The Clean Air Program is starting again. Here's what's changed

Hennig-Kloska: This bill has caused a lot of windmill spins TVN24

The Clean Air Program is being relaunched in a new format. Among the changes is a requirement for an energy audit prior to thermal modernization. Funding for gas furnaces has also been eliminated. Additionally, the introduction of „guardians” during the home insulation process is on the agenda.

In accordance with previous announcements from the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW), the revamped anti-smog initiative, Clean Air, will commence on March 31. Eligible beneficiaries can apply for financial assistance for the thermal modernization of individual houses and for replacing their heating sources with more environmentally friendly alternatives.

Curbing Abuse and Horror Bills

Climate Minister Paulina Hennig-Kloska recently shared during a conference that the updated program focuses on three primary objectives: enhancing the fight against energy poverty, putting an end to so-called horror bills, and eliminating fraudulent practices. According to the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, these fraudulent practices were among the key reasons for the suspension of application processing in Clean Air at the end of November last year.

The main concerns revolved around the program’s component that allowed for the highest subsidies and the possibility of pre-financing. The Fund also indicated that a report had been submitted to the prosecutor’s office regarding several companies suspected of criminal activities within the program, with questionable contracts estimated at around PLN 600 million.

Three Categories of Beneficiaries

Similar to the previous iteration of the program, the new version categorizes beneficiaries into three groups. Based on their income, they will qualify for either lower or higher levels of financial support. In the updated Clean Air initiative, the income thresholds have been increased alongside the levels of support available.

The basic tier allows for subsidies covering up to 40 percent of eligible investment costs, accessible to individuals with an annual income not exceeding PLN 135,000.

The second tier includes those whose monthly income per person is PLN 2,250 in multi-person households, and PLN 3,150 in single-person households; for this group, support is capped at 70% of eligible costs.

The highest level of support, reaching up to 100% of costs, applies to monthly incomes of up to PLN 1,300 per person in multi-person households or up to PLN 1,800 in single-person households. This maximum support will also be available to individuals with recognized rights to benefits, such as permanent, periodic, family, or special care allowances. Homeowners or occupants of properties with a heating energy demand exceeding 140 kWh/m2 annually will be eligible for this support tier. The Polish Smog Alarm has criticized this requirement, claiming it may exclude many households from receiving funding, thereby preventing them from accessing the maximum support available.

Individuals earning more than PLN 135,000 per year can still benefit from the thermal modernization tax relief, allowing for deductions of up to PLN 53,000.

New Limits on Maximum Costs

A significant update in the program is the establishment of specified maximum costs for each investment component, aimed at curbing fraudulent practices. The subsidy level has also been restricted for ancillary works necessary for project implementation but not constituting the primary element of the investment. Additionally, unit subsidy limits have been established per square meter for insulation surfaces of ceilings, floors, and walls, as well as for windows.

NFOŚiGW emphasizes that VAT is not considered an eligible cost, and thus, it will always be the responsibility of the beneficiary to cover this expense.

For instance, for thermal modernization paired with the installation of a ground heat pump, the highest subsidy level allows for a maximum of PLN 170,100, the increased level offers PLN 119,700, and the basic level provides PLN 68,400. Regarding a thermal modernization investment with an air/water heat pump, the respective amounts are PLN 140,300, PLN 98,210, and PLN 56,120.

Elimination of Subsidies for Gas Furnaces

It is important to note that under the new Clean Air program, subsidies for gas furnaces will no longer be available. There will be a separate initiative tailored for individuals who have invested in such a furnace but have not yet settled the costs. Nevertheless, financing for devices on the ZUM list—green technologies and materials—will continue. Funding will only be provided for heat pumps, wood gasification boilers, and pellet boilers that possess the necessary certifications and laboratory testing. Individuals who were unable to settle their investment before the application suspension will have a four-month window to do so. This transitional period applies to invoices dated from May 28 of last year.

Another significant change is that the subsidy will now be limited to one building. In order to apply for support, proof of ownership or co-

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