ENERGY RENOVATION: WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE 1 SEPTEMBER 2026
Since 1 September 2026, several changes have been introduced to energy renovation support schemes. These notably concern the Heating Boost scheme for the installation of an air-to-water heat pump and MaPrimeRénov’ as part of a comprehensive renovation project.
These new measures are part of a broader approach aimed at strengthening quality requirements for supported equipment and further decarbonising heating and domestic hot water systems. So, what exactly has changed?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✔️ The Heating Boost scheme is changing: since 1 September 2026, an air-to-water heat pump must notably have the “quality and industrial resilience” approval required by the French government to qualify for this CEE bonus.
✔️ European manufacturing is now one of the criteria for this approval, alongside certification requirements. However, being manufactured in Europe is not enough: the specific model must be officially approved.
✔️ MaPrimeRénov’ for comprehensive renovations is also changing: for detached houses, projects must now include the decarbonisation of heating and domestic hot water systems.
Heating Boost scheme: new requirements for heat pumps
The Heating Boost scheme is a bonus available under the Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) scheme. Subject to certain conditions, it can notably support the replacement of an individual gas, oil or coal boiler with an air-to-water heat pump.
Since 1 September 2026, the requirements have changed: to qualify for this bonus, the heat pump model installed must notably have the approval required by the French government in terms of quality and industrial resilience.
Quality and industrial resilience: what does this new approval mean?
The approval is based in particular on requirements relating to equipment certification and certain stages of its manufacturing within the European Economic Area (EEA).
For a monobloc heat pump, the final assembly of the refrigerant circuit must notably be carried out within the EEA. For a split heat pump, this requirement applies to the final assembly of at least one sub-assembly of the refrigerant circuit.
This change therefore introduces an additional industrial criterion into the requirements for qualifying for the bonus.
Key takeaway: European manufacturing alone is not sufficient to guarantee eligibility for the Heating Boost scheme. It is important to check that the exact equipment model has the required approval at the time the project is initiated.
MaPrimeRénov’: stronger decarbonisation requirements for comprehensive renovations
Another change introduced on 1 September 2026 concerns the requirements for MaPrimeRénov’ – Comprehensive Renovation for detached houses.
The projects concerned must now include the decarbonisation of heating and domestic hot water systems.
This change aims to accelerate the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels as part of comprehensive renovation projects and encourage the use of lower-carbon heating systems.
It specifically applies to the Comprehensive Renovation pathway. MaPrimeRénov’ also continues to support certain individual renovation measures under its single-measure pathway, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
What does this mean for a renovation project?
These new provisions make it even more important to prepare your project carefully in advance.
Before starting any work, it is essential to assess the characteristics of the property, its insulation, heating and domestic hot water requirements, compatibility with existing equipment, and the sizing of the future system.
If the project involves financial support, the requirements of the relevant scheme should also be checked before signing a quote and starting the work.
For the Heating Boost scheme, this now also means checking that the chosen heat pump model has the required approval.
Support schemes that continue to evolve
Energy renovation support schemes evolve regularly. The applicable requirements may depend on the property, the planned work, the household’s circumstances and the date on which the project is initiated.
It is therefore recommended to check the current eligibility criteria before starting any work and to seek professional advice to identify a solution suited to the characteristics of the property.
To find out more, visit our dedicated page on financial support for energy renovation and the requirements currently in force.
FAQ – ENERGY RENOVATION: CHANGES INTRODUCED IN SEPTEMBER 2026
To qualify for the Heating Boost bonus when installing an air-to-water heat pump, the model installed must notably have French government approval in terms of quality and industrial resilience.
No. Manufacturing within the European Economic Area is one of the criteria taken into account for approval, but it is not sufficient on its own. The exact heat pump model must have the required approval, and the other conditions of the scheme must also be met.
No. The new approval requirement presented in this article applies to the Heating Boost bonus. Other financial support schemes have their own eligibility criteria.
For detached houses covered by MaPrimeRénov’ Comprehensive Renovation, projects must now include the decarbonisation of heating and domestic hot water systems.
Yes. The individual renovation measures pathway remains separate from Comprehensive Renovation and continues to support certain types of work, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
