Are there any financial aids (reduced VAT, MaPrimeRénov') for installing a towel dryer?

Overview of available aid in 2026: what exists

In 2026, the landscape of energy renovation aid in France is structured around five major categories of schemes. Here is an initial dashboard to understand their scope before delving into the details.

The five main schemes

• Reduced VAT rate (5.5% or 10%): automatic VAT reduction on works and supplies carried out by a professional in a dwelling more than 2 years old. Applicable to a wide range of improvement and energy renovation works.
• MaPrimeRénov': direct state aid managed by Anah (National Housing Agency), intended for the most impactful energy renovation works. Amounts vary depending on income and type of work.
• CEE (Energy Savings Certificates): bonuses paid by energy suppliers for works enabling certified energy savings. Very precise catalogue of eligible works.
• Eco-PTZ (eco-interest-free loan): interest-free loan to finance energy renovation works. Ceiling of €50,000 depending on the work.
• Local aid: subsidies paid by regions, departments, metropolises, and municipalities. Highly variable depending on territories and years.

The specific position of the electric towel warmer

The electric towel warmer is a sanitary comfort and auxiliary heating equipment. It is not classified as a main heating system or a major energy renovation equipment — which places it outside the most generous schemes (MaPrimeRénov' single-action work, CEE) but within the scope of reduced VAT, the most accessible and direct aid.

10% VAT on renovation works: your most accessible aid

This is the most concrete, simplest, and most certain aid for the installation of an electric towel warmer in 2026. It requires no paperwork, no prior steps, and applies automatically to the professional's invoice.

What is 10% VAT?

In France, the normal VAT rate is 20%. For improvement, fitting-out, and maintenance work carried out in dwellings more than 2 years old, a reduced rate of 10% applies. This 10-point VAT reduction represents a direct saving on the total amount of the invoice.

Why is the towel warmer eligible for 10% VAT?

According to current tax texts in 2026, the following are eligible for 10% VAT:

• Electrical installations carried out in a dwelling more than 2 years old
• Bathroom equipment supplied and installed by a professional, integrated into the building structure
• Heating systems not eligible for the 5.5% rate (particularly auxiliary electric equipment)

An electric towel warmer supplied and installed by a qualified electrician in a dwelling more than 2 years old meets these criteria — the applicable VAT is 10% on the entire invoice (supply + installation).

Conditions to be met

• Dwelling over 2 years old: the completion date of the dwelling must be more than 2 years prior to the start date of the works. For new or recently delivered dwellings, 20% VAT applies.
• Residential dwelling: primary or secondary residence — not purely commercial premises.
• Supply AND installation by the same professional: if you buy the appliance yourself and hire an electrician only for the installation, the appliance remains at 20% VAT. Only the electrician's labor benefits from the reduced rate. To benefit from 10% on the whole, the professional must both supply and install the appliance.
• Tax certificate: you must provide the company with a sworn statement confirming the age of the dwelling and its purpose (habitation). This simple document is usually provided by the professional himself for signing.

How much do you actually save?

5.5% VAT: in what cases can it apply?

The 5.5% VAT is the most advantageous rate — reserved for works improving energy performance. For a towel warmer, this rate is rarely directly applicable — but an exception is worth knowing.

What is eligible for 5.5%?

The 5.5% VAT applies to thermal insulation works, the replacement of energy-intensive heating systems with high-performance systems (heat pump, biomass boiler), and the installation of programmable thermostats. The electric towel warmer, as a resistive electric heating appliance, is not classified in the category of high-performance energy heating systems — it does not benefit from the 5.5% rate as such.

The exception: the programmable thermostat

The 5.5% VAT applies to the installation of a programmable thermostat — including when it is associated with a towel warmer. If your installation includes an external programmable thermostat (installed separately from the appliance), this part of the invoice can benefit from the 5.5% rate. Ask your electrician to itemize the invoice between the equipment to optimize the applicable rates.

