The year 2025 will bring major changes for gas furnace owners in Poland and the full European Union. The European Commission announced in October 2024 the decision to retreat financial support for the acquisition of gas boilers, and these changes are expected to take effect from January 1, 2025. What does this mean for households that usage gas to heat their homes? What will be the financial and technological implications of these changes?
Decision of the European Commission and nonsubjective of amendments
Decision of the European Commission to end the grant Gas boilers results from the request to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to accomplish climate neutrality in the European Union. According to EC data, buildings are liable for 40% of full energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. These changes are so part of a broader policy to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector.
The proposed rules supply for the gradual withdrawal of support for gas boilers, and Since 2030 specified equipment is to be prohibited in fresh buildings. By 2040, gas boilers should be replaced by alternate energy sources specified as heat pumps is biomethane.
What will change since 2025?
In 2025 the rule that no more subsidies for the acquisition of gas boilers under programmes specified as Clean Air. This programme played a key function in Poland, allowing the exchange of old furnaces for modern gas boilers as part of the grant. In fresh years, grants from this program have installed more than 230 1000 fresh gas boilers. As announced National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW)new rules for the adoption of proposals will come into force March 31, 2025.
However, it is worth noting that not all investments will be covered by this prohibition. For projects that started before 2025 and financed by funds specified as Instrument for Reconstruction and Enhancing Immunity or European Regional improvement Fundgrants will proceed to be available.
Future of gas boilers in Poland
According to the data, in Poland gas heating presently uses around 2 million households, which represents a crucial percent in the context of the home heating market. Therefore, the change in policy towards gas boilers will have a major impact on many property owners.
However, not all changes will force the immediate replacement of gas furnaces. In existing buildings, where installations let to usage the increasing admixture of biocomponents, specified as biomethane is biopropaneusers of gas boilers will not gotta exchange them. These biocomponents will be treated equally to renewable fuels, specified as electricity or biomass, which can let the continued usage of gas in a more ecological way.
New requirements and control systems
With changes to the programme Clean Air, is besides foreseen increased control. Under the fresh energy assessment system, specialists will gotta carry out Energy inspections buildings and identify the essential measures to improve energy efficiency. Level of pre-financing under the grant will be reduced from 50% to 20%, which will affect the way in which the beneficiaries of the programme will receive funds for the exchange of heating equipment.
A fresh strategy will besides be introduced European Emissions Trade (ETS2), which will besides cover the construction sectors, which will affect the cost of utilizing gas in the future. As announced, increase in gas prices related to ETS2 can make replacement of a gas boiler for a more ecological solution, specified as heat pumps, it will become more profitable.
Challenges for gas boiler users
Changes in regulations may mean financial and organisational difficulties for gas boiler owners. Concerns relate mainly to the advanced costs of replacing the boiler with an organic appliance, as well as possible difficulties in switching to another heat sources. However, it is worth noting that as grants and support programmes specified as Clean Air, changing heating technology can become more accessible to many people.
In the coming years, the government is expected to introduce additional measures in support of the replacement of gas boilers with more ecological solutions, specified as heat pumps, which can facilitate the transition to more sustainable forms of heating.
Read more:
Official end of gas furnaces in 2025. European Commission Decision
