The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has published its second preliminary report on air quality for 2025. According to the report, 2025 is among the years with satisfactory air quality.

However, emission limits are still being exceeded for some substances. This mainly concerns ground-level ozone and benzo[a]pyrene. Experts have long linked benzo[a]pyrene, among other things, with local household heating.

We have been long-term monitoring the data from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute.

We have been monitoring the outputs of the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute within the Association for Ecological Wood Heating for a long time. They show an important trend. Air quality in the Czech Republic is improving in the long term.

At the same time, however, there are still areas where local heating has a significant impact on air quality. It is precisely there that it makes sense to focus attention on modernizing sources, using the correct fuel, and proper operation.

Benzo[a]pyrene remains an important indicator

According to the current report, benzo[a]pyrene values in 2025 exceeded the annual emission limit at 24 out of 64 monitored stations. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute also states that the concentrations of this substance have slightly increased year-on-year.

Despite this increase, it was the third lowest value in the entire measurement period since 2005. The long-term trend therefore remains positive.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) also reminds that the modernization of boilers in households contributes to improving air quality. The transition to other heating methods and the phasing out of the oldest solid fuel boilers also play a role.

The problem isn't modern stoves, but poor combustion

Current data again show that the problem does not lie in local heating itself. The age of the source, the quality of the fuel, and the method of combustion make a fundamental difference.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) explicitly mentions the negative impact of household heating emissions in its report. It mainly points to the burning of coal in outdated types of boilers.

That is precisely what is important to distinguish. Modern stoves and boilers, proper operation, and dry, clean wood mean significantly different emissions than an old boiler, damp fuel, or bad heating habits.

The path leads through enlightenment and modernization

For cleaner air, it makes sense to continue modernizing heat sources. Education is just as important, however. Households need to know what to burn, how to store fuel, and how to properly care for their stoves or boilers.

Modern wood-burning appliances, when operated correctly, offer an affordable and low-emission heating method. At the same time, they enhance household energy self-sufficiency.

We've already covered this topic in an earlier article. Clean air thanks to better boilers and stoves, where we highlighted the connection between air quality, modernization of sources, and proper heating methods.

The full current report from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute can be found here.