"MaPrimeRenov": The government backtracks on renovation projects
Applications for renovation grants have literally plummeted, forcing the government to backtrack on its plans to tighten the MaPrimeRénov' program.
Despite warnings from industry professionals late last year, the government was caught off guard. Since the reform of MaPrimeRénov', the government subsidy for energy-efficiency home renovations, took effect in early January, applications for the subsidy have literally plummeted: according to information obtained by “Les Echos” from the Ministry of Housing, they fell by 40% in January and February compared to the same period last year.
So, barely two and a half months after the reform of energy-efficiency renovation subsidies for housing took effect, the government wants to course-correct to revive a market that has literally collapsed since the beginning of the year.
Late last week, during a meeting with the French Building Federation (FFB) and Capeb (which represents tradespeople), Christophe Béchu, Minister of Ecological Transition, and Guillaume Kasbarian, Minister of Housing, announced significant relaxations to the overhaul of the MaPrimeRénov' program.
The first step is to make “single-step projects” eligible once again. To boost so-called “major” renovations—which are the most effective for energy savings—the government had significantly increased subsidies for these comprehensive renovations, but had also virtually eliminated incentives for simple improvements in single-family homes. The only project that remained eligible was replacing the heating system, provided that a carbon-free heating system (air-to-water heat pump, wood pellet stove, etc.) was chosen and the home was not classified as an “energy-inefficient building” (a home rated F or G).
All of these restrictions have been lifted until the end of the year, once again paving the way for other simple projects (such as insulating walls or attics), which account for between 80 and 90 percent of the market. “A comprehensive renovation is better than a single-step project, but a single-step project is better than no renovation at all,” said Christophe Béchu during the meeting.
Furthermore, since homeowners are no longer required to prove that their homes are not energy-inefficient, the requirement to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) prior to renovations has also been lifted—removing yet another obstacle to the market.
Recognition of experience-based learning
The need to have work performed by RGE-certified (“Reconnu garant de l'environnement”) companies—of which there are too few—was also identified as an obstacle to a widespread adoption of renovations.
The government has therefore simplified the process for obtaining the certification, but above all, it has agreed to the request from industry professionals to establish a system for “recognition of prior learning” for small businesses (with 0 to 10 employees). “They will be able to start projects immediately, then undergo an inspection very quickly and receive the certification if the quality meets standards,” explains a ministerial advisor.
Finally, the reform required that, for large-scale renovations, homeowners be assisted by independent intermediaries certified as “Mon Accompagnateur Rénov’.” But the accreditation process—which is also slow and complex—slowed down construction projects at the beginning of the year.
Without eliminating these “Accompagnateurs Rénov’” (which was once considered), who will remain mandatory for major renovations, the government has therefore decided to simplify the procedure. “There are already 400 accredited organizations—representing several thousand advisors—and 650 in the process of being accredited: the idea is to speed up the process so that these organizations are operational in the coming weeks or months,” the advisor said.
