Nearly two-thirds of French people have given up on energy renovation work for financial reasons.

Nevertheless, it highlights the paradoxes faced by households, who encounter major obstacles to initiating the energy transition: budgetary constraints, complex procedures, and uncertainty regarding return on investment. Through an analysis of these barriers and motivations, the study identifies five key levers to unlock the shift towards more sustainable housing.

A sense of belonging to one's home weakened by financial pressure

89% of Europeans (86% of French people) say they are attached to their homes, and 92% are satisfied with them, an increase of 3 points (91% of French people). Home thus appears as a true refuge: a space of stability and reassurance in a context marked by successive crises and widespread uncertainty that seems to be here to stay. It is within this cocoon that everyone seeks to protect themselves, rebuild their lives, and regain a sense of control over their daily routines.

Attachment to housing is based on a variety of criteria. In France, most of these criteria show a relative balance between perceived importance and level of satisfaction. However, some stand out due to significant discrepancies between what the French consider essential and their level of satisfaction: price, feeling of security, and energy efficiency.

Faced with rising costs, 59% of French people want to change their habits to reduce their energy consumption. Investment in new equipment (40%) and, even more so, home improvements (42%) are less common, indicating a more reasoned approach to energy conservation. Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Poland show a stronger momentum than Germany, France, England, and Belgium.

Economy and comfort: the concrete drivers of renovation

The pressure on purchasing power is widespread and directly influences decisions related to home renovations. For example, 44% of French people undertake renovation work to save money. At the same time, 47% cite comfort as their primary motivation. Comfort is therefore becoming a key priority—general comfort in all seasons, in the face of temperature fluctuations and air quality, often linked to heating systems.

In this context, environmental awareness as the primary driver of renovation has seen a significant drop of 9 points since last year (9% compared to 11% in Europe, a decline of 10 points). It's not that the environmental dimension has disappeared, but rather that it now seems integrated and accepted. The French have taken action: they have understood the importance of this transition, which is no longer a subject of debate, but a reality incorporated into their choices.

Five levers to unlock the transition to action

Energy renovation is not just a question of technique or financing: it is a set of levers, human, economic and political, which, when put in coherence, make it possible to move from intention to action.

Pedagogy to bridge the information gap

56% of French people feel they are not sufficiently informed about the true cost of the necessary renovations, a figure significantly higher than among our European neighbors (49%). Providing better information is therefore a crucial factor in facilitating action and ensuring that energy renovation ceases to be an abstract concern and becomes a concrete and accessible decision.

The social circle also plays a decisive role in the decision to renovate: 73% of French people are influenced by discussions with their loved ones. However, they are less receptive to discussions with professionals (62%). Local tradespeople, installers, and other professionals exert the strongest influence: they inspire trust because they embody expertise in the field. The media (44%) and social networks (35%), on the other hand, have a much weaker influence.

The work: proof through results

Energy renovation work is effective, and the French are aware of it. 60% of those who have carried out renovations have seen a decrease in their energy bills, and 75% believe that this decrease meets or exceeds their expectations. These figures are crucial because they demonstrate the tangible benefits of renovation: a visible, measurable, and profitable investment.

The value of assets: a rational driver

Investing in energy-efficient renovations is also an investment in the value of your property. 87% of French people are convinced that renovations have a direct impact on a home's value, as well as on the rent – ​​whether they pay it or receive it. Consequently, 58% expect a return on investment within 5 years. This is both an economic and environmental strategy: better insulation preserves immediate comfort while strengthening your assets. In the long term, energy performance becomes a key valuation factor, just like size or location.

Public aid: a key lever

While only 11% of French people are aware of existing financial aid programs and how to access them, these programs play a crucial role. If they were to disappear tomorrow, 60% of French homeowners would reduce or abandon their renovation projects. Furthermore, 80% of French people are not fully aware of the current regulations. These findings demonstrate that the energy transition is not just a matter of conviction, but also a question of access. Without incentives, momentum falters. However, with stable and transparent programs, the French will commit. Consistency from the government is therefore essential for maintaining household confidence.

Financing: Integration as a solution

The two main obstacles to energy-efficient renovations today are cost, particularly in France, and the complexity of the procedures, often perceived as a real ordeal. In reality, financial constraints act like the tree that hides the forest: they solidify the reasons why projects are abandoned, but mask a series of other equally decisive obstacles. For example, 68% of French people report having given up on renovations for financial reasons. But this figure should not obscure the 32% who abandon their projects for non-financial reasons: cumbersome administrative procedures (20%), proposals deemed unreliable (18%), a shortage of qualified tradespeople (15%), or a lack of information (15%).

When it comes to financing, credit, at first glance, remains a daunting word. 55% of French people don't think it's right to use it to finance energy renovation work. But everything changes when financing is integrated into the process: 55% believe that a credit solution offered directly by the company carrying out the work would be an advantage, and 56% would appreciate a financing offer included in the quote. In other words, the obstacle isn't credit itself, but the administrative complexity.

For Flavien NEUVY, Director of the Cetelem Observatory: "The study shows that the question is no longer 'why act?' but 'how to act concretely?' Europeans are ready to commit to the energy transition, but their decisions remain hampered by financial and administrative constraints, as well as by a demand for rapid profitability. Simplifying processes, making aid more accessible, and better informing households appear to be decisive levers for accelerating the transformation."

The presentation is available here

The study is available here

Methodology

The quantitative consumer survey was conducted by Harris Interactive from May 19 to 28, 2025, in eight European countries: Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. A total of 12.574 people were interviewed online (CAWI). 3.055 interviews were conducted in France and more than 1.300 in each of the other countries. These individuals, aged 18 to 75, were drawn from nationally representative samples in each country. The representativeness of the sample was ensured by the quota method (gender, age, region of residence, and income level/socio-professional category).

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.