Changes to MaPrimeRénov' are coming
The government has committed to simplifying the process for accessing the MaPrimeRénov' energy-efficiency renovation assistance program, according to an announcement made on Thursday, February 15, by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
Ministers Christophe Béchu and Guillaume Kasbarian met with the presidents of the two main trade organizations in the construction industry: Olivier Salleron, president of the French Construction Federation (FFB), and Jean-Christophe Repon, head of the Confederation of Craftsmen and Small Construction Businesses (Capeb), who expressed their concerns about the growing administrative complexities associated with energy-efficient renovations.
They agreed on three areas for change: limiting the requirement to use a certified consultant to the largest grants; simplifying the process for obtaining the "Recognized Environmental Guarantor" (RGE) label, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises; and easing funding restrictions on simple and effective renovation projects.
"The primary goal is to streamline the processing of applications and enable a larger number of 'Accompagnateurs Rénov' to meet the demand," Olivier Salleron explained to AFP.
The second objective is to enable a greater number of businesses to participate in renovation projects. The third objective is to ensure that the renovation process provides incentives for major renovations while continuing to encourage simple and effective measures, according to the minister's office.
This includes, in particular, changes in heating methods, such as replacing oil- or gas-fired boilers with wood pellet stoves or heat pumps, which are more efficient and produce fewer emissions.
Olivier Salleron expressed hope that these measures could also prevent the need to replace recently installed boilers. They will also allow owners of homes rated “G” on the energy label—which can no longer be rented out as of January 1, 2025—to begin improving the energy efficiency of their properties, the ministry added.
In 2024, the government decided to refocus the MaPrimeRénov' program on major renovations—which are more expensive but more effective—at the expense of partial renovations. Details of these announcements will be provided “in early March,” according to the ministry.
