Hybrid heat pumps: an unjustified attack against a key solution for the energy transition

For Coénove, this double measure constitutes an incomprehensible vendetta, contrary to both the energy transition, the purchasing power of households and French and European industrial interests.

In practice, the impact would be massive: for a 100 m2 house in zone H1, the CEE bonus would reach around €4.000 for an electric heat pump against less than €1.000 for a hybrid heat pump — a difference of more than €3.000, which would discourage the use of a solution that is nevertheless efficient, flexible and produced by our French and European manufacturers.

A decision based on questionable findings regarding greenhouse gas emissions

The government justifies this elimination of the "boost" by citing emissions that are "2 to 3 times higher" for hybrid heat pumps. Coénove denounces this as an inaccurate estimate, contradicted by a recent study from the company Artelys: in the decarbonization scenarios studied, hybrid heat pumps exhibit emission levels comparable to those of electric heat pumps, while reducing the cost to the community, the strain on the electrical grid in winter, and the risks associated with various hazards.

An energy, environmental and industrial contradiction

Hybrid heat pumps precisely meet the needs of France:

Relieving pressure on the electrical system during peak periods

In a sector highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations like buildings, the Artelys study demonstrates that an excessive electrification strategy can prove counterproductive and risky. The widespread adoption of electric systems significantly increases power demand during winter, creates strain on the supply-demand balance, and intensifies the need for flexibility. Hybrid heat pumps, on the other hand, allow for:

• to install a lower power heat pump,
• to relieve the electrical system in the event of high voltages on the network,
• and therefore to strengthen the robustness and resilience of our energy systems in the face of possible hazards that may occur in the coming years (less renovation of buildings leading to overconsumption in winter, systemic problems on our electricity production fleet, ...).

A strategic advantage ignored by the measures under consideration.

Preserve purchasing power and avoid overinvestment

Hybrid heat pumps help to avoid:

• the additional costs associated with installing a more powerful, all-electric heat pump,
• the associated work and any modifications to the electrical installation (three-phase) or the addition of a tank to manage the DHW (Domestic Hot Water),
• the possible replacement of radiators that are not well suited to low temperatures.

Hybrid heat pumps are currently the best-suited solutions for the progressive renovation of the building stock, including in rural areas or in constrained housing.

Supporting Franco-European industry and the "1 million CAPs" plan

Hybrid heat pumps are a strategic product for French and European manufacturers who have mastered hot water loop heating and hybridization technologies.

To weaken them is to weaken:

• an industrial excellence sector and its network for the upkeep, maintenance and repair of equipment,
• energy sovereignty,
• and the national objective of accelerating the deployment of PACs.

An over-implementation of European law contrary to the DPEB

The European Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD), adopted in 2024, explicitly authorises financial incentives for hybrid systems — unlike stand-alone fossil fuel boilers.

Equating hybrid heat pumps with these systems is a clear misinterpretation, already denounced for several months by Coénove and numerous industry stakeholders. France would be doing more than simply transposing existing practices: it would be over-transposing them, to the detriment of its energy transition and its own manufacturers.

Coénove demands the immediate withdrawal of these measures

Coénove calls on the Government to:

• Maintain the CEE "boost" on hybrid heat pumps,
• Abandoning the VAT increase from 5,5% to 20% is an unjustified and legally questionable measure.
• Examine the conclusions of the Artelys study "Perspectives 2030" and move beyond an excessively electro-centric vision that could prove risky for the country's energy future and poorly suited to the building sector,
• Encourage the development of green gases and the promotion of a diversified energy mix.

For Jean-Charles Colas-Roy, Chairman of Coénove: “Attacking hybrid heat pumps today weakens a solution that enjoys widespread support. What is the point of stigmatizing high-performing equipment by penalizing households and businesses that want to install hybrid heat pumps and risk turning to less efficient solutions? Reducing subsidies for hybrid systems is shooting ourselves in the foot by disadvantaging our French and European manufacturers who have mastered these technologies and by hindering solutions that rely on a diversified and resilient energy mix, combining decarbonized electrons and greening gas molecules.”

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.