To achieve its ambitious goals of halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, France accelerates its energy transition. The Prime Minister thus suggested at the beginning of June that it could be prohibited to install new gas boilers from 2026 – triggering an outcry among professionals in the sector. “The State wants to restrict the use of fossil fuels in housing to reduce CO2 emissionsconfirms Marilyne Vialles, information officer for individuals for the Ecological Transition Agency (ADEME). MaPrimeRénov’ is no longer attributed to gas boilers with very high energy performance since January 1It is therefore better to favor other sources of energy today. Solar, aerothermal, geothermal, wood: zoom on the four main ones.
The solar panels
How it works ? “Silicon cells capture the sun’s energy and transform it into electricity, which can be sold on the grid or consumed on your own, describes Emilien Lassara, from the Hespul association, a solar photovoltaic specialist. Barring exceptions, a secondary residence for example, it is more profitable to consume it than to sell it.”
How much does it cost ? It all depends on the size of the installation, and therefore your roof, and your investment capacity. The rates vary from €7,500-9,000 (for 8 panels and 3 kWp*) to €18,000-20,000 (for 24 panels and 9 kWp*).
How much do I earn? First of all, “you consume part of the electricity produced, which powers your equipment”, explains Maxime de la Raudière, deputy general manager of Selectra, an energy offer comparator. The result, according to Hespul, is savings of around 30%. But don’t expect to cover all of your needs. Furthermore, you earn money by selling the surplus – but again, nothing to brag about.
“With a 20-year buy-back commitment at a fixed rate (indexed on inflation) of €13.13 per Kwh, you have more interest in self-consumption“, recommends Emilien Lassara.
What helps ? “A premium is conditional on the power of the panels. It is €1,500 for a 3 kWp* installation. But she is not paid only one year after the date of entry into service“warns Gautier Villard, director of the energy renovation & Solar activity at Hello Watt, specializing in the energy transition of housing.
Depreciation period : 12 to 15 years, depending on the regions and the exposure of the panels.
To know. You must deposit a prior declaration of work or request a building permit, as well as a certificate of conformity, make a connection request from ENEDIS, sign a purchase contract, etc. All these formalities are taken care of by your installerhence the importance of choosing it carefully.
Our trick. “You have to consume electricity at the right time, when it’s daylightadvises Maxime de la Raudière. Equip your water heater a programmer, run the machines and recharge your electric car during the day.”
* The peak watt or Wc measures the maximum power provided by a solar panel in ideal conditions (sunshine, temperature, inclination, etc.). A peak kilowatt (kWp) corresponds to 1,000 watts.
Air/air and air/water version heat pump
How it works ? A heat pump (PAC) recovers the calories contained in the outside air. “There are two types, distinguishes Gautier Villard. Air/air heat pumps, which directly blow hot air indoors in winter and cold air in summer. And air/water heat pumps, which produce hot waterdiffused in your water radiators or your heating floor-refreshing.”
How much does it cost ? Between €5 and 6,000 for an air/air heat pump, around €10 to €12,000 for an air/water heat pump.
How much do I earn? “You can reduce your heating bill and domestic hot water from 60 to 70%“, according to David Bonnet, honorary president of the French association for heat pumps (AFPAC).
What helps ? They are reserved for air/water heat pumps only. They represent up to 70% of the cost of the installation for the most modest households, with MaPrimeRénov’ (€4,000) and energy saving certificates, CEE (€4,700 max). For the wealthiest, they amount to €2,900.
Depreciation period : between 6 and 10 years, depending on income and support.
To know. “In renovation, to replace an oil or gas boiler, if you already have an underfloor heating system or radiators, installing an air/water heat pump is possible.says Marilyne Vialles.
Ground/water heat pump
How it works ? “The calories are taken either in the ground or in the water of a water table or a well and transformed into heat via a heat pump called water/water or soil/water“, explains Marilyne Vialles. Then, the operation is the same as that of an air/water heat pump.
How much does it cost ? From €30 to €40,000, more expensive than an air/water heat pump. This difference is notably due to drilling or earthmoving work.
How much do I earn? From 60 to 70% on your heating and domestic hot water bill.
What helps ? Despite a cumulative total of €14,700 (MaPrimeRénov’ + CEE) for the most modest, the remaining cost still exceeds €15,000, even more for wealthier households.
Depreciation period : between 12 and 15 years old.
Wood heating
How it works ? The combustion of logs or pellets in inserts or stoves heats the home, or even, in boilers, produces hot water.
How much does it cost ? Between €4,000 and €7,000 for a pellet stove, from €1,000 to €6,000 (excluding flue pipes) for a wood stove. And, according to Selectra, between €3,000 for a log boiler and €20,000 for a pellet boiler.
How much does it pay? “Wood is the cheapest fuel on the market: 3 to 4 times less than electricity and 40% less than gas.observes Marilyne Vialles.
What helps ? The same for wood boilers as for heat pumps: up to €14,700 for the most modest (MaPrimeRénov’ + CEE). But €3,440 maximum for stoves.
Depreciation period : between 1 and 6 years, depending on the aid and the energy replaced by wood, fuel oil, electricity or gas.
The 12 tips for a successful construction site
1. Before any project, have a complete energy diagnosis or thermal study carried out to find out if you need to start with insulate or invest in a new method of heatingand to properly size your future installation.
2. Call on professionals recognized guarantor of the environment (list on france-renov.gouv.fr), justifying labels and certifications in their field: QualiBat, Qualisol, QualiPV, QualiPAC, Qualifelec, etc.
3. Put in competition three professionals.
4. Get support and advice from independent actors. In particular, consider doing submit your quotes by France Renov’ (france-renov.gouv.fr or 0 808 800 700) and/or specialized associations.
5. Do not equip yourself at shows or fairs. You have no withdrawal period.
6. Check that you are eligible for aid and wait to receive written agreement from the organizations (Anah, energy supplier, department, region, etc.) before signing the quote.
7. Make sure it includes acceptance of the work, commissioning and handling of the equipment sold.
8. Prioritize the purchase of certified equipment (NFPAC or HP-Keymark for a heat pump). Conversely, stay away from cheap exotic devices. If it fails later, you will have a hard time getting it repaired.
9. Take a maintenance contract. It is not obligatory, but this will increase the life expectancy of your installation.
10. Check that your installation is assured. Otherwise, update your insurance contract.
11. Find out about the terms and duration of your equipment warranties.
12. Ask your installer to provide you with its RGE and insurance certificates (ten-year guarantee and professional civil liability).
Thanks to David Bonnet, honorary president of the French association for heat pumps (AFPAC).
What are plug and play solar panels?
They are fashionable and “much cheaper than roof equipment“, notes Jérémy Simon, deputy general delegate of the Renewable Energies Union (SER). Between €600 and €800, you acquire panels with a power of 300 to 400 watts, to be installed on the ground or on a wall – below 1m80, no authorization is required. You plug everything into an outdoor outlet and enjoy free electricity for your household appliances. Free? At a rate of 80 to 140 € per year depending on the region, it takes 6 to 10 years to cover the initial investment. And unused electricity cannot be resold. ” To be reserved for cases where a larger installation on the roof is not possible“, recommends Emilien Lassara.
Read also :
⋙ Pellets: is it time to refuel?
⋙ Heat pump: how does it work and what aid are you entitled to?
⋙ Heating: 3 smart and inexpensive tools to reduce the bill