In March this year a revision of the EU EBPD directive will be presented, which will introduce many restrictions related to, among others: with heating houses with fossil fuels such as eco-pea coal or coal. We asked an expert what’s next with the prices of coal and eco-pea coal and when is the best time to stock up on eco-pea coal and coal to heat your home? What will change?
- In most voivodeships, restrictions on the use of boilers below class 3 are already in force or will soon be introduced. Boilers below class 5 are to be eliminated from use within the next 2-3 years. The timing of these changes varies by region, but the general trend is common across the country.
- Assuming that prices will remain stable in 2026, this will be the right time to stock up, i.e. purchase coal or eco-pea coal for the next 2-3 seasons.
- As the JakiEkogroszek.pl expert emphasizes, owners of newer boilers can use them for the following years, but it is worth remembering that from 2027 additional fees will be introduced under the ETS 2 system.
- As the JakiEkogroszek.pl expert adds, in the years 2027-2030 it will be necessary to switch to another heating source, because after 2030 the cost of heating with eco-pea coal will probably increase to such a level that its use will become unprofitable.
The European Parliament is finalizing work on the amendment to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). In 6 years, the most energy-consuming residential buildings and houses will have to undergo thorough renovation, which is more expensive than deep thermal modernization. There is also a total ban on coal heating from 2040.
What will the EPBD directive change in construction and building heating from 2026 in Poland?
The proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030 and make it climate neutral by 2050.
It also aims to renovate more of the worst-performing buildings and improve the exchange of information on energy efficiency.
Schedule of changes to the implementation of the EPBD directive in Poland
- by the end of 2025 (2026) – ending subsidies for heating installations, furnaces and boilers using solid fuels such as coal, eco-pea coal, diesel oil and gas;
- 2027-2028 r. – introduction of the ETS2 tax on fossil fuels burned in households will cause coal, eco-pea coal and natural gas to become more expensive because they will be subject to a new tax, which will cause prices for home heating costs to increase by as much as PLN 1,200 and more per yearj;
- 2028 r. – all new public facilities in the EU will not be allowed to emit CO22i.e. solid fuel and gas boilers cannot be used on site (in the building) to heat them;
- from 2030 – all newly built buildings, including residential ones, i.e. houses, will have to be zero-emission. The directive provides for exceptions, e.g. for agricultural buildings, religious buildings and monuments.
- From 2040 – heating using fossil fuels, i.e. coal, eco-pea coal, gas or fuel oil, will be completely phased out throughout Poland. In practice, this also means a ban on the use of furnaces using the above fuels, because especially new houses (but also those built before 2040) will not be able to meet the strict energy efficiency standards for EPBD buildings;
- do 2050 r. – all buildings in Poland will have to be zero-emission, without exception, including agricultural and farm buildings.
From 2030, all new buildings should be zero-emission; new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities should be emission-free from 2028.
Member States will be able to take into account the potential for global warming throughout the entire life cycle of a building, which includes the production and disposal of construction products.
For residential buildings, Member States will have to implement measures to reduce average primary energy consumption by at least 16% by 2030 and by at least 20-22% by 2035.
More importantly, in newly built houses it will not be possible to use fossil fuel boilers, i.e. coal and eco-pea coal boilers, in accordance with the EU directive, from 2030 – emphasizes the expert JakiEkogroszek.pl
According to the guidelines, over the next six years, all EU member states must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels.
Then, by 2040, this target is to be tightened to 90%. The ultimate goal is for Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050.
The planned changes cover a number of areas, including energy, transport, agriculture, industry and the housing sector. In short, it is assumed that the use of coal, gas and oil will be completely abandoned, i.e. the so-called fossil fuels – emphasizes the JakiEkogroszek.pl expert
What does the introduction of the EU EPBD directive mean for owners of coal and eco-pea coal boilers?
For owners of coal-fired boilers, this means the need to switch to alternative, ecological heating sources.
In most voivodeships, restrictions on the use of boilers below class 3 are already in force or will soon be introduced – emphasizes the JakiEkogroszek.pl expert. – Boilers below class 5 are to be eliminated from use within the next 2-3 years. The timing of these changes varies by region, but the general trend is common across the country.
As the JakiEkogroszek.pl expert emphasizes, owners of newer boilers can use them for the following years, but it is worth remembering that from 2027 additional fees will be introduced under the ETS 2 system.
The exact amount of these fees is not yet known, but estimates indicate a possible price increase of up to PLN 500 per tonne – notes the JakiEkogroszek.pl expert. – Therefore, it can be assumed that coarse coal will slowly disappear from coal stockpiles, and only eco-pea coal will remain in circulation. It will be available for purchase under the current terms and conditions for the next three seasons.
When to stock up on coal and eco-pea coal for home heating and buy cheaper?
We asked an expert what’s next with the prices of coal and eco-pea coal and when is the best time to stock up on eco-pea coal and coal to heat your home?
Assuming that prices will remain stable in 2026, it will be a good time to stock up, i.e. buy fuel for the next 2-3 seasons. Then there should also be more funds available to subsidize the thermal insulation of buildings – notes the JakiEkogroszek.pl expert.
As the JakiEkogroszek.pl expert adds, in the years 2027-2030 it will be necessary to switch to another heating source, because after 2030 the cost of heating with eco-pea coal will probably increase to such a level that its use will become unprofitable.
What should you replace a coal boiler with for heating your home?
– There are several options to choose from, but most often the decision comes down to installing a heat pump or a pellet boiler. The first of these options will work well in well-insulated houses or new buildings, the second – in older houses with space for a boiler room. Both options can be financed under the Clean Air 2024 program – summarizes the JakiEgkogroszek.pl expert.
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