New-builds in France from mid-2021 must not have gas heating

Planning permission will usually only be given for houses using biomass, heat pumps or solar heating. Some electric radiators will be allowed but the government is trying to discourage their use.

Because of delays in French businesses producing alternative heating systems, an escape clause has been put into the new rules, called RE2020, allowing well-insulated new houses to still use gas.

In 2020, 21% of new houses and 75% of new blocks of flats had gas as their main heating source. The rules apply to new offices and schools, but for new flats they will come into force in 2024.

Another part of RE2020 imposes insulation standards for heatwaves. New homes must have sufficient insulation to ensure inside temperatures do not rise over 30C during the day or 28C at night for more than 25 days in the year.

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