Ensuring the social acceptability of housing energy renovation policies

FILMM has surrounded itself with recognized experts: Dominique Estrosi-Sassone, President of the Senate Economic Affairs Committee; Alexandre Dozières, Deputy Director of Climate, Energy Efficiency and Air (DGEC); Danyel Dubreuil, Coordinator of the Rénovons Initiative and Elisabeth Bardet, President of FILMM to debate the issue.

The ambitious targets for decarbonisation and energy efficiency of buildings set at European and national level to combat global warming are not easy to achieve but they are imperative to keep the planet habitable.

To do this, we must involve everyone actively, massively and voluntarily, each in their role, because housing is a subject shared by all.

The conditions for success are ultimately quite simple: a stable, clear, predictable framework with more financial support, particularly for those who need it to limit their remaining costs, better support for individuals and craftsmen/businesses, exemplary state behaviour and a fight against fraud.

• Maintain a stable and ambitious budgetary course enabling us to move, in the long term, towards comprehensive and efficient renovations of the entire housing stock

The time taken to decide and carry out the work is long. Individuals and those who advise them must be reassured about the sustainability of the aid until the end of their projects.

The sector (craftsmen/companies and manufacturers in particular) needs visibility to plan the investments necessary to meet needs, deploy training and initiate essential recruitment.

• Reducing the remaining cost for the most modest households

All financial instruments must be mobilized: MaPrimeRenov', the CEE as well as the Eco-PTZ and the mutation advance loan. The France Renov' advisors as well as the facilitators (MonAccompagnateurRénov') must be able to offer households a financial package allowing them to complete the financing of the work without giving up the ambition of the project.

• Do the work in the “right order”

An efficient energy renovation starts with the insulation of the building envelope to reduce the energy consumed, sustainably reduce energy bills and improve winter and summer comfort in homes. There is no need to oppose single actions and overall renovation, however, it is necessary to start by insulating the housing envelope and then install the most suitable equipment. The ideal is not to break up the work for a better efficiency/cost ratio, the "action" must be part of a coordinated process (which includes 6 work items, 3 of which concern insulation (roofs, walls and lower floors), windows, ventilation and heating).

If it is not installed in a building that is already insulated, equipment consuming decarbonized energy will leave the consumer at the mercy of the increase in the cost of energy on their bills, and could cause problems for the electricity network (electricity peak).

• Show an exemplary state

Citizens should not feel alone in the effort (which will nevertheless be rewarded) of renovation. The State must set an example for its own buildings. Not only will people benefit from more comfortable buildings, but they will also see that this reduces the costs of the communities.

• Fight against fraud

Better control and exemplary sanctions will strengthen consumer confidence in the system, particularly in those who do their job well. The stability of aid will limit windfall effects unfortunately exploited by unscrupulous actors. This will also allow for better readability of aid, which will not have to be adapted to counter bad practices.

To move towards better housing performance, FILMM calls on the Government to reintroduce into MaPrimeRenov' the insulation of unused attics and low floors, which currently only appear in major renovations. However, these insulation actions can be the first triggers for other renovation work and are very effective. Insulating unused attics (along with converted attics) allows for significant energy savings since the roof is responsible for nearly 30% of heat loss. Insulating unused attics is one of the quickest and least expensive actions to implement.

Finally, the FILMM considers that a bad signal would be given if the State postponed the date of the obligation to renovate colanders in rental properties (planned for January 1, 2025 for G-rated housing). Millions of households cannot be left in a situation of energy insecurity and unsanitary conditions, and in financial difficulty as a result. This long-standing obligation has already shown positive effects on the works market and the improvement of the DPE label of a significant number of homes.