MaPrimeRénov': several measures removed and fossil fuel systems excluded from September 2026

The MaPrimeRénov' scheme will undergo another major change from September 1, 2026. A decree and two orders dated August 25 significantly reduce the number of works accessible in the "by gesture" pathway, extend certain exemptions until the end of 2027 and strengthen the requirements applicable to large-scale renovations.

These new rules will apply to grant applications submitted from September 1, 2026. They must therefore be quickly integrated by owners, craftsmen, design offices, agents and support providers specializing in energy renovation.

The "by gesture" approach has been significantly refocused.

The main change concerns the removal of several MaPrimeRénov' grant packages within the "step-by-step" pathway. From September 1, 2026, the following expenses will no longer be eligible for this pathway:

• independent heating or domestic hot water production equipment powered by wood or other biomass;
• heat pumps exclusively intended for the production of domestic hot water, in particular thermodynamic water heaters;
• ventilation systems;
• thermal insulation work;
• heating equipment powered by solar thermal energy or using hybrid solar collectors;
• In metropolitan France, solar thermal or hybrid equipment intended for the production of domestic hot water.

This reform marks a significant refocusing of the "step-by-step" approach. Insulation of walls, ground floors, roof slopes or attics, as well as the installation of controlled mechanical ventilation, will therefore no longer be eligible for a fixed insulation allowance under this scheme for applications submitted after August 31, 2026.

These works can nevertheless continue to be integrated into a large-scale renovation, provided that the conditions of the supported process are respected.

Air-to-water and geothermal heat pumps remain eligible.

The new scope of the "per action" pathway retains several categories of expenses. The following remain eligible:

• air/water heat pumps;
• geothermal or solar thermal heat pumps and their underground heat exchanger;
• connection to a heating or cooling network supplied mainly by renewable or recovered energy;
• the removal of an oil tank;
• carrying out an energy audit, when it is not required by regulations;
• certain solar equipment and devices for protection against solar radiation in overseas territories.

For a geothermal or solar thermal heat pump, the grant amount is set at €11.000 for very low-income households, €9.000 for low-income households, and €6.000 for middle-income households. The maximum eligible expenditure is €18.000.

For an air/water heat pump, the packages reach €5.000, €4.000 and €3.000 respectively, within the limit of an eligible expenditure of €12.000.

Higher-income households will not benefit from these subsidies. An exception exists in overseas territories for roof extensions and ventilated cladding, which remain subsidized at a rate of €15/m² for this income bracket.

Energy-inefficient buildings will retain access to the course until the end of 2027

Although their exclusion was due to take place on January 1, 2027, homes classified as F or G in the energy performance diagnosis will finally be able to continue to benefit from the "by gesture" pathway until December 31, 2027 in metropolitan France.

This extension, however, only applies to actions that remain eligible after the reform. Owners of energy-inefficient homes will therefore be able to apply for assistance for an air-to-water or geothermal heat pump, a connection to a district heating network, or the removal of an oil tank, but no longer for insulation work carried out in isolation.

The requirement to provide an energy performance certificate to access the "by action" pathway is also postponed for one year. It will come into effect on January 1, 2028, instead of January 1, 2027.

A mandatory phase-out of fossil fuels for large-scale renovations

The texts also strengthen the conditions for the MaPrimeRénov' supported process. For detached houses, the renovation project must not involve installing or retaining a heating or domestic hot water production system that includes at least one piece of equipment capable of running on fossil fuels.

In practical terms, maintaining a gas or oil boiler in a detached house may render the project ineligible for MaPrimeRénov' funding as part of a major renovation. Heat pumps combined with a backup or supplementary heating system powered by fossil fuels will also be excluded.

Equipment for connecting to a heating or cooling network is not affected by this ban.

This provision reinforces the objective of decarbonizing the residential building stock. However, it requires that the configuration of the existing heating system be checked very early on, particularly in projects where certain equipment was initially intended to be retained after the work was completed.

New certificates to be attached to quotes and invoices

The third text published in the Official Journal introduces new models of certificate to be attached to quotes when applying for a bonus, and then to invoices when the balance is paid.

These documents must specify, in particular:

• the initial energy rating of the dwelling;
• the work scenario selected in the energy audit;
• the expected gain, then actually obtained, in number of energy classes;
• the reference area of ​​the dwelling;
• details of the categories of work and their cost excluding taxes and including all taxes;
• the technical performance of the installed equipment and materials;
• any technical, architectural or heritage constraints that might justify a derogation.

The owner will also have to certify, in the case of a detached house, that the project does not plan to retain or install equipment using fossil fuels.

My Renovation Advisor will, for their part, need to verify the consistency between the work program outlined in the quotes and invoices and the scenario selected in the energy audit. They will also need to keep the household informed about the progress of the work, any outstanding issues that need to be addressed, and the proper use of the installed equipment.

Anah retains exclusive rights to the valuation of CEEs

The new certificates also remind us that the National Housing Agency has an exclusive right to value energy saving certificates associated with a project financed by MaPrimeRénov' as part of the supported pathway.

The applicant will therefore not be able to claim another Energy Savings Certificate (ESC) bonus for the same work. This rule must be clearly taken into account by companies and intermediaries when drawing up financing plans.

No parallel elimination of work in the eco-PTZ

The removal of several equipment and work items from the "step-by-step" MaPrimeRénov' program does not mean they will no longer be eligible for the zero-interest eco-loan. The third decree maintains the relevant work categories within the scope of the eco-PTZ and incorporates their technical criteria into the regulations specific to this financing.

Households will therefore be able to continue to use an eco-PTZ to finance certain insulation, ventilation, wood heating or domestic hot water production works which will no longer entitle them to a MaPrimeRénov' "per gesture" lump sum.

The decree also provides several technical details concerning, in particular, the levels of thermal resistance required for roof insulation and the performance of glazed walls.

Professionals must adapt their offerings now

For construction companies, this reform requires a rapid update of quotes, sales pitches, and financing plans offered to households. The determining factor will be the date the grant application is submitted: the new rules will apply to applications submitted from September 1, 2026.

Projects involving insulation, ventilation or wood heating will need to be reviewed to determine whether they can be integrated into a large-scale renovation or financed by another scheme, such as the eco-PTZ.

In detached houses participating in a supported energy efficiency program, the presence of a gas or oil boiler must also be identified during the energy audit. Retaining it could jeopardize the eligibility of the entire project.