Last updated on November 4, 2025
No. Since July 2022, France has banned the installation of new heating systems powered by oil or coal in both new and existing buildings. Under the RE2020 environmental regulation, new constructions must meet strict carbon emission thresholds, which effectively exclude traditional fossil fuel boilers. Gas boilers are still allowed in limited cases but are being phased out for new builds, with rare technical exemptions.
A Turning Point for French Homes
France has taken a bold step in its energy transition: fossil fuel heating systems are no longer welcome in new buildings. This decision is part of a broader strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The building sector, responsible for nearly 44% of national energy consumption and over 120 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, is a major focus of this transformation.
The ban is not symbolic—it is a legal requirement embedded in the Réglementation Environnementale 2020 (RE2020), which replaced the previous RT2012 thermal regulation. RE2020 introduces carbon performance standards for all new constructions, covering not only energy use but also life-cycle emissions of materials. Heating systems that exceed the greenhouse gas threshold—such as oil and coal boilers—are now prohibited.
What Does the Law Say?
The Décret n° 2022-8 du 5 janvier 2022 sets a maximum emissions limit of 300 gCO₂eq/kWh PCI for heating and domestic hot water systems. This threshold effectively bans oil-fired boilers and most coal-based systems. Gas boilers remain permissible only under strict conditions, such as technical impossibility of alternatives or absence of network connections. For new single-family homes, exclusive gas heating is no longer allowed.
The RE2020 framework applies to all new residential and commercial buildings. It also influences renovations: replacing a failed fossil fuel boiler with another of the same type is prohibited unless a technical exemption is granted—a rare occurrence.
Why This Shift?
The rationale is clear: fossil fuels are incompatible with France’s climate commitments. Heating accounts for nearly 60% of household energy consumption, and oil and gas remain major contributors to emissions. By banning high-carbon systems, France aims to accelerate the adoption of renewable and electric heating solutions, reduce dependency on imported fuels, and improve air quality.
This policy aligns with the National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC) and the European Green Deal objectives. It also responds to economic realities: fossil fuel prices are volatile, while renewable technologies are becoming more cost-competitive.
What Are the Alternatives?
Homeowners and developers now turn to heat pumps—air-to-water or geothermal—as the preferred solution. Biomass boilers and solar thermal systems also qualify under RE2020 standards. Financial incentives sweeten the deal: programs like MaPrimeRénov’ offer grants up to EUR 10,000 for replacing fossil fuel systems, while energy-saving certificates provide additional support.
Cultural and Practical Impact
For decades, oil and gas boilers were staples of French homes, prized for reliability and comfort. Their phase-out marks a cultural shift as much as a technical one. While some households express concern over costs and feasibility, government subsidies and evolving technology aim to ease the transition. The new rules also push architects and builders to integrate energy performance into design from the outset, reshaping the construction industry.
Looking Ahead
The ban on oil boilers is already in force, and gas boilers for new builds are on borrowed time. By 2025, stricter carbon caps will make compliance even harder for fossil-based systems. France’s trajectory is clear: the future of heating is electric, renewable, and low-carbon.
See more on FRANCE
Sources
Réglementation environnementale RE2020 – Ministère de la Transition écologique
https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/politiques-publiques/reglementation-environnementale-re2020
Ongoing
Décret n° 2022-8 du 5 janvier 2022 relatif au résultat minimal de performance environnementale concernant l’installation d’un équipement de chauffage – Légifrance
https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000044844392
January 6, 2022