Heat Pumps in France 2025 – All the New Subsidies Explained Simply

The 2025 context: why subsidies are evolving

Facing the energy crisis and European climate targets, France aims for 1 million heat pumps installed by 2030. In 2024, only 350 000 units were installed – acceleration is needed. New thresholds favor: - Low-income households (income < €25 000/year) - Comprehensive renovations (moving from DPE F → C minimum) - Fossil fuel exits (replacing oil, gas heating) Result: grants are better targeted but also more generous for those who truly need them.

MaPrimeRénov' 2025: detailed rates

For air-to-water heat pumps: - Very low income (< €22 000): up to €5 000 - Low income (€22 000 - €30 000): €3 500 - Middle income: €2 500 - Higher income: not eligible (except for comprehensive renovation) Stackable bonuses: - Oil boiler replacement: + €1 200 - Gas boiler replacement: + €800 - BBC renovation (Low Consumption Building): + €1 500 2025 novelty: Energy audit becomes mandatory for DPE F and G homes, but it's covered 100 % (value: €800). Payment arrives within 3 to 6 weeks after approval on maprimerenov.gouv.fr.

Energy Saving Certificates (CEE): how it works

CEE are funded by energy suppliers (EDF, Engie, TotalEnergies, etc.) and 100 % stackable with MaPrimeRénov'. 2025 amounts: - Air-to-water heat pump: €800 to €1 200 depending on climate zone - Air-to-air heat pump: €450 to €700 - Geothermal heat pump: up to €1 800 How to get them? 1. Compare offers on mes-aides-renovation.fr 2. Sign up before signing the installation quote 3. Have it installed by an RGE-certified installer 4. Receive payment within 4 weeks Tip: Some RGE installers handle CEE directly and deduct them from the final quote.

Regional and local grants

Île-de-France: Up to €2 000 extra from the region + €500 from Paris City for BBC housing. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: Éco-Rénov grant of €1 500 for geothermal heat pumps. Hauts-de-France: Rev3 subsidy of €1 000 for any oil boiler replacement. Brittany: Renewable Energy Voucher of €800 for older homes (> 15 years). Occitanie: Habitat Eco-voucher of €1 200 stackable with MaPrimeRénov'. Check your eligibility on france-renov.gouv.fr by entering your postal code.

Support for RGE professionals

Facing a shortage of qualified installers (15 000 RGE tradespeople for 1 million targeted installations), the government is launching: - Training tax credit of €3 000 for tradespeople getting RGE QualiPAC certified - Hiring bonuses of €5 000 for any heat pump specialist job creation - Zero-interest financing for professional tool purchases (vacuum pumps, gauges, etc.) Goal: train 30 000 new installers by 2027.

Air-to-air vs air-to-water vs geothermal: complete comparison

Profitability calculation: 3 real examples

Case 1: 100 m² house, Auvergne, oil heating - Old oil bill: €2 400/year (1 500 L at €1.60) - Air-to-water heat pump installed: €11 500 - €6 200 grants = €5 300 out of pocket - New electricity bill: €950/year - Annual savings: €1 450 - Payback: 3.7 years Case 2: 70 m² apartment, Lyon, electric heating - Old bill: €1 100/year (electric heaters) - Air-to-air heat pump installed: €6 500 - €700 CEE = €5 800 out of pocket - New bill: €650/year - Annual savings: €450 - Payback: 12.9 years (mainly for comfort and summer AC) Case 3: 150 m² house, Normandy, gas heating - Old gas bill: €1 800/year - Geothermal heat pump: €22 000 - €9 500 grants = €12 500 out of pocket - New bill: €620/year - Annual savings: €1 180 - Payback: 10.6 years (excellent over 20-year lifespan)

Installation: what they don't always tell you

Real timelines: - Quote and technical visit: 1-2 weeks - Grant approval: 4-8 weeks - Installation: 2-3 days for air-to-water, 5-7 days for geothermal Hidden costs to expect: - Electrical code upgrades (if old panel): €500-1 500 - Old boiler removal: €300-600 - Additional insulation (if DPE < E): essential for performance Classic mistake: installing an oversized heat pump. An 8 kW unit is enough for 100 m² well-insulated, no need for 12 kW. Smart move: Demand a thermal sizing per NF EN 12831 standard. A good installer measures your heat loss room by room.

Testimonials: 3 user experiences

> Sophie, 42, Haute-Savoie (air-to-water heat pump for 2 years) > "We used 2 000 L of oil/year at €3 200. Today: €750 electricity. Our heat pump cost €5 200 after grants. Paid off in 2.5 years!" > Marc, 55, Brittany (geothermal heat pump for 1 year) > "Heavy investment (€13 000 after grants), but zero regrets. Bills cut by 3, perfect comfort even at -10°C. And with the booster pump, we even get free hot water in summer." > Léa, 34, Paris region (air-to-air heat pump for 6 months) > "Perfect for our apartment. Summer AC = essential with heatwaves. In winter, heats well down to 0°C. Below that, backup heating kicks in."

10 mistakes to absolutely avoid

1. Accepting the first quote without comparing (30 % price gap between installers) 2. Neglecting insulation (heat pump on energy sieve = money pit) 3. Choosing COP on paper without checking SCOP (real annual performance) 4. Forgetting annual maintenance (€200-300, mandatory every 2 years) 5. Installing too close to neighbors (noise nuisance = conflicts) 6. Ignoring maintenance contract (manufacturer warranty conditional on maintenance) 7. Underestimating noise (cheap models: 55 dB = lawnmower) 8. Trusting door-to-door salespeople (70 % of disputes) 9. Signing without energy audit (mandatory for MaPrimeRénov' if DPE F/G) 10. Paying cash before work (deposit max: 30 %)

2026-2027: what's coming

January 2026: Launch of hybrid heat pump bonus (heat pump + biogas boiler). Extra €2 000 grant for rural areas not connected to gas mains. Summer 2026: Gas boilers banned in new builds (already effective for oil since 2022). Heat pumps will become the standard. 2027: RE2020 (Environmental Regulation) target: all new buildings must be energy-positive. Heat pumps coupled with solar thermal will be favored. 2030 horizon: France aims for 3 million installed heat pumps. Grants will remain high until 2028, then gradually decrease. Our advice: Take advantage of 2025-2026 grants. After 2028, amounts will gradually decrease as the market scales up.

FAQ: expert answers

Can my heat pump work at -15°C? Yes, recent models (inverter) heat down to -20°C. Below -7°C, efficiency drops, but automatic electric backup kicks in. What's the lifespan? 15 to 20 years for well-maintained air-to-water, 25 years for geothermal. Can I keep my cast iron radiators? Yes, if they're low temperature (45-55°C). Old high-temp radiators (70-90°C) require oversizing the heat pump or replacing them. Do I need a Linky meter? Not mandatory, but recommended to benefit from off-peak hours and smart control. Split vs monobloc? - Split: outdoor + indoor unit, more efficient, more expensive - Monobloc: all-in-one, quick install, less effective in deep cold Can neighbors object? Not legally, but respect 3 m distance and choose a quiet model (< 45 dB). At night, outdoor unit must not exceed 5 dB(A) above ambient noise.