If you rely on a wood-burning stove, insert, or pellet boiler for heating, get ready for significant changes coming in 2025. While wood heating has long been valued for its affordability and sustainability, new regulations are being introduced to minimize its environmental impact.
These updates include cuts to financial aid, stricter energy efficiency standards, and the gradual phase-out of open fireplaces. Many homeowners will need to upgrade or modify their heating systems to stay compliant.
Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of the changes and avoid unexpected complications.
Reduced aid for the installation of wood heating
One of the first major changes involves a cut in subsidies for purchasing wood-burning stoves and boilers.
Starting in 2025:
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For middle-income households, the grant for a pellet stove will drop from €1,000 to €750.
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For low-income households, the aid will decrease from €1,800 to €1,250.
Why the reduction? The government aims to steer households toward cleaner and more efficient heating alternatives.
What should you do? If you’re considering installing a new system, it’s best to act quickly to benefit from the current subsidies before they expire.
New standards: restrictions on certain equipment
Big changes are coming for those who use wood heating: energy efficiency standards are about to get stricter.
Starting in 2025, all new wood-heating systems must have at least 75% energy efficiency.
Highly polluting open fireplaces will begin to be phased out in certain urban areas as of January 1, 2025. By June 30, 2025, this ban will extend to major cities.
Why these new rules? Older wood-burning systems release a large amount of fine particles, a major contributor to air pollution and public health concerns.
What should you do? Check if your current setup meets the new regulations and consider upgrading in advance to avoid unexpected costs or penalties.
Replacing polluting equipment: an ambitious government objective
The Ministry of Ecological Transition has set a clear goal: to phase out 600,000 outdated wood-burning heating systems by the end of 2025.
Why? Because modern pellet stoves and biomass boilers are far more energy-efficient and can cut fine particle emissions by up to 90%.
Although financial aid has been reduced, support programs are still in place to help households upgrade their heating systems.
What should you do? Reach out to your local council or a certified professional to check what assistance is still available and explore the best options for upgrading your system.
Wood Heating in 2025: Key Changes You Need to Know
- MaPrimeRénov’ aid cuts – Government financial aid for renovations will drop by 30% starting in 2025.
- Stricter efficiency standards – New regulations will require at least 75% energy efficiency for wood heating systems.
- Open fireplace restrictions – From January 2025, open fireplaces will be banned in certain areas to reduce pollution.
- Old appliance replacements – A nationwide effort will replace 600,000 outdated heating systems to improve air quality.
What Should You Do Now?
- Check if your system meets the new standards.
- Take advantage of grants before they decrease.
- Consider upgrading early to save money in the long run.