The new energy performance diagnosis in force from July 1, 2021

A more reliable DPE will be effective from July 1, 2021. This document will precisely indicate the primary energy consumption of housing, its greenhouse gas emissions and an estimate of the energy bill.

Easy to understand, reliable and now enforceable. Introduced in 2006, the energy performance diagnosis, which is mandatory for all rentals and purchases of housing, has been radically revised to allow the State to manage its energy renovation policy more effectively

Changes to the ECD

Readable. The DPE label will no longer be calculated solely by taking into account the primary energy of the dwelling as was the case until now. It will also take into account greenhouse gas emissions. The assigned classification - A to G - will thus be the synthesis of the two indicators. The home's primary energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in kg CO2 / m².year will also be calculated more precisely. The economic cost of energy consumption will also be estimated, whether for heating, domestic hot water and lighting.

A stable number of thermal strainers. This new method of calculation should not, according to the government, influence the number of dwellings considered as thermal wrecks, ie 4.8 million which will have to be renovated. While 60% of goods keep their energy label, 40% move up a class. 800,000 homes using fossil fuels such as gas and fuel oil become thermal sieves, this fuel increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, 600,000 properties with electric heating and 200,000 heated with wood will no longer be considered energy-intensive homes.

Reliable. DPE has often been criticized, as old housing has not been the subject of any work benefiting from a classification identical to that of a recently built property! Several authorized calculation methods could explain these most surprising results. The DPE was notably determined according to invoices sent by the individual. But due to lack of information, \"blank\" DPEs were issued. No information regarding energy consumption was communicated! The new method, which will take into account all the technical characteristics of the dwelling such as insulation, heating, windows, will avoid these pitfalls because all the data entered in the software will now have to be verified.

Opposable. Until now, the DPE was only indicative. Now, the enhanced reliability of this diagnosis will allow it to be enforceable from July 1, 2021 like the other electricity, lead and asbestos real estate diagnoses. The purchaser of a home believing that he has suffered an economic loss could then engage the responsibility of the seller who would turn to the diagnostician. This new tool will also be used by the State to carry out its energy renovation policy. The DPE thus serves as a benchmark for evaluating, for example, homes to be renovated as a priority or granting aid. The ban on the rental of housing considered as heat sieves by 2028 will therefore target properties classified F and G according to this new DPE. From January 1, 2022, all real estate advertisements must indicate the energy and climate label without forgetting the estimates of the energy consumption of the home.

A transitional device. The government has planned a transitional phase to accompany the establishment of the new DPE, the texts necessary for its application to be published before the end of March. DPEs completed before July 1, 2021 will be valid until December 30, 2024. All DPE made from July 1, 2021 must comply with the new standards.

A DPE to redo. While the cohabitation of these two DPE should not pose a problem for recent housing, this will not be the case for energy-intensive goods. The lessors of apartments or houses classified E, F or G would, as advised by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, have every interest in carrying out a DPE in accordance with the new benchmark in order to know precisely the classification of their rental property. Because the owners of homes classified F and G can no longer increase the rent when changing tenants since January 1, 2021 in tight areas. While the overhaul of the DPE allows certain energy-intensive goods to retain their E classification, others could descend from A class to F with new obligations.

Posted by J. Augereau on February 16, 2021

Source: PAP