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WARMER HOMES, CLEANER AIR: A NEW LARGE-SCALE INITIATIVE TO REPLACE OLD HEATING STOVES IN SOFIA BEGINS
Author: Georgi Velev, 6 October 2025, 3e-news
Sofia Municipality is launching the long-awaited implementation of the main phase of the heating appliance replacement project under the Environment Programme 2021–2027. Households in all districts of the capital that still use wood and coal for heating can benefit from the initiative. The pre-registration procedure remains open, and anyone interested can submit an application through the designated platform.
On 17 September, one of the most important preparatory steps before the start of the activities was completed – the selection of a contractor for technical assistance. The selected consultant will play a key role by supporting citizens at every stage of the process, from submitting documents and conducting on-site inspections to signing contracts with the municipality. Their responsibilities will include organising home visits for technical consultations and recommendations for suitable heating solutions, assisting applicants in completing the required forms, and developing an online calculatorto help households choose the most appropriate option. Once this service begins operating, the replacement of heating appliances may start gradually within the year. Progress on the programme is expected to be presented by Sofia Municipality on 29 October during a joint seminar with EnEffect.
For every participating household, the replacement remains completely free of charge. Old stoves and boilers will be dismantled, removed and recycled, while new systems – air conditioners, heat pumps or pellet boilers – will be installed in their place. In a pilot phase, households may also be offered the opportunity to install small photovoltaic systems for self-consumption. By spring 2029, approximately 10,815 households are expected to receive new heating systems. Together with the recently introduced low-emission zone, the initiative represents one of the most tangible steps toward cleaner air in Sofia.
Results so far: over 11,500 households with replaced appliances and 97% satisfaction
Since the launch of the first programme, heating appliances have been replaced in more than 11,500 households in Sofia. Under the recently completed previous project financed through the LIFE Programme, more than 5,500 old solid-fuel stoves and boilers were replaced in the capital, benefiting over 3,180 households through the free scheme.
These efforts have already produced visible improvements in air quality. Over recent years, fine particulate matter (PM) concentrations in Sofia have decreased by 44%, while the number of days exceeding air quality limits has dropped by more than 80% compared to 2016.
However, the figures tell only part of the story. The most significant impact has been the improvement in people’s daily lives. According to a survey by Alpha Research, 97% of households are satisfied with the replacement of their old heating appliances. More than half (60%) have switched to air conditioners, 30% to pellet boilers, and 10% to gas systems.
The benefits are immediate – heating becomes easier and more convenient, indoor air quality improves, and maintaining a stable indoor temperature becomes achievable for many households. The average number of heated rooms has increased, and 94% of respondents report that the new appliances are significantly easier to maintain compared to traditional wood and coal stoves.
New restrictions on stoves and transport: low-emission zones expand
Since 1 January 2025, Sofia has introduced its first low-emission zone for residential heating, covering 1,660 households in the districts of Sredets, Krasno Selo, Izgrev, Ilinden, Studentski, Oborishte, Vazrazhdane, Lozenets and Triaditsa. In these areas, heating with wood and coal is now prohibited, and affected households can participate in the free appliance replacement programme. The measure will gradually expand to cover all neighbourhoods in the capital, and by 2029 the entire city is expected to become a zone without solid-fuel stoves.
Similar measures are already demonstrating positive results in the transport sector. A new report by the environmental organisation Za Zemiata shows that the introduction of a low-emission zone for vehicles has led to a more than 10% reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) pollution within the first three months of enforcement. In some central locations, the reduction has reached 25%. These results confirm that limiting polluting sources is effective – and the longer and more comprehensively the measures are implemented, the more visible the benefits will become.
For Sofia’s residents, this means one thing: transitioning to cleaner heating is no longer only a voluntary step, but an emerging necessity. Replacing old appliances and introducing low-emission zones go hand in hand, and the more people participate in time, the sooner the entire city will benefit from cleaner air.
Communication campaign and support: what citizens can expect
To reach as many households as possible, Sofia Municipality is launching a large-scale information campaign, for which a contractor has already been selected and a contract signed. The campaign will include 90 information days in priority neighbourhoods, special events marking the start and completion of the project, as well as meetings and training sessions with local teams. Communication efforts will also include media coverage, social media outreach and advertising messages in the metro and urban spaces.
In the near future, citizens will also be able to rely on a single telephone hotline for questions, as well as a new online calculator designed to help them select the most suitable heating solution. In this way, anyone interested in participating will receive clear information and practical support – from the first step to the actual replacement of their old heating appliance.
Why participate: benefits for your home, health and budget
Living with a wood or coal stove not only pollutes outdoor air but also directly harms health inside the home. Measurements conducted by EnEffect with the support of the Clean Air Fund show that in such homes thermal comfort is disrupted for much of the time, while levels of fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide frequently exceed safe limits. This creates significant risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, especially for children and elderly people.
By comparison, homes equipped with air conditioners, heat pumps or pellet boilers maintain a more stable temperature, cleaner indoor air and a significantly safer living environment.
Replacing old appliances also offers additional benefits. Modern technologies are easier to use and save time and effort – there is no need to carry firewood, deal with dust or clean soot. The greatest effect is achieved when the replacement of heating appliances is combined with energy efficiency measures, such as installing new windows and proper thermal insulation. This leads to a sustainable reduction in heating costs, improved energy security and long-term protection of the household budget – benefits that matter not only for us, but also for our children, elderly relatives and the city as a whole.
