Heat Pump in France 2026: Price, MaPrimeRenov and Expat Guide
Real prices, current MaPrimeRenov amounts, RGE installer rule and the savings you can actually expect. Written for homeowners and expats heating a French home.
Key Takeaways
- A properly sized heat pump delivers a COP of 3 to 5: 1 kWh of electricity returns 3 to 5 kWh of heat.
- Three families: air-to-air (€5,000-10,000), air-to-water (€12,000-18,000) and geothermal (€20,000-35,000) installed.
- MaPrimeRenov par geste: €3,000-5,000 for air-to-water, €6,000-11,000 for geothermal by income tier (ANAH).
- RGE-certified installer is mandatory for every subsidy (Service-Public F35083).
- Typical saving vs an old oil or gas boiler: €500 to €1,200 per year (ADEME).
1. What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump (pompe à chaleur or PAC in French) captures calories from the environment (outdoor air, water, ground) and transfers them inside the home through a reversed thermodynamic cycle. The same machine can cool the home in summer if it is reversible.
The French ADEME classifies heat pumps as a mature low-carbon heating solution. Decree 2023-444 governs refrigerants: R-32, with a much lower global warming potential, is replacing R-410A which is banned in new units since 2025.
COP Principle (Coefficient of Performance)
COP measures heat pump efficiency: for every 1 kWh of electricity consumed, the unit returns 3 to 5 kWh of useful heat.
= 1 kWh electricity → 4 kWh heat
To compare real seasonal performance, look at SCOP (section 8). To shave the bill further, see off-peak hours and the Tempo EDF tariff.
2. The Three Heat Pump Types
Air-to-Air Heat Pump (Reversible AC)
Captures calories from outdoor air and pushes them inside through split indoor units. Often picked by expats already in an electrically heated flat or to add cooling.
- Quick install, 1 to 3 days
- Heating AND cooling
- No domestic hot water
- Not eligible for MaPrimeRenov par geste
Air-to-Water Heat Pump
Captures calories from outdoor air and transfers them to the existing hot-water loop (radiators, underfloor heating, hot-water tank). This is the most common replacement for an oil or gas boiler in France.
- Works with existing hydronic loop
- Produces domestic hot water (bibloc models)
- Eligible for MaPrimeRenov, CEE and eco-loan
- Outdoor unit can be noisy (40-55 dB)
Geothermal Heat Pump (Ground-Source)
Captures calories from the ground (horizontal collectors or vertical boreholes) or groundwater. Best seasonal performance, but highest upfront cost and ground works.
- SCOP 4-5, stable year-round
- No visible outdoor unit
- Top MaPrimeRenov amounts (up to €11,000)
- Boreholes or earthworks, Code minier declaration
3. Pros, Limits and Key Numbers
Pros
- • Real savings of €500-1,200/year vs oil or gas (ADEME)
- • Renewable, low-carbon energy
- • Subsidies can cover up to 90% of cost (Blue income tier)
- • 15-20 year lifespan
- • Boosts DPE rating and property value
- • Cooling available on reversible models
Limits
- • High upfront cost (€12,000-35,000)
- • Outdoor unit can be noisy at the façade
- • Efficiency drops below -7 to -10 degrees Celsius
- • Underperforms in poorly insulated homes
- • Mandatory maintenance every 2 years (decree 2020-912)
- • Only RGE installers unlock subsidies
An energy audit and proper thermal insulation should come before any heat pump quote. Pairing a heat pump with solar self-consumption or a green electricity contract improves the carbon balance further.
4. Prices and Installation Costs
| Heat Pump Type | Equipment Only | With Installation | Typical SCOP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air-to-Air | €3,000 - €6,000 | €5,000 - €10,000 | 3.5 - 4 |
| Air-to-Water | €8,000 - €14,000 | €12,000 - €18,000 | 3 - 4.5 |
| Geothermal | €12,000 - €20,000 | €20,000 - €35,000 | 4 - 5 |
Indicative ranges for 2026, single-family home of 100-150 m², before subsidies. Sources: ADEME france-renov.gouv.fr and AFPAC.
