In short. Qualibois Air covers independent wood heating, while Qualibois Eau covers hydraulic wood heating and all types of stoves, within their below 70 kW scope.
Definition: As of October 2026, Qualibois Air is Qualit’EnR’s business qualification for installing wood heating appliances independent of a hydraulic circuit, meaning a water based heating circuit. Qualibois Eau covers wood heating connected to that circuit and all types of stoves; both scopes concern equipment below 70 kW in individual housing in France.
Key facts
- Qualit’EnR’s August 2026 qualification guide lists standalone stoves and inserts under Qualibois Air.
- The qualification rules give Qualibois Eau a scope encompassing hydraulic wood heating systems and all types of stoves.
- The Qualibois quality charter identifies Qualibois as carrying the RGE designation, short for Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement, and commits participating installers to its quality requirements.
Which appliances fall within each scope?
The qualification guide shows an overlap between the modules:
| Qualification | Equipment listed in the guide | Power limit |
|---|---|---|
| Qualibois Air | Standalone stove and insert. | Below 70 kW. |
| Qualibois Eau | Standalone stove and hydraulic wood appliance. | Below 70 kW. |
A standalone stove therefore appears in both rows. An insert appears in the Air row, while hydraulic wood equipment appears in the Eau row.
The detailed rules, sections 7.7.1 and 7.8.1, define Air by independence from the hydraulic circuit and Eau by connection to that circuit together with coverage of all types of stoves. Both sections specify individual housing on French territory.
How do the evidence requirements differ?
The qualification rules require at least two installation references completed within the preceding 48 months for each module. For Air, a wood cooker without a hydraulic connection can count as an installation reference.
For Eau, acceptable references are hydraulic wood boilers, hydraulic stoves or hydraulic wood cookers with useful power below 70 kW. Its installation audit must take place on a hydraulic wood boiler or hydraulic stove. The inclusion of standalone stoves in Eau’s scope therefore coexists with specifically hydraulic reference and audit requirements.
The same rules describe separate approved training routes for the company’s designated technical lead: Bois Air and Bois Eau. Each route requires a minimum multiple choice assessment score of 24/30 and successful practical assessment.
How can the qualification be checked for a website claim?
Qualit’EnR’s rules on qualification numbers and public records, sections 3.1.3 and 3.2, give both Qualibois modules the following number format. The French placeholder denotes the business identifier:
QB / [identifiant de l’entreprise]
The shared prefix identifies the Qualibois brand. The module name on the certificate supplies the Air or Eau distinction. Qualification numbers must appear on estimates and invoices, and Qualit’EnR publishes current certificates on its website.
Under section 3.1.1 of the same rules, businesses may display qualification logos corresponding to the qualifications obtained and the years covered by their certificates. Logo use runs from receipt of the certificate until its expiry date.
FAQ
Can you use Qualibois Eau for a standalone stove?
Yes. The qualification guide includes a standalone stove below 70 kW in the Eau row as well as the Air row.
Does a Qualibois Air installation reference count for the Eau audit?
The Eau audit rules, section 7.8.10, require the audit to concern a hydraulic wood boiler or hydraulic stove. An audit on an independent appliance falls outside that requirement.
What paperwork does a Qualibois installer commit to providing?
The quality charter requires a detailed written estimate after a site visit. It also requires a detailed invoice separating equipment supply from labour, with precise equipment identification and certification references.
Sources
- Qualit’EnR, “Les qualifications”, August 2026
- Qualit’EnR, “Nomenclature et règlement d’usage”, September 2026
- Qualit’EnR, “Charte Qualibois”, October 2025
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