The main grants system, 'MaPrimeRénov', is claimed by the government to be 'universal' but following recent changes higher income households are no longer entitled to most grants.
A couple living outside the Ile-de-France with an income greater than €43,000 are largely excluded, and grant levels for a couple on an income between €31,000 and €43,000 are modest.
Part of the explanation for this development has been to focus resources on lower income households, but the government are also trying to persuade all applicants to adopt a more comprehensive approach to improving energy efficiency, rather than single, isolated measures, which yield little benefit.
As a result, for those in the upper income brackets grant support is only available if they are prepared to undertake extensive upgrading of the energy efficiency of their home, through a single (forfait rénovation globale) grant. The problem with it is that the level of the grant is low, either €5,000 or €10,000, depending on income, albeit an increase on last year.
In recent years, the government have been quietly removing certain types of work from the scheme or reducing grants for them to a minimal level.
The grant for the installation of a pellet stove has been reduced this year, whilst grants for floor insulation and the installation of a gas-fired boiler have been removed entirely. The amounts available for double-glazing and wall insulation are significantly below actual costs. A supplementary grant of €1,000 that was available for replacement of an oil or gas fired boiler by an eco-friendly source under the main grant regime ends on 1st April.
Those proposing to undertake a package of works are now obliged to appoint a project manager ('Mon Accompagnateur Renov' (MAR) for which a small grant is available, which can be increased if it is a major renovation project. One of the aims in creating this service is to orientate households to adopt a broad-based approach to their project and to assist them through the jungle of the different grant schemes. However, the service is still in its infancy, so there is a shortage of qualified experts available.
As we have previously reported, the grant application process is very complicated and many households have been unable to comply with it. That remains the case for contractors, many of whom who are unwilling to participate in the scheme due to the administrative requirements.
The complexities are compounded by parallel grant systems in place, either those through the system of general improvement grants called Ma Prime Rénov’ Sérénité as well as supplementary grants available from the energy suppliers (principally EDF), through a scheme called Certificats d’économies d’énergie (CEE).
These CEE grants can be used in conjunction with Ma Prime Rénov’, notably for replacement of a gas or oil-fired boiler with an eco-friendly source, so are definitely worth investigating. Nevertheless, many of the alternative heating sources are not always easy to install or compatible with older homes, and rarely make economic sense in otherwise poorly insulated properties.
The only sensible way of ensuring you comply with the application requirements, adopt a suitable plan, and optimise your entitlement to the various grants, is to approach a local official advisor, at France Renov. Most of these advisors are based in the local department council. As with MAR the service is still trying to find its feet, so there is a shortage of suitably trained staff.
You can find more information in our Guide to Home Energy Efficiency in France.
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