Worked example: 120 m² home, air-to-water replacing an oil boiler
- • Old oil bill: around €2,500/year
- • New electric bill with air-to-water (SCOP 4): around €900/year
- • Annual saving: around €1,600/year (ADEME ballpark)
- • Investment: €15,000 installed
- • Typical aid (Yellow tier): €4,000 MaPrimeRenov + €3,000 CEE = €7,000
- • Out-of-pocket: around €8,000
- • Payback: around 5 years
See our reduce your energy consumption guide to push savings further.
5. 2026 Subsidies and Tax Breaks
Four French schemes can stack. They all require an RGE installer and a main residence at least 15 years old (2 years in overseas territories), per Service-Public F35083.
Flat amount depending on household income tier (Blue, Yellow, Violet, Pink) and heat pump type:
- • Air-to-water: €3,000 to €5,000 by income
- • Geothermal or solar-thermal: €6,000 to €11,000
- • Air-to-air: not eligible par geste
Official source: anah.gouv.fr and france-renov.gouv.fr.
Premium paid by energy suppliers: €2,000 to €4,500 depending on climate zone, equipment and Coup de pouce bonus.
Applies to both equipment and labour for homes older than 2 years, instead of standard 20% (article 278-0 bis A CGI).
Up to €50,000 over 20 years, no interest, to finance the heat pump and bundled insulation works.
Bottom line: the subsidies stack. A Blue-tier household can cover up to 90% of a geothermal heat pump. See also energy bill assistance and the full MaPrimeRenov guide.
6. RGE Installer: The Linchpin
The RGE label (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement) is awarded for 4 years by accredited bodies: Qualibat, Qualit'EnR (Quali-PAC), Qualifelec. Service-Public F35083 confirms that MaPrimeRenov, CEE and the 5.5% VAT rate hinge on an RGE installer holding the right qualification for the job.
- Check the qualification on the official directory at france-renov.gouv.fr.
- A mandatory technical site visit must precede the quote; the visit date must appear on quote and invoice.
- The quote must list SCOP, brand, model and rated power.
- The RGE certificate must be active on the day the contract is signed.
In doubt, a free France Rénov advisor (+33 8 08 80 07 00, France-only number) walks you through the steps.
7. Expat Checklist: Second Homes vs Main Residence
MaPrimeRenov tracks the property and the household income reported in France, not nationality. The split looks like this for non-French homeowners:
- Resident expats, main residence: eligible for the full stack (MaPrimeRenov + CEE + 5.5% VAT + eco-loan) provided the home is at least 15 years old.
- Non-resident, second home or rental investment: not eligible for MaPrimeRenov, but the 5.5% VAT applies on materials and labour. The eco-loan needs a French bank account and a French tax address.
- Landlords: if the tenant uses the home as a main residence, MaPrimeRenov for landlords (MaPrimeRenov Logement décent) can apply, with a six-year rental commitment.
- DPE warning: homes rated F can no longer be rented as new leases from 2025, and G from 2025. A heat pump is one of the most direct ways to move from F to D or C.
- Practical tip: always quote prices and aids in euros. Hire a translator if needed; the RGE installer must speak French to fill the dossier.
8. How to Choose the Right Unit
1. Map the home's needs
- • Heated surface, ceiling height, insulation level
- • Domestic hot water integrated or separate?
- • Climate zone (H1, H2 or H3)
- • Existing hydronic loop or all-electric?
2. Compare SCOP and SEER
- • Aim for SCOP at least 4 in heating mode
- • On reversible units, check SEER in cooling mode
- • Minimum A+++ energy label recommended
3. Stress-test the quotes
- • Get at least 3 written quotes
- • Active RGE certificate listed
- • Warranty for equipment, labour and compressor spelled out
- • Commissioning and maintenance contract included
Tip: always ask for the ErP energy label and the SCOP value of the actual model proposed. SCOP above 4 is a reliable benchmark for a serious air-to-water heat pump.
