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Energy and the Environment

Renewable Heating and Cooling

About RHC

Renewable heating and cooling (RHC) is the generation of energy from renewable technologies and resources to serve end-use applications such as:

  • Heating water for pools or other uses 
  • Space heating
  • Space cooling
  • Process heat

Renewable thermal technologies offer a safe, clean, efficient, and increasingly cost-competitive option for reducing conventional energy use. These technologies are proven, mature, and low-risk, offering significant financial, environmental, and energy benefits to project stakeholders. Renewable heating and cooling offers the following benefits:

  • Provides predictable and often fixed-price energy over the life of the project
  • Offers a hedge against financially volatile conventional energy sources such as oil, gas, or electricity
  • Reduces emissions and air pollutants without sacrificing comfort or performance
  • Utilizes sustainable renewable resources rather than finite fossil fuels
  • Increases our energy security by developing domestic energy sources
  • Stimulates local jobs and domestic economic growth

Visit EPA’s Renewable Heating and Cooling Web site for more information on how RHC technologies can benefit you.