What are different heat pump types and what is best for my French home?

Reader question: I have heard that heat pumps can be a good solution for eco-friendly energy but am not sure what type would suit my home. Can I receive financial help to install one?

Under the single category of heat pumps (pompes à chaleur) there are two main types, known as air-water (air-eau) and air-air systems.

A third kind, water-water (eau-eau) - or geothermal pumps - is available, but are much less common with only a few thousands being installed annually in France. 

They are more complex and more expensive than their counterparts.

Water-air pumps provide a full-scale conversion of a property’s heating system, by taking air from outside, using it to heat water that powers your home’s heating supply. 

They also provide a property with a hot water supply, by installing a tank that keeps a portion of the heated water is kept for domestic supply 

It costs around €10,000 - €15,000 to install this type of system and they are generally suited for larger properties and those in cooler climates.

Alongside the high costs, the systems need more maintenance, but in turn have a longer lifespan (around 20-25 years) and can significantly cut the cost of monthly energy bills.

Air-air pumps act more like all-season air conditioning and heating units. 

They also take air from the outside, and then convert it to either heat or cool a home based on the outside temperature (using a refrigerant device). 

However, it cannot be used to heat water, and is not connected to the rest of the home’s energy supply (ie. it is separate from any radiators). 

This makes them cheaper to install (€1,500 to around €5,000) but they have a more limited impact and a slightly shorter lifespan, needing to be replaced every 15 years or so. However, they benefit from cheaper maintenance.

Ultimately, they help reduce bills and are an energy efficient form of air conditioning.

Other differences include installation times – air-water pumps can take several days to install as they need to be connected to a wider system – as well as usefulness in certain climates, with air-air pumps struggling in very cold climates.

What aids are available?

The government is looking to see an increase in the number of heat pumps installed across the country, aiming for up to one-million European produced pumps installed per year by 2030.

This is combined with a new scheme from EDF to provide €1,000 grants towards 80,000 heat pumps in lower-income households. 

Both air-air and air-water systems can qualify, although there is a push for water-air installation as these are seen as having greater ecological benefit. 

The MaPrimeRénov’ eco-renovation grant scheme offers assistance for water-air pump installation, offering up to 80% of the installation cost depending on household income and location.

It does not cover the installation of an air-air pump on its own, however if you are installing an air-air heat pump alongside several other renovations as part of a major project, can benefit from funding.

Full information on how MaPrimeRénov’ funding works for heat pumps can be found on the Service Public website (search for 'pompe à chaleur' or 'chauffage').

Both pumps benefit from reduced VAT (5.5%, but installation of an air-air system sees a VAT rate of 10% for the work done), as well as eligibility for zero-interest eco loans from banks.

These installations can also benefit from the potential use of energy certificate schemes (Certificats d'Economie d'Energie; CEE) to help part fund installations, such as the Coup de pouce chauffage for water-air installations. 

Note that the government is planning to clarify and update these rules in September 2026, to promote European-manufactured units but also make it easier to apply for the aid.

For air-air units, there is less financial aid, though some schemes exist via the CEE also

One thing to note is that the MaPrimeRénov’ cannot be used to fund works at a second home, and this might also apply to the incoming government leasing and EDF schemes. 

However, CEE-funded grants are sometimes available for second homes– check with any suppliers first if this applies to you. 

Other sources of advice include an espace France Rénov, your mairie and local installers.