L‘National Observatory for Energy Renovation estimates that 15.7% of the French real estate stock would be “energy strainers”. And we must add to this all the homes which, without even considering their rating as part of the calculation of the energy performance diagnosis (EPD), present significant insulation defects.
Roofs and facades, still too little used in energy optimization strategies, are responsible for nearly 30% of energy losses (Renovation. Insulate your house, Ecological Transition Agency, “Keys for action”, November 2023). A most alarming figure in a dual context of energy and environmental crisis!
Certainly, several pieces of legislation such as the Climate and Resilience law, several regulations such as thermal regulations, or measures such as the DPE then MaPrimeRénov’, have been implemented to remedy this. But we deplore the slightest ambition of current energy policies, often expensive half-measures of doubtful effectiveness.
Behind this sad picture lies a multitude of missed economic opportunities, both for public authorities and for players in the French real estate and energy sectors, without forgetting individuals!
To escape energy poverty and respond to an emergency that is both social and environmental, we are calling for large-scale collective action to act at three levels.
31.4% reduction in heat loss
First of all, we need to completely rethink strategies for improving the energy performance of buildings through policies adapted to the current emergency. Solutions based on plants, through their obvious advantages in terms of reducing energy consumption (thermal insulation in summer and winter, acoustic insulation), must become first choice options in energy renovation and insulation strategies.
A British study shows that a green wall can reduce heat loss from buildings by 31.4% compared to a conventional structure (“ Living wall systems for improved thermal performance of existing buildings », M. Fox, J. Morewood, T. Murphy, P. Lunt, S. Goodhew, “Building and Environment” n° 207/A, 2022). Plant structures, in addition to optimizing the regulation of indoor temperatures, offer greater comfort to residents and therefore reduce the need to use energy-intensive air conditioning systems.
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