The approval of the EU directive in March 2024 brought clarity to the chaos surrounding gas boilers. The good news for 800,000 Slovak households is that gas boilers will not be banned, even after 2040. So what is the real future of heating in Slovakia?

The end of gas boilers? Not quite!

In March 2024, the European Parliament adopted a revision of the directive on the energy efficiency of buildings, which dispelled fears of a ban on gas boilers. According to the directive, subsidy support for gas boilers from public sources will stop from 2025. However, hybrid systems combining a gas boiler with solar collectors or heat pumps will remain supported.

As reported by the Energie-portal.sk portal, it will be possible to continue using gas condensing boilers in existing buildings even after 2040. However, heating without fossil fuels will be preferred starting this year in new buildings.

Biomethane and hydrogen: The future is green

Decarbonisation of the gas industry can fundamentally affect the heating market. If gas boilers use renewable gases, such as biomethane or hydrogen, they will remain an important part of energy solutions. In Slovakia, a mixture of natural gas and hydrogen is already being tested, which has the potential to replace fossil gas.

The spokesperson of SPP – distribution Milan Vanga told Trend.sk:

  • “Slovak gas infrastructure can be easily adapted to the transport of renewable gases. Modern condensing boilers are already ready to burn biomethane and hydrogen mixtures today.”

Condensing boilers: An ecological and efficient choice

Condensing boilers not only save up to 23% of natural gas consumption compared to older models, but they are cheaper to purchase than other heating alternatives.

  • “In the long term, our My New Boiler project helps households both financially and time-wise,” added Vanga, SPP

– distribution also offers sample projects for family houses in energy class A0, which combine low-emission technologies.

Decarbonization without drastic changes

The new EU directive gives Slovakia the freedom to decide on the future of heating. As Milan Vanga explains:

  • “The gas industry will continue to be an essential part of Slovakia’s energy industry in the coming decades and a low-cost solution to decarbonization.”

For owners of gas boilers, this means that they do not need to panic. Development is aimed at improving efficiency, environmental friendliness and the use of renewable resources without dramatic changes for 800,000 Slovak households.

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