There's a decision regarding gas furnaces. Key deadlines

• The European Commission has released a set of guidelines for the implementation of the updated European Building Directive (EPBD).
• These documents precisely define, among others, the concepts of "fossil fuel boilers" and "zero emission buildings" (ZEB).
• However, there are many misunderstandings and myths in the public debate, especially around the alleged ban on the use of gas stoves.

Contrary to widespread reports, the European Union has no plans to mandate the removal of gas boilers from homes . Owners of existing boilers can rest assured – they are not facing any sudden changes. Importantly, until 2029, the installation of standalone gas boilers will continue under the current rules – there will be no ban; the only changes will be related to subsidies.

A key change will come into effect from 2030. What will change?

• in new buildings and in buildings after full thermal modernisation (zero-energy building standard) , gas boilers can still be installed , but in combination with renewable energy sources (e.g. a system with a heat pump, solar collectors, PV, etc.);
• Importantly, in existing buildings after 2030, the replacement and repair of equipment will take place without restrictions and as before - unless the building has undergone deep thermal modernisation.

In turn, gas boilers that will be powered by renewable gases (biomethane, hydrogen, etc.) in the future will not be subject to any restrictions after 2030.

Regulations have recently been introduced that will determine the future of gas boilers. The Polish LPG Organization reports that on June 30, the European Commission issued long-awaited guidelines for member states on the interpretation of the concepts of "fossil fuel boilers" and zero-emission buildings (ZEB) in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

According to the Commission's guidelines for fossil fuel boilers:

• it is the fuel used in the boiler that determines whether in 2040 the boiler will be considered a fossil fuel boiler or not - not the heating technology itself,
• the phase-out of fossil fuels can be achieved by replacing the device (boiler) with another one - such as a heat pump or solar collector - or by replacing the fossil fuel with a renewable one (such as biomethane or biopropane) or by a combination of these solutions,
• The Commission indicates that fossil fuels should be phased out from heating by 2040 and that Member States should be guided by this assumption, although the EPBD does not provide for sanctions in this matter.

According to the Commission's guidelines on zero-emission buildings:

• boilers powered by bioenergy (biogas, biomass and bioliquids) will be considered powered by renewable energy sources when the combustion of renewable fuels takes place on-site, i.e. they will be able to be installed in zero-emission buildings after 2030,
• Bioenergy generated outside the building boundary will be considered as "remote energy" and not directly considered as renewable energy from on-site or nearby sources for the purposes of zero-emission building calculations.
• A zero-emission building will therefore be able to use gas boilers powered by renewable gases, although this will reduce its energy performance.

The Polish LPG Organisation notes that "remote energy" is not a defined concept in Community law, "hence it will raise understandable controversy during the transposition of the EPBD directive".