Malopolska Focuses on Cleaner Air – Nearly 7,000 Old Boilers Removed in Six Months
The first half of 2025 shows that actions aimed at improving air quality in Malopolska Region are producing visible results. Data from the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (WFOŚiGW) in Krakow and municipal reports indicate that residents of the region are gradually but steadily taking advantage of the “Clean Air” program.
From January to June 2025, 1,396 funding applications were submitted – covering both boiler replacement of inefficient heat sources and building thermal modernization (e.g., wall insulation, window replacement, or heating system upgrades).
During the same period, old solid-fuel boilers were removed in 6,950 buildings and replaced with modern, lower-emission heating devices.
Good results despite a several-month break
It is worth remembering that these results were achieved despite a several-month pause in accepting applications, which lasted from November 28, 2024, to March 31, 2025. This period was used to implement changes and simplifications in the “Clean Air” program.
After the reopening of the application process, interest in the program increased again, showing that residents are not abandoning their plans to replace outdated boilers.
Municipalities with the Most Progress
The highest number of heat sources were replaced in the following municipalities:
- Wieliczka – 395 boilers,
- Brzesko – 291 boilers,
- Czernichów – 203 boilers,
- Nowy Sącz – 202 boilers,
- Nowy Targ (urban area) – 179 boilers,
- Myślenice – 167 boilers,
- Nowy Targ (rural area) – 156 boilers.
More and more people are planning changes
Although the number of applications submitted to the “Clean Air” program is lower than the number of investments already completed, many municipalities are showing signs of renewed activity. In the first half of 2025, the highest number of new applications for boiler replacement and building thermal modernization were submitted in the municipalities of: Chełmiec (49), Krakow (46), Nowy Sącz (41), and Łącko (34). This signals that more boiler replacements can be expected in the coming months.
How many boilers are there in Malopolska?
In Malopolska Region, heating declarations for 612,758 address points have been entered into the Central Register of Building Emissions (CEEB). It is estimated that the database is approximately 78% complete.*
According to the database, residents of Malopolska Region report:
- Ecodesign-certified boilers – 16,317
- Class 5 boilers – 67,129
- Class 4 boilers – 32,976
- Class 3 boilers – 96,879
- Non-compliant boilers – 114,133
- Local space heaters in total (fireplaces, stoves, kitchen stoves, tiled stoves) – 275,966
*According to data from the General Office of Building Control (GUNB) as of September 22.
In many households in Malopolska Region, more than one heat source is in use. Often, alongside modern heat pumps or gas boilers, old coal boilers remain installed. The same applies to tiled stoves and fireplaces – although their aesthetic value encourages owners to keep them in homes, they are not used due to non-compliance with the Anti-smog resolution. This creates some difficulty in clearly interpreting the relationship between the number of outdated heat sources and progress in implementing regulations.
It is also worth noting that each year the number of environmentally friendly heating devices installed in Malopolska homes is increasing. These devices are characterized by low or zero particulate emissions and simple operation.
Still a lot to be done
More than 6,900 removed “smokers” is a step in the right direction, but the overall needs across the region remain significant.
Gradual, consistent implementation of the “Clean Air” program, along with financial support for residents, can ensure that the coming years bring an even more noticeable improvement in air quality in Malopolska Region.
