Poland's Clean Air program criticised for heat‑pump subsidies and funding guidance

The Polish "Clean Air" (Czyste Powietrze) programme is under fire after the government’s list of eligible heating equipment (ZUM) was found to include over 1,100 low‑efficiency electric boilers alongside a single high‑efficiency air‑source heat pump with a SCOP of 4.75. Paweł Lachman, president of the Polish Organisation for Heat‑Pump Technology Development, argues the list promotes costly, energy‑inefficient devices and fails to recognise split‑type air‑conditioners that also function as efficient heat pumps.

At the same time, officials outline how households can apply for subsidies under the same programme. Funding is available for replacing outdated boilers, modernising heating installations, improving building insulation, swapping windows and doors, and installing heat‑recovery ventilation systems. Applicants must provide an energy audit and an energy‑performance certificate, and local consultation points such as the one in Jarocin offer assistance with paperwork.