Servicing, repairs and regulations: the essentials
Short summaries of my advice. The detailed articles are available in French.
Reversible air conditioning: VAT down to 5.5%
Since 18 July 2026 (Order of 13 July 2026, published in the Journal officiel on 17 July 2026), reversible air conditioning (air-to-air heat pumps) supplied and installed by a professional qualifies for 5.5% VAT instead of 10%, in homes over 2 years old. Conditions: efficiency class A++ (single-split) or A+ (multi-split) up to 12 kW, compliant refrigerant, remote control capability, and a signed customer declaration on the quote or invoice.
Why service your air conditioning?
Clean filters and coils mean healthier air, lower consumption and fewer breakdowns. In France, heat pumps from 4 to 70 kW, including reversible air conditioning, must be serviced at least every 2 years by a professional (Decree 2020-912), with a certificate. Clean the indoor filters yourself every 1–2 months during use; I recommend a professional service once a year.
Heat pump servicing: why and when?
A well-maintained heat pump keeps its efficiency and avoids breakdowns in the middle of winter. Servicing is mandatory at least every 2 years for units from 4 to 70 kW, at the occupant's initiative, and manufacturers usually require it for the warranty. I recommend an annual service before winter: outdoor unit, refrigerant circuit, water pressure, filter, settings.
Why service your water softener?
Water in the Lot is often hard. A neglected softener stops working or becomes unhygienic. An annual service includes resin disinfection, hardness setting, brine level check and filter replacement. It is not a legal obligation, but it is essential for water quality.
Hard water in the Lot: do you need a water softener?
Even moderately hard water scales up a water heater, a heat pump and taps. Only a measurement at the tap gives the real hardness: the published averages are often lower than what I measure at my customers' homes. Below 15 °f a softener is generally not useful; from 15 °f it protects your equipment; above 25 °f it is strongly recommended. It should leave some hardness (around 8 to 15 °f) and be checked regularly.
Radiators cold at the bottom? Power flushing
Radiators cold at the bottom, rooms that no longer heat up, noisy pipes: your heating circuit is full of sludge. Power flushing (cleaning product, radiator-by-radiator flushing, magnetic filter, inhibitor) restores even heat and protects your boiler or heat pump. Strongly recommended before connecting a heat pump.
Underfloor heating with cold areas
Older underfloor heating pipes often have no oxygen barrier, so sludge builds up and blocks loops. I flush each loop from the manifold, fit a magnetic filter, add an inhibitor and balance the system. Strongly recommended before connecting a heat pump to existing underfloor heating.
Room-by-room heating control becomes mandatory
Decree 2023-444, amended by Decree 2025-1343 of 26 December 2025, requires automatic room-by-room temperature control: new buildings from 1 January 2027, existing buildings by 1 January 2030 (exemptions if technically impossible or disproportionately expensive). Thermostatic radiator valves or programmable thermostats can comply. Lowering the temperature by 1°C saves around 7% on heating (ADEME).
Water heaters: simple maintenance that prevents breakdowns
Operate the safety valve every 3 to 4 weeks, but never if it has not been done for a long time: a scaled valve may no longer close. A few drops during heating are normal; a constant flow is not. Keep stored water around 55–60°C, and call a professional if the water turns lukewarm, crackles or changes colour.
Ventilation: why and how to maintain it
Mechanical ventilation must run permanently (French regulations since 1982). Clean extract vents and air inlets every 3–6 months, change MVHR filters every 3–6 months, and have the system checked by a professional (every year for heat recovery units).
A question about your installation?
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