Seoul City Distributes 125,000 Eco-Friendly Boilers This Year... Exceeding Target

Additional 55,000 Units Distributed During Fine Dust Seasonal Management Period (Dec-Mar)
Focus on Replacing Boilers Over 10 Years Old Next Year... Emphasis on Reducing Fine Dust in Heating Sector

Example of the nameplate on the boiler before replacement.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 22nd that, as the 20 billion KRW subsidy (for 100,000 units) for the distribution of eco-friendly boilers was exhausted early and an additional budget of 5 billion KRW (for 25,000 units) was secured and provided, a total of 125,000 units have been distributed from the beginning of this year until November. This amount is 25% higher than the initial target.

Including about 45,000 units installed without subsidies due to the mandatory installation of eco-friendly boilers implemented since last April for new constructions, the total number of eco-friendly boilers distributed within Seoul has reached 170,000 units.

Starting from January next year, subsidies will only be provided for households (detached houses, apartments, villas, multi-family houses, etc.) with boilers older than 10 years or apartments switching from central heating to individual heating. Accordingly, to apply for subsidy support, applicants must submit a photo of the boiler nameplate showing the manufacturing date and serial number to prove that the boiler in use is over 10 years old.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to focus on support projects aiming to distribute 55,000 eco-friendly boilers during the 'Fine Dust Seasonal Management Period' from December to March, as the nitrogen oxide emissions, a major cause of ultrafine dust (PM-2.5), from general household boilers are 173 ppm, whereas eco-friendly household boilers emit only 20 ppm, which is one-eighth. Citizens can also receive benefits such as interest-free installment plans and cashback events from credit card companies when replacing with eco-friendly boilers.

The city will also strengthen crackdowns jointly with the Civil Life Judicial Police Unit and autonomous districts on companies violating the mandatory eco-friendly boiler regulations under the 'Special Act on Air Quality Improvement in Air Control Zones,' which has been in effect since April this year. In the first half of this year alone, three companies installing non-certified boilers were reported.

Kim Ho-sung, Director of the Green Energy Division of Seoul City, said, "Eco-friendly household boilers have a high thermal efficiency of over 92%, saving about 130,000 KRW annually on heating costs compared to general boilers," adding, "We hope citizens will switch to eco-friendly boilers to reduce fine dust, save on heating costs, and protect their health."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.