When biomass is burned in household heating appliances, it also produces emissions of PAHs and other persistent organic pollutants. These substances have harmful effects on human health; for example, benzo[a]pyrene is a proven carcinogen. Households account for 44% of PAH emissions and are also the main source of HCB, despite declines in the early 1990s. Emissions of persistent organic pollutants can also result from burning municipal waste or plastic bottles.
POPs emissions trends
When biomass is burned in household heating appliances, it also produces emissions of PAHs and other persistent organic pollutants. These substances have harmful effects on human health; for example, benzo[a]pyrene is a proven carcinogen. Households account for 44% of PAH emissions and are also the main source of HCB, despite declines in the early 1990s. Emissions of persistent organic pollutants can also result from burning municipal waste or plastic bottles.
Trends in household emissions by fuel types
Trends in greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions from the household sector by fuel types have been balanced since 2014.
Emissions by fuels
The table shows the distribution of consumption of individual types of fuels and energy media used in households in Slovakia.
Trends in emissions by energy and fuels from households:
|
Household consumption % |
Natural gas |
Electricity |
Heat |
Biomass |
Solid fuels |
Liquid fuels |
Total (TJ) |
|
2014 |
43.9% |
18.3% |
17.9% |
17.3% |
2.4% |
0.2% |
9 8824.5 |
|
2015 |
40.1% |
17.5% |
16.5% |
23.3% |
2.4% |
0.2% |
10 9563.7 |
|
2016 |
39.2% |
16.6% |
16.1% |
25.4% |
2.3% |
0.3% |
113 988.0 |
|
2017 |
41.9% |
16.3% |
15.0% |
23.7% |
2.8% |
0.3% |
117 762.0 |
|
2018 |
42.8% |
16.6% |
17.2% |
20.6% |
2.5% |
0.3% |
106 812.3 |
|
2019 |
41.4% |
16.5% |
17.7% |
21.7% |
2.4% |
0.3% |
111 031.9 |
|
2020 |
41.2% |
16.6% |
18.5% |
21.3% |
2.2% |
0.2% |
114 481.9 |
|
2021 |
41.5% |
15.9% |
17.2% |
23.0% |
2.1% |
0.2% |
124 672.6 |