2026 electrification plan: social leasing for heat pumps and the end of gas boilers in new builds

On 7 July 2026, the French government unveiled an electrification plan designed to cut the share of fossil fuels in national energy consumption by 20 percentage points within five years. Two measures stand out: the creation of a social leasing scheme for heat pumps aimed at lower-income households, and a ban on gas boilers in new buildings from 1 January 2027. Here is what we know and, above all, what it changes in practice for a heating or air conditioning project.

Social leasing for heat pumps: what is it?

The principle is straightforward: instead of paying for a heat pump outright, a lower-income household could spread the remaining cost — that is, the price of the equipment once subsidies have been deducted — over a three-year period. The government's stated goal is for these households to pay back their heat pump in under three years through the savings made on their heating bills.

The headline figures give a sense of the ambition:

• 25,000 lower-income households equipped by 2028, with the aim of halving their heating bills.
• A broader trajectory targeting one million heat pumps installed per year by 2030.
• The designation, on 15 September 2026, of the private operators tasked with rolling out the scheme. Several energy and renovation players have already put themselves forward.

End of gas boilers in new builds on 1 January 2027

The second strand is even more structural: a ban on gas boilers in new buildings from 1 January 2027. The measure does not apply to existing homes — if you have a gas boiler today, you are under no obligation to replace it — but it sends a clear signal to the construction sector and to property developers.

In a new home, heating will therefore have to rely on electric or renewable solutions: air-to-water heat pumps, reversible air-to-air heat pumps, district heating, solar thermal. This is a fundamental shift, in line with the requirements of environmental building regulations.

Air-to-water or air-to-air: which heat pump is concerned?

This is the point most often misunderstood, and it deserves clarification. The term "heat pump" covers two quite distinct families:

	Air-to-water heat pump	Air-to-air heat pump (reversible AC)
Function	Central heating + domestic hot water	Heating + cooling
Distribution	Radiators, underfloor heating	Wall-mounted units (splits)
Replaces	A boiler (gas, oil)	Electric convectors, or supplements existing heating
Cools in summer	No (except specific models)	Yes

Social leasing and the "Coup de pouce" bonus primarily target state-approved air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps that replace a fossil-fuel boiler — we cover this in our article on approved heat pumps and the "Coup de pouce" bonus.

Reversible air conditioning, by contrast, is an air-to-air heat pump. It falls under other schemes: the CEE bonus, reduced VAT, and the future 5.5% VAT rate planned under the "Endurance" plan, which we analysed in our article on 5.5% VAT on reversible air conditioning. To understand how it works, our guide to the reversible air-to-air heat pump covers the essentials.

What the plan changes (and doesn't change) for your project

If you heat with gas or oil in an existing home: nothing obliges you to switch. But the direction of travel for subsidies clearly favours the air-to-water heat pump, and social leasing could remove the upfront-cost barrier if your income is modest. The sensible move: wait for the operators to be designated in September before committing.

If your priority is summer comfort: the electrification plan does not change your situation. Reversible air conditioning is still supported by CEE bonuses and reduced VAT. Our guide to choosing the right air conditioner in 2026 remains the best starting point — and think first about passive solutions: shutters, blinds and well-maintained ventilation already cut overheating significantly.

If you are building: plan ahead now. From 2027, a gas boiler is no longer an option in a new build. The heating system must be chosen very early in the project, because it determines the emitters (underfloor heating or splits) and where the outdoor unit goes.

In every case: high-performing equipment is serviced equipment. Whichever technology you choose, servicing these systems is governed by law, and a poorly maintained heat pump quickly loses the efficiency that justified the investment. It also protects the value of your property, as we explain in our article on EPC ratings and property value.

Frequently asked questions

Does social leasing apply to reversible air conditioning? At this stage, the scheme is geared towards approved air-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps replacing fossil-fuel heating. Reversible (air-to-air) air conditioning falls under the CEE bonus and reduced VAT. Final terms will be clarified after 15 September 2026.

Will I have to replace my gas boiler in 2027? No. The announced ban applies to new buildings from 1 January 2027. Existing boilers can continue to operate and be serviced.

When will social leasing be available? The private operators tasked with rolling it out are due to be designated on 15 September 2026. Actual deployment will follow, targeting 25,000 households equipped by 2028.

Should I wait for the lease before starting my project? If you are a lower-income household with fossil-fuel heating, waiting until September may make sense. If your need is summer comfort, there is no reason to wait: the subsidies applying to reversible air conditioning are unaffected by this plan.

Can I combine social leasing with the CEE bonus? The lease covers the remaining cost after subsidies: bonuses (CEE, "Coup de pouce") are therefore deducted first. The precise combination rules will be published alongside the scheme.

Let's review your project

Between the electrification plan, the end of single-measure funding and changes to VAT, it is getting hard to know which scheme applies to your situation. That is exactly our job. Discover our air conditioning installation services, our advice and support offer, or contact Proclimo for a tailored assessment and a clear quote.