You pay for coal, and there's a stone in the oven. Trade Inspection reveals a shocking process

The heating period in 2025 brings not only concerns about the amount of bills, but besides about the quality of the fuel itself. The Commercial Inspection (IH) strikes an alarm due to the expanding sales of the alleged "baptized" eco-grocer. Consumers, tempted by a seemingly attractive price, frequently unwittingly buy a product that has small in common with high-calorie fuel. In bags alternatively of certified coal, they find a mixture of mare, coal mule, and in utmost cases even coloured aggregate. The effects are lamented: not only do we lose money by paying for worthless stone, but we besides hazard a costly failure of modern boiler. The problem is so serious that experts talk about the real plague that strikes the weakest – households trying to last the energy crisis. knowing how cheaters work and how to defend themselves from them becomes a key skill for all homeowner.

The “baptised” eco-peg – what precisely is in the bags?

The word “baptised” or “falsified” ecogross involves a wide scope of frauds, the common denominator of which is simply a drastic understatement of fuel quality parameters. The Trade Inspection inspections carried out at the turn of 2024 and 2025 showed that dishonest dealers are reaching for increasingly sophisticated methods. The most common practice is to mix full-value coal with cheaper and little efficient natural materials specified as coal or mud.

But that's not all. In utmost cases, inspectors came across sacks where a crucial part of the content was simple aggregate or stones, sprayed with a substance giving them a black carbon appearance. This “product” not only does not make heat, but is deadly dangerous for modern class 5 and Ecodesign boilers. The main goal of fraud is to maximize profit – selling cheap, worthless filler at the price of high-quality fuel, utilizing ignorance and haste of customers.

Why is false fuel a simple way to disaster?

Using a counterfeit ecopea is not just a substance of lower heat efficiency. It's a simple way to serious and very costly problems. Modern boilers with feeder are precise devices, highly delicate to fuel quality. These are the most crucial threats:

• Damage to the screw feeder: Tough impurities, specified as stones, can block or permanently harm the fuel injection mechanics to the furnace. The cost of replacing specified an component is frequently respective 1000 zlotys.
• The creation of sinter and decay: The heat with advanced ash content and low melting temperature creates a hard, hard to remove sinter in the furnace. They can block the air flow, strangle the flame and consequently origin harm to the retort.
• Accelerated boiler corrosion: Fake eco-pean frequently has a importantly exceeded sulphur standard. During combustion, aggressive sulphuric acid is formed, which destroys metallic elements of the boiler and chimney, drastically shortening their lifespan.
• No heat and higher costs: Ultimately, by burning worthless material, we usage much more to scope the desired temperature at home. As a result, apparent savings on acquisition turns into importantly higher spending on the full season.

How do you admit fraud? applicable Guide Step by Step

Although frauds are getting smarter, a vigilant consumer has a chance to avoid losing money and nerves. Before making a purchase, pay attention to any key elements. Here is simply a checklist that will aid you verify the quality of the eco-pean:

1. Check the documentation: Each batch of legal fuel must have quality certificate. The seller is obliged to show it on request. The paper should contain key parameters: calorie (heat value), ash content, sulphur content and sinterability (RI).
2. Rate appearance: Open the bag (if possible) or check the sample. A good quality eco-pean should have uniform granulation (usually 5-25 mm), be dry and have a uniform black colour without excessive dust. Suspects should rise clumps, clearly visible impurities or unnatural, "wet" gloss.
3. Watch out for “superoccupations”: In 2025, energy prices are high. If the offer is grossly cheaper than the marketplace average, you should light a red light. The most common behind specified a “provision” is simply a product with low parameters.
4. Buy with proven suppliers: Choose renowned fuel depots, authorized distributors or straight from manufacturers. Avoid buying from uncertain sources, announcements on social networks from random people.
5. Save acquisition proof: Always take a receipt or invoice. That's the basis for any claim in case the fireworks prove defective.

Did you buy the bad stuff? Here's what you can do.

If, despite your caution, you have fallen victim to fraud, you are not helpless. The first step is to lodge a complaint with the seller, citing the non-compliance of the goods with the contract and presenting proof of purchase. If the seller refuses to accept the complaint, the case should be reported immediately to the competent Provincial Inspectorate of the Commercial Inspection. It is besides worth to paper defective goods by taking pictures or recording a film. Your reaction matters. – not only gives you a chance to recover money, but besides helps the Trade Inspection to destruct unfair practices from the market, thereby protecting another consumers. In a time of advanced heating costs, a conscious and vigilant choice of fuel is not only a saving, but above all an investment in safety and peace throughout the winter.