Poland heating market faces rising costs and new regulations

Poland is facing significant shifts in the heating sector as the winter season approaches. Fuel prices for coal and pellet are rising sharply; pellet prices have increased by 20% to 30% due to high demand, rising production costs, and limited biomass availability. The Ministry of Energy attributes these hikes to supply and demand imbalances, noting that the availability of wood raw materials is also tied to the management of State Forests.

Regulatory changes are also reshaping how households heat their homes. New EU regulations are phasing out certain fluorinated greenhouse gases used in heat pumps and air conditioning, with significant restrictions beginning in 2026. Locally, coal heating is being phased out through anti-smog resolutions, and owners of non-class boilers face mandatory replacement. Additionally, mandatory chimney inspections must now be recorded in the Central Register of Emission for Buildings (CEEB) to ensure compliance and insurance validity.

To support the transition, programs like the one in Warsaw offer subsidies of up to 40,000 PLN for modernizing heating systems with heat pumps or renewable energy. Meanwhile, authorities are warning consumers about rising costs in municipal heating networks and the risk of scams involving fraudulent online offers for coal and pellet.