9. Choose by French Climate Zone
Metropolitan France is split into three climate zones (H1 cold, H2 temperate, H3 warm) which drive sizing and pump type.
| Zone | Regions | Recommended heat pump | Rated power (120 m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 (cold) | North, East, Massif Central, Alps | High-temperature air-to-water or geothermal | 12-15 kW |
| H2 (temperate) | Centre, West, Rhône Valley | Standard air-to-water, air-to-air for cooling needs | 8-12 kW |
| H3 (warm) | Mediterranean coast, Corsica | Reversible air-to-air suffices, geothermal oversized | 6-10 kW |
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Fitting a heat pump in a poorly insulated house. COP collapses and bills climb. Run an energy audit first.
- Signing the quote before MaPrimeRenov pre-approval. Any signature before filing kills the subsidy.
- Oversizing the unit. Short-cycling, premature compressor wear and bad real-world SCOP.
- Forgetting the planning declaration. Outdoor units visible from the street usually need a town-hall declaration.
- Hiring a non-RGE installer. No subsidies, no 5.5% VAT, warranty often disputed.
- Underestimating noise. Check the dB(A) at 1 m and any local noise regulation.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a heat pump cost in France in 2026?▼
Installation included: air-to-air €5,000-10,000, air-to-water €12,000-18,000, geothermal €20,000-35,000. With MaPrimeRenov, CEE and 5.5% VAT, the out-of-pocket can drop by 50-90% depending on income band.
What subsidies are available for heat pumps in France in 2026?▼
MaPrimeRenov par geste pays €3,000-5,000 for air-to-water and €6,000-11,000 for geothermal, depending on income tier. CEE add €2,000-4,500. VAT is reduced to 5.5%. The eco-loan can fund up to €50,000. Air-to-air is not eligible for MaPrimeRenov par geste.
Do heat pumps work in cold French winters?▼
Modern units operate to -15 degrees Celsius, certain models to -25. COP drops with cold, so SCOP is the right metric. In climate zone H1, keep an electric backup or the old boiler as winter relief.
Can expats buying a French property qualify for MaPrimeRenov?▼
Yes if the home is your main residence in France (or rented as a main residence). Non-resident second-home owners can still use the 5.5% VAT and the eco-loan via a French bank account, but not MaPrimeRenov.
Is RGE certification mandatory for heat pump installers?▼
Yes. MaPrimeRenov, CEE and the 5.5% VAT all require an RGE-certified installer. Verify the qualification on france-renov.gouv.fr. A mandatory technical visit must precede the quote.
How long does heat pump installation take?▼
Air-to-air takes 1-3 days. Air-to-water 3-7 days. Geothermal 2-4 weeks with boreholes. Allow several weeks before for MaPrimeRenov pre-approval.
What maintenance does a heat pump require?▼
Decree 2020-912 requires maintenance every two years for heat pumps holding more than 2 kg of refrigerant. A qualified technician checks for leaks, cleans filters, issues a certificate to keep for two years. Budget €150-300 per year.
What is SCOP and why does it matter?▼
SCOP measures real-world efficiency across the heating season. A SCOP above 4 means 1 kWh of electricity yields 4 kWh of heat. MaPrimeRenov usually requires SCOP at least 3.4.
Can I combine heat pump subsidies with other renovation grants?▼
Yes, MaPrimeRenov, CEE, reduced VAT and the eco-loan stack. Modest-income households (Blue tier) can cover up to 90% of total cost. Apply before signing the contract.
What is the lifespan of a heat pump in France?▼
Air-to-water heat pumps last 15-20 years with regular maintenance. Geothermal collectors last 20-25 years. The compressor is typically guaranteed 5-10 years.
Does a heat pump increase French property value?▼
Heat pumps lift the DPE (Energy Performance Certificate) rating, which is mandatory on every French property advert. Moving from E to C lifts perceived value and helps avoid the ban on renting F and G homes.
Official Sources
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Disclaimer: Prices and aid amounts cited are indicative for 2026 and based on ANAH, ADEME and Service-Public.fr published rates. Always request three RGE quotes and consult a free France Rénov advisor before committing.