The exception: induced works

If your towel warmer installation is part of a main project eligible for 5.5% (wall insulation, window replacement, heat pump installation), "induced" works carried out within 3 months can benefit from the same rate. The associated electrical installation — including for the connection of the towel warmer — can then be billed at 5.5% if it is clearly linked to the main project.

MaPrimeRénov' 2026: eligibility and reality for a towel warmer

MaPrimeRénov' is the most publicized energy renovation aid scheme — but also the one whose eligibility conditions are the strictest and most misunderstood.

What MaPrimeRénov' is in 2026

MaPrimeRénov' is direct state aid, managed by Anah (National Housing Agency), paid to owners who carry out energy renovation works in their main residence. In 2026, the scheme operates according to two distinct pathways:

• Single-action pathway (monogeste): funding for a single category of works from a precise list — insulation, heat pump, biomass boiler, VMC, etc.
• Assisted pathway (large-scale renovation): funding for a global renovation enabling an energy gain of at least 2 DPE classes, with support from an approved operator.

Is the electric towel warmer eligible for MaPrimeRénov'?

For single-action work: no. The installation of an electric towel warmer alone is not eligible for MaPrimeRénov' single-action pathway. The catalogue of eligible works in 2026 does not include resistive electric heating equipment — it is reserved for low-carbon heating systems (heat pump, biomass boiler, solar thermal) and insulation works.

For large-scale renovation: possibly. If you undertake a global renovation project for your dwelling — wall insulation, replacement of the main heating system, significant improvement of the DPE — the towel warmer can be included in the scope of works covered by MaPrimeRénov' assisted pathway, provided that the global project is eligible and that a "Mon Accompagnateur Rénov'" operator validates the entire project.

General conditions for MaPrimeRénov'

For eligible works, the basic conditions in 2026 are:

• Being an owner-occupier or landlord of the dwelling
• Dwelling built more than 15 years ago (assisted pathway) or more than 2 years ago (single-action work depending on the works)
• Dwelling as a main residence (occupied at least 8 months a year)
• Works carried out by an RGE certified (Recognized Guarantor of the Environment) craftsman
• Income conditions according to the Anah scale (very modest, modest, intermediate, higher)

CEE (energy savings certificates): what you need to know

The Energy Savings Certificates scheme obliges energy suppliers to finance energy saving works for individuals — via "energy bonuses" paid directly to households that carry out these works.

How CEEs work

CEEs apply to a precise catalogue of standardized works, identified by regulatory "operation sheets." Each sheet defines the technical conditions and the expected energy savings. Eligible works mainly include thermal insulation, high-efficiency heating systems, and heating regulation.

Is the electric towel warmer eligible for CEEs?

No, as an isolated installation. In 2026, there is no specific CEE sheet for the installation of an electric towel warmer. Resistive electric heating appliances are not considered as equipment enabling certifiable energy savings under this scheme.

However, if you install a certified programmable thermostat in addition to your towel warmer, some CEE sheets specifically cover heating regulation — inquire with your energy supplier about sheet BAT-TH-116 or equivalent sheets applicable to electric heating appliances with regulation.

The eco-PTZ: interest-free financing for a renovation including a towel warmer

The eco-interest-free loan is a financing scheme — not a subsidy. It allows you to borrow up to €50,000 interest-free to finance energy renovation works. This is particularly relevant for global renovation projects in which a towel warmer can be included.

Principles of the eco-PTZ in 2026

• Amount: up to €50,000 (assisted pathway) or €30,000 (bundle of works)
• Duration: up to 20 years of interest-free repayment
• Conditions: dwelling built before 1990, main residence, eligible works carried out by RGE professionals
• Procedure: application to a partner bank (La Banque Postale, Crédit Agricole, BNP, etc.)

How the towel warmer can be included

The eco-PTZ finances bundles of works — combinations of at least two types of eligible works (insulation + heating, heating + ventilation, etc.). If your project includes eligible works (wall insulation, window replacement, installation of a VMC) and you combine it with the installation of a towel dryer, the latter can be included in the envelope financed by the eco-PTZ as complementary home improvement works.

