We are more and more willing to apply for subsidies to replace boilers and insulate houses. Last week, a record number of applications were submitted to the Clean Air Program – as many as 6,649 applications. There has never been such great interest before. The Polish Smog Alert showed which home heating methods are the most popular.
- In the last week (March 16-22), a record number of 6,649 applications for the Clean Air program were submitted. For comparison, the average weekly number of applications submitted in 2023 was 4,187. Last year, the record weekly number of applications was recorded at the turn of July and August 2023 – 5,891.
- Analysis of the Barometer’s current readings shows a strong increase in the number of applications submitted to the Program: in 2024, the weekly number increased from 3,718 to 6,649. The current number of applications submitted to the Program is significantly higher than the average from 2023.
- Another change in the Clean Air Program is a sharp decline in the number of applications for subsidies for heat pumps. The popularity of this heat source has dropped significantly – from 64% in January 2023 to 32% in February 2024.
- In the same period, the percentage of applications for biomass boilers (pellet, wood) increased from 10 to 40% in the Clean Air program.
In order to monitor the progress of its implementation on an ongoing basis, the Polish Smog Alert has just published the Clean Air Program Barometer, which will be updated every week.
The goal of the Clean Air Program (PCZP), launched in 2018, is to eliminate 3 million out-of-class boilers, the so-called cinderellas within 10 years. So far, approximately 690,000 applications for heating replacement have been submitted under the Program, which constitutes only 23% of the assumed goal. Therefore, the process of eliminating “smokestacks” must definitely accelerate.
The number of applications from the Clean Air 2024 program is growing rapidly
The good news is the constantly growing interest in the Program. In the last week (March 16-22), a record number of 6,649 applications were submitted. This is a very good result. For comparison, the average weekly number of applications submitted in 2023 was 4,187. Last year, the record weekly number of applications was recorded at the turn of July and August 2023 – 5,891.
There has never been so much interest in the Program. In March, the barrier of 6,000 applications per week was exceeded for the first time – says Andrzej Guła, leader of the Polish Smog Alert.
However, the goals are still far from being achieved. According to experts, achieving the goal of three million replaced boilers will be possible when the weekly number of applications is at least eight thousand. PAS recalls the promises of the ruling coalition and Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The coalition agreement of November 10, 2023 included a promise to fight smog, among others. “by accelerating the process of replacing heat sources and thermal modernization of houses.”
At the beginning of the year, Prime Minister Tusk indicated that “the most effective form of fighting smog in Poland will be rapid, large-scale thermal modernization”, adding that he hopes that in the second half of the year we will be record holders in Europe when it comes to the pace of changes in this field. field.
It seems that the acceleration mentioned by Prime Minister Tusk is just beginning. We are particularly pleased with the growing interest in investments involving thermal modernization, which allows us to reduce the costs of home heating. Currently, three-quarters of applications include activities related to building insulation – comments Andrzej Guła – and adds: the government must now introduce a number of reforms that will ensure lasting effects of the fight against smog. This includes: introduction of a dedicated tariff for heat pump users, consistent implementation of anti-smog resolutions, compliance with regulations guaranteeing the quality of fuels and heating devices, and greater emphasis on comprehensive thermal modernization of houses.
To monitor the progress of PCZP, the Polish Smog Alert published the Clean Air Barometer, which continuously shows the degree of implementation of the Program’s goal.
Analysis of the Barometer’s current readings shows a strong increase in the number of applications submitted to the Program: in 2024, the weekly number increased from 3,718 to 6,649. The current number of applications submitted to the Program is significantly higher than the average from 2023.
The number of subsidies for pellet and wood-gassing boilers is increasing, while the number of subsidies for heat pumps is decreasing
The Clean Air Program also shows that more and more households are applying for funding for thermal modernization – currently it is already three-quarters of all applications.
The popularity of this type of activities is growing: over the last year alone, the percentage of applications for home insulation increased from 57% (January 2023) to 75% (January 2024). Another change in the Clean Air Program is a sharp decline in the number of applications for subsidies for heat pumps.
The popularity of this heat source dropped significantly – from 64% in January 2023 to 32% in February 2024. During the same period, the percentage of applications for biomass boilers increased from 10 to 40%.
The decline in the popularity of heat pumps is due to rising electricity prices and uncertainty regarding energy tariffs in the coming months. PAS proposes the creation of a special tariff for owners of heat pumps, taking into account the increased energy consumption.
– .
