Clean Heat, Clean Air
Benefits of Zero-Emission Technologies in the Industrial Heating Sector
If the nation’s manufacturing facilities powered their processes with clean technologies instead of fossil fuels, American communities could see over $1 trillion in public health benefits by 2050 and avoid 77,200 pollution-related deaths, 33.2 million asthma attacks and 13 million lost school days. These health benefits would come as a result of cleaner air while industry grows more efficient.
Industrial processes that burn fuels to generate heat and steam for manufacturing, food processing and other needs generate significant air pollution burdens in communities across the nation. The majority of the approximately 33,000 boilers used for industrial heat production in the United States primarily burn gas, coal, oil and other fuels.
Today, zero-emission heat pumps can provide significant air, health and climate benefits when used to meet the needs of low- and medium-temperature industrial heat applications such as food processing, paper manufacturing, chemical processing and others in this range.
By shifting away from combustion of wood and fossil fuels, local communities could experience cleaner air, and fewer asthma attacks and lost workdays. These technologies exist today and are increasingly available options to curb pollution while improving industrial efficiency.