Local aid: the most often overlooked option

National aid is not the only option available. Regions, departments, metropolitan areas, and municipalities offer their own renovation aid schemes — often cumulative with national aid and sometimes more accessible.

The most active regions in 2026

Some French regions offer specific housing renovation aid that can cover a broader scope of works than MaPrimeRénov'. Île-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Occitanie, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine have historically been among the most active regions on this topic — but all regions offer schemes that are worth consulting before any project.

Aid from metropolitan areas and municipalities

Many metropolitan areas (Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes, Strasbourg) offer complementary aid to national aid for the energy renovation of old housing. Some municipalities even offer direct subsidies for comfort improvement works in private homes — sometimes without income conditions.

How to find applicable local aid

• France Rénov' (france-renov.gouv.fr): the official portal that lists all available aid according to your postal code, income, and the nature of your work — national AND local
• Your local Energy Agency (ALE): free advisors who guide you to the aid applicable to your situation
• The PRIS (Point Rénovation Info Service): a network of independent advisors who provide free support in finding aid and preparing applications

Can several aids be combined?

Combining aid is possible in 2026, but according to precise rules that avoid double financing for the same work item.

What can be freely combined

• 10% VAT + MaPrimeRénov': compatible — the reduced VAT applies to the entire invoice, and MaPrimeRénov' is deducted from the remaining amount after VAT
• 10% VAT + eco-PTZ: perfectly compatible — the eco-PTZ finances the 10% VAT inclusive amount
• MaPrimeRénov' + CEE: compatible depending on the works and conditions
• MaPrimeRénov' + local aid: generally compatible, to be checked according to the region
• Eco-PTZ + local aid: compatible

What cannot be combined

• Two financings covering 100% of the same work item — the general rule is that you cannot be reimbursed more than the actual cost of the work
• MaPrimeRénov' and certain specific regional aids may have non-cumulation rules — check on a case-by-case basis

Example of optimal combination for a project including a towel dryer

Let's take a bathroom renovation project in an old apartment (before 1990), including the installation of an electric towel dryer (€350 excluding VAT, supplied and installed) and electrical upgrades (€200 excluding VAT):

• Total amount excluding VAT: €550
• 10% VAT instead of 20%: saving of €55 (€55 instead of €110 in VAT)
• If included in a global eco-PTZ for a complete renovation: 0% interest financing on repayment
• Possible local aid: to be checked according to your municipality
• Final VAT inclusive cost with optimal combination: €605 — part of which potentially financed interest-free via eco-PTZ

Practical steps to benefit from aid

Here is the timeline of actions to follow to maximize the aid you are entitled to without wasting time on unnecessary procedures.

Step 1: Simulate your rights before any purchase

Before choosing your appliance or contacting an electrician, run a simulation on france-renov.gouv.fr. Enter your postal code, income, the age of your home, and the nature of the planned work. The simulator will show you in real time the available aid and their estimated amount.

Step 2: Request quotes with VAT rates broken down

When requesting quotes, specify that you wish to benefit from the reduced VAT rate. Request a detailed quote that explicitly breaks down the applicable VAT rates for each line (supply at 10%, installation at 10%, possibly programmable thermostat at 5.5%). A well-structured quote avoids disputes and facilitates any aid applications.

Step 3: Sign the tax certificate

To benefit from 10% VAT (and even more so 5.5%), you must sign a sworn statement confirming that the property was completed more than 2 years ago and that it is used as a dwelling. The professional will provide you with this document — check that it is present before signing the final quote.

Step 4: Keep all invoices

Keep all purchase and installation invoices for at least 10 years — the tax limitation period beyond which the administration can no longer challenge the applied VAT rate. These documents can also be useful for justifying work during a sale or a subsequent aid application.

Step 5: For MaPrimeRénov' (if global project)

If your project is part of an eligible global renovation, submit your MaPrimeRénov' application before the start of the work on maprimerenov.gouv.fr. An application submitted after the work has been completed is inadmissible. Get support from a Mon Accompagnateur Rénov' operator if you are aiming for the accompanied pathway.