Is an energy audit compulsory?
When is an energy audit mandatory in France? In France, it is compulsory to carry out an energy audit of a building (not to be confused with the Diagnostic de Performance Energétique or DPE) for all buildings intended for sale or rent, whether single-family homes or apartment blocks. The aim is to promote and encourage the energy transition of households by renovating properties to make them more energy-efficient.
What is an energy balance or energy performance diagnosis (DPE)?
It’s important to note that an energy balance is a document that measures a building’s energy consumption over a given period, and enables actions to be taken to improve the building’s energy performance. It can be carried out by a certified professional, and must be made available to owners, tenants or buyers to inform them of the real carbon footprint of the property they are interested in.
The aim of the energy balance is to reduce a building’s energy consumption and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. To carry out an energy balance, it is necessary to collect information on the building’s characteristics (surface area, insulation, heating and cooling systems, etc.), its uses (number of people occupying the building, hours of use, etc.) and its energy consumption (electricity and gas bills, etc.). This data is then compiled, analyzed and compared with reference values to assess the building’s energy performance and identify actions to be taken to improve performance and reduce the building’s carbon footprint. The energy balance for a building in France is valid for 10 years.
Situations where an energy balance is mandatory:
Under French law, it is mandatory to carry out an energy audit in the following situations:
– For the sale or rental of all residential or office buildings over 50 m²;
– For all rental properties over 100 m² ;
– For all rental units in apartment buildings over 50 m².
Energy audits are also mandatory for certain administrative procedures, such as :
– When declaring work to the town hall;
– To obtain a building permit ;
– To obtain approval to rent out furnished tourist accommodation.
Energy audits are also mandatory for certain construction and renovation projects. For example, in order to obtain certain types of financial aid, it may be necessary to carry out an energy audit and commit to meeting certain energy-saving requirements. Finally, energy audits can be recommended as part of a building’s energy management and optimization program, whether for strictly economic or environmental reasons. There are also some exceptions to the energy balance stipulated by law.
