Expensive, complex and costly, energy renovation work is nonetheless essential to make homes comfortable in winter and summer, and to save energy. If they are labeled F, G or even E, several hundred euros are often needed each month for heating, or to support the furnace in summer. The rise in energy costs is increasing the pressure on households housed in these “energy sieves”.
The latter are also suffering a discount on the real estate market – another reason to act. According to’annual study on the green value of housingpublished by the Notaries of France, an energy-intensive apartment or house sells on average, in certain regions, more than 20% less than an equivalent D-rated home. “The energy label has become one of the first questions asked by buyers”confirms Vincent Briand, head of the Era real estate agency in Tours.
Energy-intensive housing will also gradually be withdrawn from the rental market. Given the current difficulties in finding accommodation, the planned timetable could be adapted, but probably without major modification, because going back on these bans would be tantamount to leaving tenants to pay disproportionately high energy bills.
However, ensuring that in ten years all housing carries at least the D label, as provided for in the Climate and Resilience Law of August 22, 2021, seems ambitious. L’Energy renovation observatory estimates that around 5.2 million homes are still classified F or G, or 17% of the main residence stock. It is therefore necessary to renovate 500,000 homes per year, but the lack of craftsmen, materials and household financial means is an obstacle.
In good company
To move forward despite everything and carry out effective work, it is first of all important to be well advised. As each house or building is different, there are various solutions, and a household without specific knowledge in this area does not always know where to start.
The report on the energy rehabilitation of private housing, submitted to the government in 2021 by senior civil servant Olivier Sichel, highlighted the need for this support. It was established by the government under the name Mon accompanier Rénov’ (MAR). Designed as trusted third parties whose independence must be guaranteed by State approval, these MARs are gradually being put in place. A directory is accessible on the France Rénov’ website. The use of these professionals has been mandatory since 1er January 2024, as part of the new so-called guided route, for large-scale renovations.
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