Energy performance diagnosis (DPE)

As usual our policies are the result of an announcement rather than contemplating and preparation for a new process. As it happens, has the DPE, which was the subject of a law of 17 May 2007 fixing the contents and construction methods using this diagnosis, brought actual progress?

How is this document useful for future tenants? Energy consumption doesn't only depend on housing. Doesn't everyone have their own habits? One person will light every room whilst another will turn out the light when they leave a room. Sometimes, an occupant works from home and uses machines and lights all day. Other times, a tenant only returns in the evening, in fact they're often away. One person will put the washing machine on several times a week, while someone else is happy to do it once a week. Homes are equipped with different household appliances: an energy-guzzling big screen TV, tumble dryer,... There are also big differences between types of homes. An flat 100m2 can house a family with children as well as an executive living alone.

Only the technical side of a building's capacity to hold heat would be interesting. Over time construction materials count a lot towards heating. In this way, some 'flat-sieves' will get cold again as soon as the heat goes off. The temperature will drop very quickly and it will take more than 24 hours - and a considerable energy consumption - for the flat to reach a comfortable temperature again. Double glazing can improve comfort, but if the walls are thin, it’s not much good.

That's why, for a prospective tenant, the energy performance diagnosis, based on the consumption of their predecessor, cannot be subjective information. As it is the building that determines energy performance. However, the tenant cannot rebuild the building, nor claim to have rebuilt it!

But what defines the DPE and how do you get it?

The energy performance diagnosis^[1](DPE), compulsory since1st July 2007, is above all an informative document on thermal specifications (heating, production of hot water) for homes, energy consumption and estimated expenses due to this consumption. More precisely, it informs about:

the amount of energy effectively or estimated to have been consumed by a building or part of a building,
the housing classification according to reference values so that consumers can compare and assess a property's energy performance.

This data is translated in two ways indicating:

energy consumption (for household appliances and now cars). The grades range from A to G, from 'energy-efficient housing' to 'energy-guzzling housing'.
the impact of this consumption on the greenhouse effect. The grades range from 'low greenhouse gas emitting housing^[2]' to 'high greenhouse gas emitting housing'.

This energy balance must be produced by a specialist who will perform the estimations according to an official method (3CL)^[3] or based on certified consumption over three years. It will be estimated according to the type of housing, that means:

For individual homes, based on actual consumption (meter records, bills,...).
Notable exception: chimney heating is not deemed additional heating and is not accounted for; so in reality a well-fitted chimney is a means of heating not to be ignored allowing a substantial area to be heated at a modest price (heating with wood).
For shared properties, for the annual amount of energy used by the shared occupants, the share part of the batch and on shared installations (type of heating, maintenance contract, etc.).

Compulsory or not?

The DPE is compulsory and must be attached to the lease for all properties, old and new, that are intended to be rented unfurnished, furnished or seasonally.

The DPE is not compulsory for a tacit renewal of a lease, a termination, an exchange or a sub-letting.

Worth known: it is not necessary to produce a DPE when selling a cellar, a car park or a garage without heating.

This formality, valid for 10 years, can be performed by energy service providers, study offices, checking offices and technical centers. The providers must be certified.

For more information:

http://www.logement.gouv.fr (Votre recherche (Your search) / option "Par thème" ('By theme'): property diagnoses)

Ademe ([French] Agency for Environment and Energy Management): by phone: 0810 060 050 (no. Azur) or on the website http://www2.ademe.fr/ (Domaines d'interventions / Bâtiment / Approches détaillées / Aides à la décision / Vendre ou louer)*

Conclusion

Having become aware of this new difficulty, what becomes of a landlord wanting to rent their property?

Legislation has been produced with several obligations that discourage renting.
When property owners put the wheels in motion, some pull out and there are so few available flats; others, who proceed in good faith endure the difficulties and costs of implementing the DPE.

What does the consumer think?

That he can't do anything about it, without:

renovating the building (or the rented part of the building) by doing isolation work (walls, windows, roofing),
changing the heating equipment,
using renewable sources of energy (solar panels, etc.)

That their best option remains, above all, in choosing an apartment or a house according to its heating method. Is heating shared or individual? If it is individual, is it electric or gas heating? Oh, the good old days!

Next Newsletter : Gas diagnostic March 15, 2008

[1] article L. 134-1 of the Code de la construction et de l'habitation (French Building and Housing legislation)
[2] greenhouse gas
[3] 'Conventional consumption in homes' calculation method