The renovation of housing in 2024 is characterized by a massive shift towards comprehensive projects. French households are moving away from isolated actions (boiler replacement, installation of a skylight) in favor of bundles of structural work that combine insulation, heating, and ventilation into a single operation. This change in approach, driven by the evolution of public aid and the tightening of energy performance requirements, is reshaping the way domestic projects are conceived.
Large-scale renovation in 2024: the figures that confirm the shift
The transition from isolated actions to comprehensive renovation is no longer just an institutional recommendation. In 2024, 91,900 homes have engaged in significant energy renovations with the help of Anah, representing a 28% increase in one year. The total amount of subsidies granted reaches 2.4 billion euros.
This acceleration reflects a profound change in behavior. Homeowners who renovate no longer settle for insulating an attic or replacing a radiator. They undertake projects that combine several aspects, significantly improving the energy performance rating (DPE) in a single renovation campaign.
Several players in the housing sector regularly relay these developments, and resources like maisonluminea fr and foyerlumina fr on Technique Habitat allow for tracking news in the renovation and home equipment sectors.
Insulation and heating: the areas of work that concentrate budgets
In a comprehensive renovation project, two areas absorb the largest share of the budget: the insulation of the envelope and the replacement of the heating system.
Thermal insulation of walls
External insulation (ITE) is gaining ground over internal insulation, especially in individual homes. It eliminates more thermal bridges and does not reduce the living space. Bio-based materials (wood fiber, cellulose wadding, hemp wool) are increasingly featured in quotes compared to traditional mineral wools, driven by a growing demand for low carbon footprint materials.
Insulating ground floors and uninhabited attics remains the action with the best cost-effectiveness ratio. In a poorly insulated house, addressing these two areas can significantly reduce heating bills even before touching the walls.
Heat pumps and decarbonization of heating
The “decarbonization” pillar of MaPrimeRénov’ focuses aid on replacing oil and gas boilers with air/water or geothermal heat pumps. Pairing with thermal or photovoltaic solar panels is becoming common in comprehensive renovation quotes.
A technical point often overlooked: installing a heat pump in a poorly insulated home degrades its performance coefficient. The order of operations matters. Insulate first, then size the heating system according to the actual needs of the renovated building, avoiding oversizing and overconsumption.
Strengthened RGE obligation for renovation companies starting in 2027
The renovation trends of 2024 do not only concern homeowners. A decree from August 12, 2026, stipulates that starting January 1, 2027, companies must hold a dual RGE qualification to work on subsidized projects combining multiple technical lots (such as insulation and heating).
This measure aims to limit defects in large-scale renovations, where a craftsman may sometimes work on areas they are not well-versed in. For individuals, this means checking from the quote phase that each company has the qualifications corresponding to the work they perform.
- Check for the RGE mention on the qualification organization’s website (Qualibat, Qualifelec, Qualit’EnR) before signing a quote.
- Prefer companies that already hold multiple qualifications, indicating an anticipated increase in skills.
- Always request a ten-year insurance certificate covering the areas involved in the project.
Summer comfort and ventilation: the blind spots of a housing renovation project
Most renovation guides focus on winter performance. However, summer comfort is becoming an increasingly scrutinized criterion in energy audits, and the DPE now includes an assessment of overheating risk.
Several technical levers can address this issue without excessively burdening the budget:
- Install external solar protections (adjustable sunshades, rolling shutters with adjustable slats) on south and west facades.
- Opt for a double-flow mechanical ventilation system with bypass, which cools incoming air at night without resorting to air conditioning.
- Choose high-inertia insulators (dense wood fiber) rather than lightweight insulators that allow summer heat to pass through.
A renovated home without consideration for summer comfort risks needing air conditioning in the short term, which negates some of the energy savings achieved in winter.
Financing and support: what is changing concretely for households
The supported pathway of MaPrimeRénov’ now requires the use of a certified advisor (Mon Accompagnateur Rénov’) for comprehensive renovation projects. This contact conducts an audit, proposes a prioritized work plan, and helps compile the financing file.
This system reduces the risk of poorly sequenced or oversized work. Mandatory support secures the quality of renovations and facilitates access to the highest aid, reserved for gains of at least two DPE classes.
The zero-interest eco-loan (éco-PTZ) remains available as a complement, including to finance the remaining costs after subsidies. Combining the supported MaPrimeRénov’ pathway, CEE, and eco-PTZ can cover a significant part of the total cost, especially for low-income households.
The housing renovation market in France is entering a phase where the quality of work and the technical coherence of the project are as important as the amount of aid. Checking qualifications, respecting the logical order of interventions, and anticipating summer comfort from the design phase of the project remain the three decisions that differentiate a successful renovation from a mere stacking of subsidized actions.