Background
This financial assistance includes the installation of an air/water heat pump, a water/water or glycoled water/water heat pump, or a combined solar system (solar panel combined with a storage balloon). The new rules are laid down by decrees of 29 May, 2 July and 17 August 2026. They focus on the quality of equipment and industrial resilience.
Why it's important
Choosing an unapproved heat pump model may result in a refusal of the premium and leave the entire financial burden of the work to the occupant. Check conditions before purchase avoids costly error. Advisors France Rénov' can check eligibility for free and help choose the installation.
What Changes
Since 1 September 2026, the premium for a heat pump is granted only if the model has been approved by the State. For a combined solar system, the premium is conditioned by the complete decarbonisation, after work, of the heating system and/or the production of sanitary hot water.
Useful details
- The premium finances the replacement of a boiler with gas, coal or oil by: an air/water heat pump; a water/water or glycoled water/water heat pump; a combined solar system (solar panel + storage tank).
- The approval of heat pumps requires two conditions: a European certification guaranteeing quality, and a production in the European Economic Area (EEA).
- For single block heat pumps, the final assembly of the refrigeration circuit shall take place in the EEA; for split heat pumps (at least 2 separate units), the final assembly of at least one subset of the refrigeration circuit shall take place in the EEA.
- The list of approved heat pump models is laid down in the Decree of 2 July 2026.
- For the combined solar system, the work shall not lead to the installation or maintenance of a sanitary heating and/or hot water system incorporating at least one equipment capable of using fossil fuels.
- The amount of the premium is not fixed: it depends on the nature of the work, the level of resources, etc. References: Decree of 17 August 2026, Decree of 2 July 2026, Decree No 2026-413 of 29 May 2026 and Decree of 29 May 2026.
Terms to know
- prime « coup de pouce chauffage »
- Financial aid from the Energy Saving Certificates (EEC) scheme to replace a former heating system
- pompe à chaleur
- Heating equipment that draws heat from air or water; "air/water" and "water/water" means the source of heat
- système solaire combiné
- Together a solar panel and a storage balloon for heating and hot water
- EEE (Espace économique européen)
- Area comprising the European Union and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
- agrément de l'État
- Official validation issued by the administration to heat pump models meeting quality and industrial resilience criteria
- décarbonation
- Removal of the use of fossil fuels (gas, fuel oil, coal) in the heating system
