The first household to benefit from the heating electrification support project has been established in Jeju. The government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by converting kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) boilers to high-efficiency air-source heat pumps, expanding the foundation for distribution primarily in single-family homes in warm regions.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that Deputy Minister Lee Ho-hyun will attend a plaque ceremony for the first installation of the heating electrification support project on July 31 at a residence in Yeongpyeong-dong, Jeju City. This ceremony marks the confirmation of the first household equipped with an air-source heat pump under this year's newly launched heating electrification initiative, signaling the start of widespread heat pump distribution in the Jeju area.
The heating electrification project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated during building heating and hot water supply processes by converting existing fossil fuel boilers, such as kerosene and LPG, to high-efficiency air-source heat pumps. This year, the ministry is investing approximately 14.5 billion won in national funds to support heat pump distribution in single-family homes in warm regions, including Jeju.
After the plaque unveiling, the deputy minister will review the installation and operational status of the heat pump and gather feedback from residents on its performance and convenience. He will also check the conditions for project implementation, including electrical upgrades and safety inspections, in collaboration with relevant agencies such as Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Electrical Safety Corporation.
Following the ceremony, the deputy minister will visit a demonstration site for Samsung Electronics' integrated heating and cooling heat pump located in Donam-dong, Jeju City. This integrated heat pump utilizes outdoor air heat to provide cooling, heating, and hot water from a single system, representing a high-efficiency electrification technology that can reduce fossil fuel use in buildings. The ministry plans to gradually establish a foundation for heat pump distribution in the building sector by assessing the applicability of different residential types and product forms.
The installation of this first household is significant as it represents the initial case of transferring carbon reduction efforts in the building sector to everyday life. While carbon neutrality policies have primarily focused on the power and industrial sectors, heating electrification aims to reduce fossil fuel use in homes through boiler replacements. Notably, regions like Jeju are considered relatively advantageous for verifying heat pump efficiency and developing distribution models.
Deputy Minister Lee stated, "This first household marks a meaningful step in transitioning home heating from fossil fuel boilers to high-efficiency electric systems. We will carefully listen to the voices from the field to ensure that citizens can experience the benefits of heating electrification in their daily lives and work with relevant agencies to establish a stable foundation for the expansion of heat pump distribution."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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