Can I use bottled gas in my French property?
Sarah Bright-Thomas of Bright Avocats answers a reader query
Whether or not your property is new build can dictate the use of bottled gas
David Page/Alamy
Reader Question: I have just bought a property in rural France and was asked how I intended to heat it. I would like bottled gas, like in our UK home, but have been told that this is now illegal. Is this correct?
No, it is not correct. There is a ban on fitting gas boilers in new homes but, as your property is not new, this does not apply.
However your new gas boiler will have to be efficient and not emit more than 300g of CO2 per kWh.
You might consider alternatives to bottled (also known as tank) gas though, if you intend to use the house in the cold months – because in France it is the most expensive form of heating.
The usual guide is that it is four times the price of electric heating.
Most suppliers offer deals where the tank is rented and you pay for both it and the gas through regular monthly payments.
You will also need enough space in the garden for the tank, whether it is an above-ground or buried model.
If you just want to use gas for cooking and hot water, you may find a system where two propane gas bottles, either 13kg or 35kg, are linked together give enough gas for a stove and hot water boiler.
This two-bottle system means you do not have to take gas bottles to the petrol station every couple of weeks.
Read more: Gas bills rise in France: compare energy providers
The French government is a huge fan of heat pumps and, unlike with gas, you may be eligible for grants should you ever move permanently to your new French home.
New oil-fired or coal systems are banned for both new and old houses.
A popular alternative are wood pellet boilers which can help reduce CO2 emissions. They are also usually compatible with a property's existing radiators which a heat pump may not be.
