The agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union has been concluded. According to the EPDB assumptions, from 2030 all new buildings are to be zero-emission, and by 2050 the construction sector is to become climate neutral. What does this mean for us citizens? The energy transformation will be difficult to achieve without thermal modernization of old blocks of flats.
- The new EPBD also assumes that by 2030, Member States will modernize 16% of non-residential buildings with the worst energy performance. Moreover, next year it will most likely not be possible to receive subsidies for independent fossil fuel boilers, and by 2040 they will be completely phased out.
- According to a report prepared by CBOS, nearly half of surveyed Poles (46%) heat their apartments or houses using their own coal stoves or boilers. 22% use gas, oil or electric heating. Only 4% of respondents declared another type of heating (wood, pellets, heat pumps).
- It is important to start making good, future-oriented decisions and not to focus on temporary solutions, such as only natural gas. In the near future, it may happen that it will be cheaper than renewable energy solutions, such as a heat pump.
- However, this will be very short-lived and will change drastically after the introduction of ETS 2 (a new tax on fossil fuel heating). Then it will turn out to be a more expensive source of heat than the already mentioned pumps, and the difference in bills will increase from year to year.
According to the provisions of the European Union, in a few years we will only build zero-emission buildings. What does this mean in practice?
The zero-emission building will use available renewable energy sources, which will offset emissions caused by fossil energy sources.
The ban will apply to natural gas, coal, fuel oil and eco-pea coal boilers
The new EPBD also assumes that by 2030, Member States will modernize 16% of non-residential buildings with the worst energy performance. Moreover, next year it will most likely not be possible to receive subsidies for independent fossil fuel boilers, and by 2040 they will be completely phased out.
The ban will apply to the installation of boilers using fossil fuels, i.e. gas and coal boilers, but also those using fuel oil and eco-pea coal. In order to meet the assumptions, Member States and their citizens should now think about strategy and action within not only new, but above all existing solutions used, among others. in blocks of flats and single- and multi-family houses. This will be a particularly important area in terms of the energy transformation of our country. Moreover, it will allow citizens to protect themselves from high bills resulting from inaction or the use of transitional solutions. The EU’s goal is clear – we are moving towards green energy and we should use it more and more boldly – not only out of compulsion. This is the perfect time to act, says Dr. Kamil Kwiatkowski, director of research projects, Euros Energy.
In practice, this means the last dozen or so years of stoves using gas and other fossil fuels – their use is to be completely banned by 2040.
Half of all boilers and furnaces need to be replaced throughout Poland
There is not much time, especially because, according to a report prepared by CBOS, nearly half of Poles surveyed (46%) heat their apartments or houses using their own coal stoves or boilers. 22% use gas, oil or electric heating. Only 4% of respondents declared another type of heating (wood, pellets, heat pumps).
It is important to start making good, future-oriented decisions and not to focus on temporary solutions, such as only natural gas. In the near future, it may happen that it will be cheaper than renewable energy solutions, such as a heat pump.
However, this will be very short-lived and will change drastically after the introduction of ETS 2 (a new tax on fossil fuel heating). Then it will turn out to be a more expensive source of heat than the already mentioned pumps, and the difference in bills will increase from year to year.
Thermal modernization of blocks and houses is needed here and now
Moving away from boilers using gas and other fossil fuels will soon be absolutely necessary. However, apart from replacing the heat source, what we can do for the environment and our wallets is to reduce the building’s heat demand.
Thermal modernization is the key to success, which not only has a positive effect on the appearance of the building, allowing it to be modernized, but above all, it reduces heat losses. By ensuring the tightness of the building, we can count on lower expenses for heating it, and thanks to solutions using renewable energy sources, it will be more effective, ecological and, most importantly, we will quickly notice the savings resulting from this solution – explains Dr. Kamil Kwiatkowski, director of research projects, Euros Energy.
There is something to work on, because calculations show that heat consumption in buildings with very poor insulation and leaks can generate heat consumption at an average level of 170 kWh/m2 annually – according to data from the Polish Smog Alert.
Thermal modernization is a series of works carried out to reduce heat losses and save more energy needed to heat the entire building. In addition to sealing the roof and replacing doors and windows, the walls are insulated.
Radiators may be changed, and air conditioning is often installed in apartments. The next task is the complete modernization or replacement of the heating installation.
The key element is to provide the most effective heat source, i.e. replacing the boiler with a more ecological heat source. Observing the current direction in which the European Union is heading, the most efficient and safe solutions will be those offered by renewable energy sources.
When were subsidies for natural gas and fuel oil boilers withdrawn?
According to the new arrangements, from 2025 it will no longer be possible to subsidize independent fossil fuel boilers. It is still unclear whether from January 1 or December 31, 2025.
In accordance with the current requirements applicable to European funds (FEnIKS Programme, from which, among others, the Clean Air Program is financed), gas boilers can be financed until the end of 2025 – emphasized the Ministry of Environment and Environment. – Nevertheless, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management analyzes and consults the needs for changes to the Clean Air program on an ongoing basis with the Ministry of Climate and Environment. Further decisions regarding the deadline for co-financing gas/oil condensing boilers will be made during the next change of the program.
The above comment was provided to us by MKiŚ about a month ago. However, this was before the introduction and adoption of the EPBD and the development of the NECP. We are waiting for clarification on the dates for the withdrawal of subsidies for energy-saving boilers using fossil fuels: natural gas and fuel oil.
Today, Poles can benefit from financial support for thermal modernization thanks to the Clean Air program. There is also an initiative called Moje Ciepło and many others promoting the use of renewable energy sources. Program beneficiaries have the opportunity to install heat pumps, central heating and hot water systems, photovoltaics and energy storage. Entrepreneurs, communities and cooperatives can also take advantage of initiatives such as FREE modernization, thanks to which residential blocks will be transformed into energy-independent and self-sufficient facilities with an individual heat source based on renewable energy sources – emphasize Euros Energy experts.
– Owners of unwelcome fossil fuel heat sources should take care of replacing them. Thanks to favorable programs, financing thermal modernization and replacement of fossil fuel boilers is possible, and the steps taken will allow us to become independent from imported raw materials and uncertain, rising energy prices – sums up Dr. Kamil Kwiatkowski, director of research projects, Euros Energy.
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