Heating accounts for the largest share of energy consumption in a home. Choosing suitable heating equipment depends on specific technical criteria: the level of building insulation, available energy source, and current regulatory framework. These three parameters determine both the thermal comfort achieved and the long-term operating costs.
Threshold of 79 gCO₂/kWh: what the regulations change for new heating
Since January 1, 2027, a decree prohibits the installation of gas boilers in new homes. The text sets a threshold of 79 gCO₂eq/kWh of final energy for heating, cooling, and hot water systems in new construction.
This threshold effectively rules out natural gas in favor of less polluting solutions: heat pumps, geothermal energy, biomass, solar thermal, or connection to a district heating network. The timeline is gradually tightening, with an extension to public buildings in 2028, and then to all new constructions in 2030.
For the existing stock, the situation is different. The installation or replacement of a gas boiler remains legal, but no financial aid supports this type of equipment anymore. MaPrimeRénov’ and energy savings certificates now guide households towards decarbonized systems. By comparing the equipment offered by Aireo Chauffage, it is evident that current ranges reflect this transition towards technologies compatible with regulatory requirements.
Building insulation and sizing: the often-overlooked prerequisite
An efficient heating system installed in a poorly insulated home wastes a considerable amount of the energy produced. Before choosing between a heat pump and a wood stove, the question to resolve concerns the thermal losses of the building.
The energy performance diagnosis (DPE) provides an initial indication. A home rated F or G requires insulation work (attics, walls, windows) before any consideration of the heat generator. Installing a heat pump in a thermal sieve amounts to oversizing the unit, which increases wear and costs.
Sizing is calculated based on the living area, ceiling height, climate zone, and level of insulation. An undersized unit runs continuously without reaching the set temperature. An oversized unit performs short cycles that reduce its lifespan.
- In light renovation (partial insulation, boiler replacement), a biomass boiler or an air-water heat pump covers most current needs.
- In heavy renovation (complete insulation of walls and changing joinery), heating needs drop to the point where a low-temperature system like hydraulic underfloor heating becomes viable.
- In new construction subject to the 79 g threshold, the heat pump (air-water or geothermal) becomes the standard solution, sometimes coupled with solar thermal for hot water production.
Heat pump, wood, geothermal: comparing energy sources on the right criteria
The majority of comparison articles classify systems by type (electric, gas, wood, heat pump). This approach masks a more discriminating criterion: the total cost over fifteen years, which includes the initial investment, annual consumption, and maintenance.
The air-water heat pump has a higher installation cost than an electric radiator, but its operational consumption is significantly lower due to its performance coefficient. For every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed, it delivers several kilowatt-hours of heat by drawing calories from the outside air.
Wood heating (log or pellet stove) remains competitive in rural areas where supply is local. The cost of fuel varies by region and availability of the resource. An automated pellet stove offers a level of user comfort close to that of a conventional boiler, with less frequent reloading than a log stove.
Geothermal energy uses heat from the ground via buried sensors. Its efficiency remains stable regardless of the outside temperature, unlike air-source heat pumps, whose efficiency decreases in extreme cold. The main drawback is the cost of drilling, making this solution particularly relevant for new constructions with sufficient land.
Financial aid for heating in 2026: MaPrimeRénov’ and approved heat pumps
Since September 1, 2026, new rules govern the aid for the installation of heat pumps. Only models listed on an official list of approved heat pumps qualify for MaPrimeRénov’. This list aims to ensure a minimum performance level and exclude equipment of insufficient quality.
MaPrimeRénov’ finances part of the investment based on household income and expected energy savings. Energy savings certificates complement the system. In contrast, gas and oil boilers are excluded from any aid mechanism, widening the profitability gap in favor of decarbonized systems.
Before signing a quote, verifying that the installer is RGE certified (Recognized Guarantor of the Environment) is a prerequisite for accessing these aids. A quote signed before the validation of the aid application may lead to a refusal of coverage.
The choice of heating equipment revolves around three unchanging axes: insulation dictates sizing, regulations guide available energies, and financial aids impact the economic equation. A well-insulated home, equipped with a properly sized system and eligible for current programs, remains the most reliable combination for managing both comfort and costs.
