FAQ
TL;DR: District heat bills average PLN 250/month for a 42 m² flat, while pellet users warm 80 m² for PLN 3000/year; “No fires, no smoke” improves safety [Elektroda, karolark, #10565447; Elektroda, eljarkos, #10568684].
Why it matters: Picking the wrong system locks you into years of higher costs or lower comfort.
Quick Facts
• Typical district-heating subscription: PLN 20–35 / month per flat [URE Tariff, 2022].
• Connection fee: approx. PLN 150–250 per kW contracted power [URE Tariff, 2022].
• Household coal price: PLN 500 / t loose – PLN 900 / t bagged [Elektroda, William Bonawentura, #10566548].
• Retail pellet cost: PLN 580–740 / t in bags [Elektroda, karolark, #10610472; Elektroda, Grzegorz Siemienowicz, #10610438].
• Heat supplier stops at ≈16 °C outdoor temp using weather control [Elektroda, eljarkos, post #10568684]
Which option is usually cheaper for a 40 m², 3.2 m-high tenement flat?
Self-heating with coal or pellets tends to cost 20–50 % less than district heat if you already own the stove and fuel store [Elektroda, darek_wp, #10566668; Elektroda, eljarkos, #10568684].
What hidden charges come with district heating?
You pay a fixed monthly subscription for the connection plus metered energy; the fee applies even when radiators are off [Elektroda, darek_wp, post #10566668]
How much do users actually pay per square metre?
One forum user spends PLN 250/month for 42 m²—about PLN 6/m²—billed all year [Elektroda, karolark, post #10570026]
Is comfort really higher with district heat?
Yes. "No fires, no smoke" and stable indoor temperatures require no daily fuel handling [Elektroda, eljarkos, post #10568684]
Can I control heating during warm spring days?
Only partly. Weather-compensated nodes should shut off above 16 °C, yet users reported pipes staying hot at 28 °C outside [Elektroda, Zbigniew Rusek, #11355304].
What initial costs should I budget for network connection?
Add connection fee (≈PLN 150–250/kW), heat-substation installation, and apartment meters; a 10 kW flat may reach PLN 3 000–5 000 upfront [URE Tariff, 2022].
How efficient is a modern pellet or coal stove with water jacket?
Certified units reach 80–86 % efficiency, similar to small district boilers [“Ecodesign Boilers”, 2021].
Edge case: what if the network overheats my flat?
Close radiator valves and insulate risers; if overheating persists, request node re-programming—it’s a documented failure scenario [Elektroda, Zbigniew Rusek, #10566044].
How do I estimate my annual heating budget?
- Note last season’s fuel use or meter reading.
- Multiply by current fuel or GJ price.
- Add fixed subscription or maintenance costs.
This 3-step check avoids surprise under- or over-payments.
Environmental impact comparison?
District plants burn bulk coal 50 % cheaper and with flue-gas cleaning, cutting SO₂ by 90 % versus small stoves [KOBiZE Report, 2022].
How much storage space does solid fuel need?
Five tonnes of pellets occupy about 7 m³—roughly a small shed; district heat needs none [Elektroda, karolark, post #10565447]
Can I refuse a cooperative’s district-heat plan?
Legally you may vote against it, but once the majority signs, individual disconnection requests are often denied [Elektroda, darek_wp, post #10566668]
