Abstract: In order to scientifically calculate the contribution rate of residential coal combustion to air pollutants and estimate the amount of residential coal burning in Taiyuan City, spatial patterns of residential areas in the plain, mountainous and semi-rural areas in Taiyuan City were interpreted through high-resolution remote sensing images, DEM (digital elevation model) and GIS (geographic information system). A statistical model was further adapted to estimate the consumption of honeycomb briquettes in residential areas with the support of statistical records from the built-up areas. The coal burning emissions of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO_x, VOCs, CO, OC, EC were estimated from the emission factors collected from the relevant literature. The results showed that:in 2016, there were 22.8×10⁴ coal combustion residents in Taiyuan City, where the total consumed coal was 109.6×10⁴ t. The coal combustion residents in the plain and semi-rural areas were the main source of the emission of air pollutants. The emissions of PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, NO_x VOCs, CO, OC, EC were 9, 666.7, 7, 518.6, 8, 110.4, 1, 573.6, 657.6, 153, 549.6, 3, 419.5 and 2, 882.5 t respectively. In 2016, the total coal consumption by the residents in Qingxu County and Taiyuan City area reached 97.9×10⁴ t, accounting for 88% of the total coal consumption in the whole year. The results reveal that the government should take appropriate measures to promote the shift of coal to gas, electricity and clean energy.