The Joint Ministerial Decision (B’ 6969/2024) was signed for the announcement of the “Change Heating System and Water Heater” program of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, which will support households in the country for the installation of new solar water heaters and/or heat pump systems of modern technology.

The EIA, which includes the Guide of the program amounting to 223.2 million euros, was signed by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Thodoros Skylakakis, and the Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis.

It is noted that the program is being implemented in the framework of “RePowerEU”, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” with funding from the European Union – NextGeneration EU.

In particular, as regards the characteristics of “Change Heating System and Water Heater”:

In addition to the support of households for the installation of new solar water heaters and/or heat pump systems of modern technology, the possibility of replacing energy-intensive electric heaters of old technology is also provided. However, this provision is not a prerequisite for the participation of interested parties in the program.

It is worth noting that out of the total budget of €223.2 million, €44.6 million is earmarked for energy vulnerable households.

The main objectives of the program include: improving the energy efficiency of households and saving financial resources by reducing energy consumption.

The main objective of the energy efficiency objectives is to reduce energy consumption by reducing energy consumption.

In addition, it will contribute to reducing the use of heating systems based on fossil fuels and biomass, which pollute the atmosphere with particulate matter.

Through the “Change Heating System and Water Heater” grant:
⦁ The purchase of a new solar water heater of modern technology, at a rate of 50% or 60%, with the exact percentage being based on income criteria.
⦁ The purchase of a new heat pump system, at a rate of 50%.
⦁ The performance of necessary additional work to install eligible equipment (e.g., transportation costs, installation costs, supplies and accessories, etc.), at a rate of 50% or 60% (depending on income criteria).

The program is intended for households wishing to install the above eligible equipment in their home (primary or secondary residence, rented or rented out).

Meanwhile, under the “Change Heating System and Water Heaters” program, emphasis is being placed on potential beneficiaries of another program, “Recycle – Change Water Heaters” with unredeemed vouchers. In particular, interested parties who had not redeemed their vouchers are invited to reapply using the same VAT number.

Funding applications are evaluated comparatively and account is taken of the existence or not of a disabled member(s) in the family, if the application concerns families with three or more dependent children, if the dwelling is in atmospherically polluted regions (only for the new heat pump system), in areas with a high number of rating days.

Applications for funding from interested parties will only be submitted electronically from 8.1.2025 to 31.3.2025 and must be submitted via the official website of the programme (https://allazothermansi-thermosifona.gov.gr). Interested parties for further information can call (operational from 8.1.2025): 2131513753 (weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.).

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theo Skylakakis, said: “Through the “Change Heating System and Water Heater” programme, we are financially supporting households in the country – taking special care of our vulnerable citizens – for interventions involving the installation of new solar water heaters and modern technology heat pump systems. By giving them an incentive to invest in these modern technologies, the benefit is twofold, in terms of upgrading the energy efficiency of their homes and saving money by reducing their energy consumption.”

The Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, noted: “Following the Government’s initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of homes, increase the use of renewable energy sources and save money by reducing energy consumption, we are implementing another programme to replace existing heating systems with new modern technology. In this case too, social criteria were taken into account in order to benefit vulnerable households and people with disabilities. This is the best answer to the question ‘where the money from the Recovery Fund goes’. This is another practical proof of matching words and deeds, another commitment to our fellow citizens that is being put into practice.”