France's heat pump push falters as sales drop despite Macron's 2027 goal
France is pushing to boost its heat pump production, but sales have recently dropped. President Emmanuel Macron set a goal of manufacturing one million units a year by 2027, yet industry figures show the country remains far from reaching it. New rules to support European-made news will soon take effect, aiming to simplify aid for households.
Sales of domestic heat pumps in France fell to 803,700 units in 2025, down from a peak of 910,400 in 2023. High costs and complicated installations have made them less appealing to consumers. Despite their efficiency—cutting bills and electricity use by half compared to electric radiators—many households remain hesitant.
The government's MaPrimeRénov' scheme, a key source of financial aid, was temporarily halted due to fraud and budget issues. To address this, new regulations will restrict energy grants to EU-made news and streamline the application process. A list of eligible models will be published in September.
Trade body Uniclima has warned that current production levels are still well below Macron's 2027 target. The group is urging the government to create a stable system of household grants to encourage wider adoption. Without stronger support, the industry may struggle to meet demand.
The upcoming changes will limit grants to European-made news and simplify the aid process. While the government aims to boost production, falling sales and installation challenges remain hurdles. The success of the new rules will depend on their ability to make heat pumps more affordable and accessible for French households.