Do you own a fireplace? fresh standards have been introduced – avoid penalties to PLN 5 thousand

Homeowners from fireplaces in Poland, they must prepare for crucial changes that introduce fresh anti-smog regulations. According to EU Directive on ecodesign and national regulations, all holders old fireplaces are required to replace or adapt heating equipment to fresh standards to avoid advanced penalties. Otherwise, they may be charged with mandates reaching even PLN 5 000. These requirements aim to improve air quality and reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.

When do you gotta replace the fireplace?

Real property owners who have old heating equipment must face the requirements that come into force in the fight against smog. The fresh government points to the request to modernise fireplaces in terms of seasonal energy efficiency and emissions of pollutants specified as particulate substance (PM), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen (NOx). In practice, this means that fireplaces, which do not meet the requirements for efficiency and purity of combustion, will should be replaced or upgraded by fitting appropriate filters.

The changes besides concern fresh ones emission standards exhaust gases which must be adapted to EU standards. The dates for the implementation of changes in different voivodships are spread over time, but the deadline for replacement or modernisation of the equipment is set for 1 year. 2029.

Penalties for non-compliance

Holders of old fireplaces who do not comply with the fresh requirements will gotta face penalties. Mandates for failure to comply may be up to PLN 500but the most severe sanction will be fine of up to PLN 5 thousand. This is simply a change that aims to motivate property owners to rapidly replace heating equipment.

Penalties will be imposed erstwhile heating devices emit besides much PM dust, carbon oxides or nitrogen, exceeding acceptable standards. It is crucial that the owners of fireplaces regularly check whether their appliances meet emanation standards, especially in the context of the fresh law, which will be introduced gradually in various parts of Poland.

Financial support from Clean Air

So far, homeowners could usage the program Clean Air, which offered backing for the exchange of heating equipment, including fireplaces. This program provided crucial assistance to thousands of Polish families, allowing them to exchange obsolete furnaces for modern, ecological equipment. However, November 2024National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) suspended the acceptance of fresh applications for funding. The reason for this was the request for improvement of the system, which alarmed many owners who had not made their applications before the programme was suspended.

Minister of Climate, Anna Moscow-Hennag-Kloskaannounced the renewal of the programme in April 2025. The programme will be modified to introduce more control over contractors and simplify the process of clearing grants. Individuals who have invested in fresh equipment before the suspension of applications will benefit from a separate clearing path.

What support has been obtained so far?

Since its launch, Clean Air has gained large interest. Over a million applications about PLN 37 billion has been filed so far. Under the agreements signed, the support was PLN 26 billion, about 650 thousand people have benefited from funding. In turn already paid nearly PLN 14 billion. Thanks to the program, thousands of families could exchange old heating equipment, which had a affirmative impact on air quality in Poland.

What should you do now?

If you own a fireplace that does not meet fresh standards, you should start preparing for its replacement or modernization. It is worth following the latest information about the changes to Clean Air and enroll in the waiting list to benefit from future funding.

It is crucial not to postpone, since the deadline for adapting the equipment to the fresh standards was set to 2029 year. In the meantime, property owners should consider investing in modern fireplaces that meet EU exhaust and energy efficiency standards.