France to end eco-renovation funding for homes with a gas boiler
Properties must not have gas boiler by end of works to access grant scheme
Properties will need to change their boiler as part of renovation plans, or already have a more eco-friendly boiler installed
Lithiumphoto/Shutterstock
Homeowners undertaking eco-property renovations will soon only be able to access government funds if the renovations either include plans to get rid of a gas boiler, or if there was already no gas boiler on the property.
From September 1, 2026, funding through the MaPrimeRénov’ scheme will be dependent on the property not having a gas boiler at the end of the work, either due to it being changed as part of the funded renovations or because the home already had another form of boiler before the work began.
It applies to funding for major projects (projets d’ampleur) that consist of several changes to a property to improve its energy rating – including the replacement of a gas boiler for a more efficient and ecological version – the government announced today (April 23).
It is part of a wider ‘electrification plan’ in France that looks to transition households and companies away from gas heating, including a lofty aim to see up to one million European-manufactured heat pumps installed in French homes per year by 2030, measures being deployed with increasing urgency in light of the war in the Middle East and the ensuing energy and fuel crises.
“The current crisis… shows once again the urgency of accelerating, from today, the electrification of our uses,” the government said.
Another change announced today was that from January 1, 2027, the eco-loan for social housing (éco-prêt logement social) would be dependent on properties replacing or not having a gas boiler.
The government already announced that gas boilers would be banned in new homes from 2027 onwards.
The MaPrimeRénov’ scheme only recently reopened after several closures in the last year, related to a large number of reported scam applications and budgetary issues.
More changes for heat pumps
Despite the headlines, the changes are only set to impact a relatively minor number of applications.
“Only 10% of major renovations have so far retained fossil fuel heating systems,” said Housing Minister Vincent Jeanbrun when announcing the scheme.
The changes will however link closely to plans already announced regarding heat pumps (pompes à chaleur).
Earlier this month, the government announced it was looking into a ‘social leasing’ plan for low-income households to aid with heat pump installation.
It would work with MaPrimeRénov’ grants, and indeed use them as a major basis for the funding.
The government said today that it is looking to introduce a ‘turnkey’ offer for heat pump installation, that would combine installation, maintenance, and electricity bill costs into one single monthly contract.
It would deduct any subsidies given for the installation from the final payout households needed to make.
A call for project tenders will be made to find suitable companies to offer such a scheme, and the government will also publish details on average expected costs for heat pump installations to prevent households from overspending.
Further down the line, there are plans to reanalyse property energy ratings (diagnostic de performance énergétique, DPE) in light of the increased number of heat pumps set to be installed.
This would see the coefficient de conversion de l'électricité (electricity conversion factor) updated to reflect the installations. This was last changed in January 2026.
