Since 1 September 2026, a masonry heater no longer qualifies for MaPrimeRénov’ (the French public renovation grant) as a single measure: decree no. 2026-822 of 25 August 2026 removed the ‘wood or biomass heating’ flat rates from the single-measure route. What remains: VAT at 5.5% (the reduced French rate), the zero-rate eco-loan, and the supported route as part of a major renovation.
Checked on 31/08/2026
This page is dated, and it will stay that way. Support schemes change several times a year — three times between September 2025 and August 2026 for wood heating alone. We write here only what appears in a text published in the Journal officiel or on a French government website, with the link to check it. If you are reading this page long after its verification date, call us or consult a France Rénov’ adviser: it is free, and it is their job.
What changed on 1 September 2026
Decree no. 2026-822 of 25 August 2026, which amends decree no. 2020-26 on the energy transition grant, removes from the MaPrimeRénov’ ‘single-measure’ route the flat rates for installing heating or domestic hot water equipment running on wood or other biomass — along with ventilation, insulation, heat-pump water heaters and solar thermal in mainland France.
The text states that these provisions ‘come into force on 1 September 2026 and apply to grant applications submitted from that same date’. In other words: an application submitted before 1 September 2026 is still processed under the previous rules. The decree opens no other transitional arrangement.
For dwellings rated F and G, access to the single-measure route is extended until 31 December 2027 in mainland France — but only for the measures that remain, which no longer include wood heating.
The four levers that remain
1. VAT at 5.5%
Today this is the simplest and broadest lever. Article 278-0 bis A of the Code général des impôts (French tax code) applies a reduced rate of 5.5% to energy renovation work in dwellings completed more than two years ago. The list of equipment is set out in article 30-0 D ter of annex IV to the same code, introduced by the order of 4 December 2024 and last amended by the order of 14 August 2026: its paragraph 4° covers ‘independent heating or hot water equipment running on wood or other biomass’ — stoves, closed hearths, inserts and cookers used for heating.
For a log-burning appliance, the required levels are a seasonal energy efficiency of at least 65%, emissions of no more than 1,500 mg/Nm³ of carbon monoxide, 40 mg/Nm³ of particulates, 120 mg/Nm³ of gaseous organic compounds and 200 mg/Nm³ of nitrogen oxides. For factory-made stoves, these values are measured to standards NF EN 13240, 14785, 15250 or 16510 ‘or any other equivalent method’; for a masonry heater built on site, to NF EN 15544 (see below).
The rate applies to the supply and the installation when the company supplies the appliance. It does not apply to materials you buy yourself on your own account.
2. The zero-rate eco-loan
The éco-PTZ finances energy renovation work with no means test and no interest. Installing heating equipment that uses a renewable energy source is included. The ceilings announced by the authorities are €15,000 for a single measure, €25,000 for two, €30,000 for three or more, and up to €50,000 for overall energy-performance work or work qualifying for MaPrimeRénov’.
As with the other schemes, using an RGE company (the French ‘reconnu garant de l’environnement’ label) is compulsory. That is our case: RGE Qualibois module Air, no. QB/48106.
3. MaPrimeRénov’ supported route (major renovation)
The single-measure route is closing to wood, but the supported route remains open. It finances a package of works, not a single measure: it requires at least two insulation measures and a gain of at least two energy classes, with the compulsory involvement of an approved Accompagnateur Rénov’. Depending on income, the grant can reach 90% of a works amount capped at €70,000.
Two useful points. First, this route works in favour of wood: since 1 September 2026, the major renovation grant can no longer be awarded if gas heating is kept after the works. Second, whether your appliance is actually included in the package depends on your project: the Accompagnateur Rénov’ or a France Rénov’ adviser confirms it, and we do not take their place.
4. The ‘Coup de pouce chauffage’ (CEE, energy saving certificates)
This scheme still exists for wood, but in a narrow case: it covers the replacement of an independent coal-fired heating appliance with an independent wood-fired heating appliance. The appliance must carry the ‘Flamme verte 7 étoiles’ label or have equivalent performance — for logs, an efficiency of at least 75% and CO emissions of 0.12% or less. Since 1 January 2026, the volume of certificates is multiplied by 5 for low-income households and by 4 for others.
It does not apply to replacing gas or oil heating. In practice, it concerns few of our projects — we would rather say so than let you hope.
The special case of the artisan-built masonry heater
A masonry heater built on site is not a mass-produced appliance: it comes off no production line and therefore carries no performance label issued by a manufacturer. For years, that kept it out of public support schemes. That is no longer the case.
The minister’s reply to written question no. 23470 in the Assemblée nationale establishes it: the order of 13 February 2020 recognised standard NF EN 15544 — ‘Poêles en faïence, poêles en maçonnerie fabriqués in situ : dimensionnement’ (tiled stoves and site-built masonry heaters: sizing) — among the standards allowing the measurement of efficiency and carbon monoxide emissions to be certified. Artisan-built masonry heaters have since had ‘standard access’ to the schemes.
That access is conditional, and the conditions are precise:
- a design calculation must size the firebox, the heat store and the flue;
- it must be produced with sizing software whose references are published by the ministry responsible for energy — the ministerial reply cites Basic 2Plus, developed by the Austrian research institute VFH;
- the company must hold a quality mark: Qualibois module Air from Qualit’EnR, or qualifications no. 5221, 5222 and 5223 from QualiBat.
Every study includes its design calculation, produced with sizing software compliant with NF EN 15544. As the official list of software is no longer available online, we tell you which one was used for your project. Our RGE Qualibois module Air qualification is number QB/48106, which you can check yourself in the Qualit’EnR directory using our SIRET (French company registration number), 528 048 069 00025.
For VAT at 5.5%, the text also names our case. Article 30-0 D ter of annex IV to the Code général des impôts provides that ‘for artisan-built masonry appliances of one-off design, emission and efficiency values are expressed according to the reference framework of standard NF EN 15544 or any other equivalent method’. The appliance (firebox, heat store and flue) is sized by a detailed design calculation, produced with software whose references are published by the ministry responsible for energy. The thresholds remain those given above: it is your project’s design calculation that establishes them. So we check these conditions project by project, with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a masonry heater still eligible for MaPrimeRénov’ in 2026?
No longer as a single measure: since 1 September 2026, the ‘wood or biomass heating’ flat rates have been removed from the single-measure route by decree no. 2026-822 of 25 August 2026. It can still be funded as part of a major renovation (supported route), which requires a package of works and a gain of at least two energy classes.
Can I get VAT at 5.5% on a masonry heater?
Yes, subject to conditions: a dwelling completed more than two years ago, and a heater supplied and installed by us. For a heater built on site, performance is established to standard NF EN 15544, through your project’s design calculation, and must meet the thresholds in the text (Code général des impôts, annex IV, article 30-0 D ter). Since 16 February 2025, the separate certificate is no longer required: you certify on the quote or the invoice that the conditions are met (law no. 2025-127 of 14 February 2025, article 41).
Do I need an RGE company?
Yes, for MaPrimeRénov’ as for the zero-rate eco-loan. The quality mark expected for a masonry heater is Qualibois module Air (Qualit’EnR) or QualiBat qualifications no. 5221, 5222 and 5223. Thermasse is RGE Qualibois module Air, no. QB/48106.
I submitted my application before 1 September 2026 — what happens?
The decree states that its provisions apply ‘to grant applications submitted from’ 1 September 2026. An application submitted before that date therefore comes under the earlier rules.
Who can tell me precisely what I am entitled to?
A France Rénov’ adviser: the service is public, free and independent. We will tell you what we know of our trade and our qualifications; processing your application is not ours to do.