Air conditioning and open doors: Groupement Actibaie calls on the government to act in favor of the energy transition

If the decree is long overdue, the Groupement Actibaie, a professional union affiliated to the FFB (French Building Federation) argues that the automation of doors would make it possible to meet the requirements of the prefectural decrees, but also to achieve energy savings during heating or air conditioning.

Cities like Bourg-en-Bresse, then Lyon, Besançon, Paris or Nantes have taken municipal decrees since mid-July, when France experienced an exceptional heat wave, for air-conditioned stores to close their doors, under penalty of fine.

For Vladimir Luzbhin-Asseev, Technical Manager of the Actibaie Group: “Indeed, open doors cause heat loss and increase the energy consumption of the premises by around 20%. However, an inexpensive and accessible solution exists on the market: automatic pedestrian doors. Any hinged door can be automated or, failing that, replaced by a sliding door, which would allow businesses to fulfill their regulatory obligations, but also to achieve significant energy savings, even though the government is announcing a national energy sobriety plan. »

A draft decree* submitted for public consultation in January 2021 had already proposed the obligation to close doors in heated or cooled tertiary buildings, but was rejected by the CSCEE.

For Vladimir Luzbhin-Asseev: “The reason given was that it would be difficult to monitor the application of such a measure. The prefectural decrees and the fines imposed on stores that do not comply with them show that an obligation to close doors is fully applicable and controllable. It is therefore time for the decree to be put back on the agenda of the legislators. »

Supporting retailers in the energy transition

If the solutions exist, they nevertheless have a cost. Indeed, for the automation of an existing door it takes about 2.000 euros and 4.000 euros for a new system (work included). A substantial expense for some traders.

For Vladimir Luzbhin-Asseev: “Unfortunately, the various aids** allocated to VSEs and SMEs for the financing of their energy renovation work relate to actions carried out before December 2021. In view of the latest measures taken by the government, it would be wise to put these aids back in place, have become more than necessary for traders. »

* Draft decree relating to the obligation to close the openings of buildings or parts of tertiary buildings, heated or cooled, January 4, 2021.

* Aid for companies to promote their ecological transition, December 9, 2021