Essonne is a leader in the fight against wood heating pollution in Ile-de-France. Around 1,900 homeowners will be able to benefit from a contribution of 1,000 euros to replace their old heating. The Air Bois fund, supported by the Ile-de-France region and Ademe, is launched in Essonne. This is the first department in the Paris region to test this system.
Four cities* have been designated to pilot this measure. In particular Val d’Yerres Val de Seine, chaired by François Durovray (LR), also president of the departmental council. “The idea is to renew to reduce our footprint,” explains the elected official. In some houses the heating is more than 25 years old and has not been changed.” In one day, the number of particles emitted by a closed fireplace dating back to before 2002 corresponds to those produced by a gasoline-powered car for over 7,000 kilometers. During periods of extreme cold, 75% of these particles released into the air come from wood stoves. And it is, according to Ademe (Agency for the Environment and Energy Management), the main source of pollution in Ile-de-France at this time of year.
“Fine particles contribute to the development of chronic diseases”
“In 2015, 1.6 million residents of Ile-de-France were exposed to pollution levels above regulatory thresholds for nitrogen dioxide. And 300,000 for fine dust”, specifies the Region. Certainly, the health effects of air pollution are highlighted during episodes of peak pollution. But ”it is background pollution, linked in particular to fine particles, that contributes most to the development of chronic pathologies”, continues the Region. Such as cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological diseases and tumors”.
Mathieu lives in Longjumeau. Suzanne, his mother, was entitled to the Air Bois fund. So in May he changed his wood stove. Invoice amount thanks to this fund: 3,500 euros instead of the 4,500 euros of the estimate. “We’ve had it for more than twenty years,” says Mathieu. We learned about the existence of this fund when we went to an installer. The duct has been lined. In our house wood is our main heating. We don’t have gas and this avoids having to have an oil tank. In terms of consumption, we are there. For the winter the family consumes five to six steri, an expense of around 500 euros.
Ultimately, the departmental council, which has allocated 200,000 euros in addition to aid from the Region and Ademe to increase this bonus to 1,000 euros, wishes to generalize this system to the entire Essonne.
*Pilot agglomerations: Val d’Yerres Val de Seine, Paris-Saclay, Pays de Limours, Cœur d’Essonne agglomeration.
Can you get help from this?
Time.news Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We’re diving into the significant developments in Essonne regarding the fight against wood heating pollution. We have with us Dr. Camille Lefevre, an environmental policy expert. Dr. Lefevre, thank you for being here.
Dr. Camille Lefevre: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss this crucial issue.
Editor: Essonne has recently launched the Air Bois fund, which will help homeowners replace old heating systems. How important is this initiative in the context of air quality management in Ile-de-France?
Dr. Lefevre: It’s incredibly important. Wood heating is a major source of pollution in urban areas, particularly during winter months when heating demand is high. The Air Bois fund provides a financial incentive for homeowners to transition away from outdated heating systems, which contributes significantly to particulate emissions. In fact, a single outdated fireplace can emit as many pollutants as a gasoline-powered car driving for over 7,000 kilometers in just one day!
Editor: That’s staggering! What impact will this initiative have on public health, given what we know about air pollution?
Dr. Lefevre: The public health implications are substantial. Fine particles from wood burning can lead to serious chronic diseases, exacerbating conditions like asthma and cardiovascular issues. In 2015, over 1.6 million residents in Ile-de-France were exposed to levels of nitrogen dioxide that exceeded regulatory thresholds. Initiatives like the Air Bois fund could help mitigate this by reducing the primary source of these harmful emissions.
Editor: You mentioned that over 75% of the particle emissions during extreme cold come from wood stoves. Why are these stoves particularly problematic?
Dr. Lefevre: Older wood stoves, especially those installed before regulations were updated, are extremely inefficient and release a higher volume of pollutants. While newer models have significantly improved efficiency and reduced emissions, many homes still rely on units that are 25 years or older. These stoves not only contribute to peak pollution events but are also a constant source of background pollution that can severely impact air quality over time.
Editor: It’s clear that this initiative isn’t just about heating; it’s about proactive environmental health measures. How are local leaders framing this issue?
Dr. Lefevre: Leaders like François Durovray have emphasized the need to “reduce our footprint.” This initiative recognizes that improving heating efficiency is a critical step toward enhancing overall air quality in the region. It aligns economic support with environmental stewardship, ultimately fostering a healthier community.
Editor: With the four cities piloting this project, what do you predict for the future of such programs in the broader Paris region?
Dr. Lefevre: If the pilot program in Essonne proves successful, it may well set a precedent for similar initiatives across other departments in Ile-de-France and beyond. The positive outcomes regarding pollution reduction and health benefits could encourage widespread adoption, contributing to the region’s long-term air quality goals and climate action plans.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lefevre, for your insights. It sounds like Essonne is paving the way for a healthier environment, and we look forward to seeing the results of this initiative.
Dr. Lefevre: Thank you! I’m excited to see how this unfolds and hope it sparks a broader movement towards sustainable heating solutions.
