Ecobonus, return to higher discounts for windows, heat pumps and thermal coats

As Il Sole 24 Ore anticipates, the list of subsidized works would involve fixtures, heat pumps and air conditioners, hybrid systems (consisting of boiler and heat pump, controlled by a single control unit), solar thermal, shielding and coats. In essence, for these interventions we would return to discounts in line with the past, higher than the current ones.

Read also: Air conditioners, the 50% deduction for installing them expires at the end of the year: how to obtain it

After the season of enhanced post-Covid concessions, the government has gradually redesigned the discount scheme. The current structure provides for a 50% deduction for first homes and 36% for others. And all the home bonuses are aligned on these percentages, from the one for renovations to the earthquake bonus up to the ecobonus. These are horizontal concessions which do not provide additional benefits if the works lead to energy savings.

See also: Home bonus, what changes in 2027: from renovations to ecobonuses, earthquake bonuses and furniture

Il Sole 24 Ore recalls that based on Enea's 2025 statistics, the ecobonus moves a total of around 3.6 billion in investments per year. The most facilitated works with this measure are those of replacing windows and doors, with investments of around 2 billion euros. Then around 600 million involved thermal coats and insulation. Following this, another 371 million were invested in heat pumps and air conditioners. But it should be remembered that in this case only the complete or partial replacement of winter air conditioning systems with high efficiency heat pumps is incentivized. About 300 million went to sunscreens. Finally, around 80 million involved hybrid systems, including heat pumps and boilers. Other minor works must also be added to the total, including building automation systems or solar thermal for domestic hot water.

At the moment we can only think hypothetically. The scope of subsidized interventions could be different. Different types of jobs are mentioned in the European Commission's communication and they are only partially compatible with those of the old ecobonus. If a scheme like the current one were held, at 65% for first homes and 36% for others, the difference would be 15% compared to the 50% level used now. And therefore considering the same number of jobs, bonuses for a further half a billion euros should be guaranteed in ten-year instalments.

At European level, states will have to communicate an initial list of energy security measures for which they intend to benefit from flexibility, accompanied by the related estimate of budgetary costs. Sufficient evidence must be provided on the eligibility, additionality and economic effectiveness of each measure. Italy will proceed by the month of September and will thus free up space for other resources to maneuver. If the various OKs arrive from Brussels, it will be possible to proceed with the government's request to Parliament to authorize the budget deviation, to be approved by an absolute majority before finalizing the maneuver.

The philosophy of the new exemption is to prevent the greater deficit from financing generalized discounts and instead direct it towards interventions capable of structurally changing the European energy system. Therefore excluding reductions in excise duties and other taxes on fossil fuels. States will be able to use up to a maximum of 0.3% of GDP per year for the chosen measures, up to a cumulative 0.6% over the three-year period. Each measure will have to be documented individually and states will have to update Brussels on costs and interventions twice a year.

For further information: Energy, the EU establishes flexibility measures. From renewables to bonuses: here are the stakes