Czech boiler grants end today; ban on polluting boilers takes effect Sunday

Today marks the end of the so-called boiler replacement grants, which people could use to replace polluting boilers. The ban on using old boilers in the first and second emissions classes takes effect on Sunday. Fines for heating with them can reach up to 50.000 crowns and may be imposed repeatedly. If someone has applied for a grant by the end of August but has not yet replaced their boiler, the inspector will take this into account. From Monday, people can apply for support under the New Green Savings programme, although the grants will be tens of thousands of crowns lower.

In recent months, interest in grants for boiler replacements has grown, according to data from the Ministry of the Environment, with the highest demand in the Olomouc and Zlín regions. It is estimated that several tens of thousands of boilers manufactured before 2000 still need to be replaced. People should know what kind of boiler they have at home, as they are required to have it inspected every three years.

Higher support for seniors and low-income households will continue, and they will be able to apply for boiler replacements under the New Green Savings Light programme. From 1 September, people can also apply for financial support to replace boilers in the third, fourth and fifth emissions classes. Applications can be made through the State Environmental Fund. Support for heat pumps will now be 130.000 crowns, grants for purchasing a biomass boiler will be up to 90.000 crowns, and support for heaters will be 35.000 crowns.

The ban on using boilers in the first and second emissions classes has been enshrined in law since 2012. Since September 2022, it has applied to everyone except owners of family houses, apartment buildings and buildings used for family recreation. This is because these boilers are among the biggest sources of air pollution.