Do you have a gas boiler? Prepare PLN 150,000 for the exchange! The EU is speeding up the ban.

Two million Polish households face a immense challenge, about which fewer people talk out. Your modern gas boiler, possibly purchased from a grant, could become a useless scrap metallic in a twelve years. It is not the government that will expel it, but EU regulations and drastically expanding operating costs. Prepare for expenses that can scope even PLN 150 thousand – this is the price for a forced energy transformation that has already begun.

As of 1 January 2025, financial support for independent gas boilers ended. This is the first but very clear signal. The European Union, determined to fight for climate and energy independence, systematically eliminates gas from homes. Although no 1 can force you to throw out a working boiler, the problem will arise erstwhile this 1 refuses to obey. And then the only alternate will be an costly exchange for zero-emission solutions, specified as heat pumps, which without appropriate preparation may be another financial trap.

The end of support is only the beginning: Inevitable ban on gas in homes

The owners of gas boilers are trapped in a time trap, the framework of which is set by the European Union. From January 1, 2025As already mentioned, you will not receive any subsidies for the acquisition and installation of an independent gas boiler. That's a warm-up for what's coming. To 2030 fresh buildings across the EU will no longer be equipped with gas boilers. The final blow will come in 2040when the sale of fresh gas boilers is completely prohibited in the European Union.

What does this mean in practice? If your gas boiler was installed e.g. in 2020, its natural viability (about 15-20 years) will end around 2035-2040. At the time of failure, you will not be able to replace it with a fresh gas device. You will be forced to control to another zero-emission heat source. This position concerns about 2 million Polish householdswhich presently usage gas heating. The European Union is inflexible and the buildings are liable for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissionsThat's why their decarbonization is simply a priority.

The bills will go up: How much will we pay for the gas in 2025 and later?

You don't gotta wait for the boiler malfunction to feel the effects of the fresh energy policy in your wallet. Gas bills are already increasing and forecasts for the following years are alarming. From January 2025 distribution tariffs of Polish Gas manufacture Company increased on average by 24.7%. For an average household this means an increase from 2,60 PLN to 30 PLN per month. Moreover, since July 2024 prices of gas alone have increased by 17%, and forecasts for 2025 indicate a further increase of around 30%.

A real price shock, however, will come in 2027 with the introduction of the strategy ETS2 – a fresh phase of the European Emissions Trading System. This mechanics will impose additional CO2 emissions charges that will straight hit gas-heating home owners in their pockets. The average household emits about 6 tonnes of CO2 per year, which in the ETS2 would mean an additional cost of around PLN 1.2 1000 a year. And this is only the beginning – over the next fewer years costs will systematically increase, reaching respective 1000 PLN additional burdens over a period of respective years. Currently, the yearly cost of heating a home of 150 m2 with gas is around 18 1000 zlotysBut in a fewer years it could even be PLN 25-30 1000 a year.

Boiler replacement: Prepare PLN 150,000 and don't be surprised

When the minute comes for the replacement of a broken gas boiler, homeowners will have a financial shock. A comprehensive transition to a heat pump with essential upgrades is an expenditure order 80 to 150 1000 PLN. The heat pump itself with the assembly is cost PLN 50-80 thousand. But it's not over! frequently request to replace radiators with larger ones (another 15-25 thousand), further isolate the home (20-40 thousand) and rebuild the central heating installation (PLN 10-20 thousand).

Agnieszka from Lublin, who invested in 2022 18 1000 zlotys in a modern gas boiler, she feels cheated: “No 1 told me that in 15 years I would gotta spend PLN 100 thousand to replace the full system. It is simply a sum I simply cannot afford.” Her communicative is simply a informing to many. Importantly, most families, reasoning of a heat pump, focus only on the cost of buying. This is simply a mistake! The heat pump consumes electricity and without its own photovoltaics the operating costs can be amazingly high, reaching PLN 12-18 1000 per year, which is not much different from gas costs. Photovoltaic installation is another PLN 25-35 thousandbut without it, the cost-effectiveness of the heat pump is dropping dramatically. Tomasz from Warsaw, who switched to the ground heat pump in 2023, warns: “The first year without solariums, electricity bills were terrible – over 1500 PLN per month In winter. Only after the installation of photovoltaics did the strategy become profitable.” A specialist is required to avoid another cost trap.

Hybrid systems: Last hotel and chance for grants

But not everything is lost. There is simply a solution that allows to prolong the life of gas boilers and reduce operating costs – hybrid systems. These are installations combining a gas boiler with a renewable energy source, most frequently a heat pump or solar collectors. In this arrangement, the gas boiler acts as a highest source, starting only at the top frosts, while for most of the heating period a more effective heat pump works.

Hybrid systems, unlike independent gas boilers, inactive eligible for grants. They can be installed even after 2030, reducing operating costs by 30-50% and supply thermal comfort even at utmost temperatures. Marek of Krakow, who decided on a hybrid strategy in 2024, is pleased: “The installation cost me PLN 60 thousandBut I got 30 000 grants. My heating bills have fallen by half, and I warrant that the strategy will be legal for decades.” This solution is worth considering, especially if your gas boiler is more than 10 years old.

Steps That Can Prevent Financial Disaster

Energy transformation in Poland is an irreversible process and the EU deadlines are hard. These are concrete steps you can take to avoid a financial disaster:

• Start systematic saving: Even if you get a grant, the expense will be huge. The owners of young gas boilers should postpone 300-500 PLN per month for a future exchange.
• Improve home insulation: It's an investment that always pays off. Better isolated home is simply a smaller and cheaper heat pump and lower operating costs. Cost of insulation (PLN 20-40 thousand) may reduce the required heat pump power by 30-50%.
• Consider the hybrid strategy now: If your gas boiler is more than 10 years old or frequently breaks down, don't wait. You can inactive receive subsidies for the hybrid system, which will importantly reduce costs compared to the full exchange in a fewer years.
• Track grant programmes: The government announces that ETS2 backing will be utilized to support citizens in the exchange of gas boilers. fresh programmes may appear in years 2026-2027.
• Remember key dates:
  • 2025: End of grant for independent gas boilers.
  • 2027: Introduction of ETS2 charges (about PLN 1200 per year in addition, growing).
  • 2030: Prohibition of installation of gas boilers in fresh buildings.
  • 2040: full ban on the sale of fresh gas boilers.

Gas boiler owners have 15-20 years to prepare for this change. That's adequate time to save on exchange and rethink the best solution for your home. But it is worth planning the future now, reasoning that gas heating has its days numbered. Remember that investment in hybrid strategy now (about PLN 60 thousand with a grant) can prevent you from spending PLN 150 thousand for a comprehensive exchange in a twelve years. And most importantly, without thoughtful photovoltaics, the heat pump can make costs comparable to current gas heating. The time for action is now.