Icelanders primarily heat their homes using geothermal energy, which is a sustainable and abundant resource in the country due to its volcanic activity and geothermal hotspots. About 90% of Icelandic homes are heated through geothermal district heating systems, where hot water from underground geothermal sources is piped directly into buildings for space heating and hot water

. How it works:

• Hot water and steam are extracted from geothermal reservoirs underground.
• This hot water is transported through insulated pipelines to homes and buildings.
• Inside homes, the hot water flows through heat exchangers and radiators to provide warmth.
• The system also supplies hot water for domestic use and can even heat sidewalks and streets to prevent ice and snow accumulation

History and development:

• Geothermal heating has been used since the early 20th century, with the first pipeline in Reykjavík built in 1930 to heat schools, homes, and a hospital.
• The government has supported the expansion of geothermal district heating, which now covers most of the country.
• This transition from oil-based heating to geothermal has saved Iceland billions of dollars and significantly reduced carbon emissions

Areas without geothermal access:

• Approximately 10% of homes, mostly in regions with less geothermal activity such as the East coast and Westfjords, rely on electricity for heating.
• The government provides subsidies and grants for electric heating and heat pump installations in these areas

In summary, the widespread use of geothermal energy for home heating in Iceland is a key example of renewable energy utilization, making heating affordable, efficient, and environmentally friendly for most Icelanders.