Heat waves, electricity prices… Nearly 60% of owners could be encouraged to carry out renovation work

This unique system aims to measure the expectations of the French and their commitment to environmental issues, their desire to take action in an increasingly difficult context when it comes to daily spending decisions. For this first edition, RenObserver deciphers and measures the major questions of citizens and stakeholders in the sector. How does energy renovation help influence the purchasing power of the French? What changes are the French ready to implement in their homes to save money? Do they know enough about the energy renovation aid they can benefit from? Who do they trust to undertake the work? What is the impact of energy renovation of homes in the face of climate change? This barometer aims to guide the entire sector and mirror demand and its obstacles with supply and the systems supported by public and private actors.

Main lessons:

• At the end of summer, 6 out of 10 owners (57%) say they could be encouraged to carry out energy renovation work on their home, motivated both by new episodes of heatwaves (48%) and the increase in electricity prices (45%);
• 86% of French people think that energy renovation of homes can play an important role in protecting the environment.
• 76% of owners want to carry out work to reduce the bill and 77% of French people are considering installing solar panels;
• While the Government plans to increase from 10 to 20% the VAT rate which applies to renovation work on homes over 2 years old, 9 out of 10 French people (91%) and 94% of owners think that this decision will slow down the completion of work in this sector;
• Despite the desire of a majority of French people to engage in the energy renovation of their homes, they remain poorly informed about existing aid schemes: only 47% of owners know precisely what the MaPrimeRénov' scheme is and 56% did not know about the zero-rate Eco-loan. In fact, for 60% of owners, the State does not sufficiently encourage owners to carry out this work.

For Pierre Maillard, CEO of Hellio: “The French have become aware of the need to act to fight climate change and support their purchasing power. They are bearing the brunt of the effects of inflation on their energy bills. It is essential to activate sustainable levers such as energy renovation and the use of renewable energies. Numerous financial aids exist, but the French need to see clearly and be guided and supported. To encourage energy renovation, we will also need dynamic forces; it is necessary to develop training courses for these professions. »

Strong mobilization in favor of the energy transition

After another summer of heatwave, the 4th record since 1900, the French are aware that mobilization in favor of the energy transition must involve a collective approach. Among the different solutions to be deployed, the energy renovation of housing plays a major role. 6 out of 10 owners (57%) could also be encouraged to carry out work, motivated both by new heatwave episodes (48%) and by the increase in electricity prices (45%).

The need to use more renewable energy in homes is also one of the priorities for 40% of French people. Indeed, faced with the need to fight against global warming, the promulgation of the law on the acceleration of the production of renewable energies (APER) in March 2023, will encourage the installation of energy devices in housing, such as such as solar panels and heat pumps.

76% of owners want to carry out work to reduce their energy bill

In a context of inflation, energy is the main contributor to the increase in spending. The French are regularly confronted with soaring electricity prices. At the beginning of the summer, the Government announced a 10% increase in regulated electricity prices from August 1.

A measure which comes after two successive increases of 4% in 2022 and 15% at the start of 2023. As winter approaches, the French are increasingly concerned about their energy bill. Among the main reasons encouraging owners to undertake energy renovation work, it is the reduction of the energy bill and expenses which is mentioned as a priority; this is the case for 76% of house or apartment owners. Improving housing comfort comes in second place (63%).

To achieve energy savings, 77% of French people are in favor of installing photovoltaic panels on the roof of their building or house. A system widely supported by tenants. In fact, 86% of them would be inclined to install solar panels on the roof of their home.

This is also the case for 71% of owners. In addition, 38% of French people and 42% of owners have already planned or are considering modifying their heating installation to cope with the current energy crisis.

But before carrying out any work, the cost of renovation can be considered a real obstacle for many French people. 56% of owners who have not undertaken energy renovation work cite the amount as “too high” first. But do they know all the help they could benefit from?

For 60% of owners, the State does not sufficiently encourage the carrying out of renovation work in their homes

During the presentation of the decarbonization plan for the building sector last June, the Government announced that it wanted to accelerate, from January 1, 2024, global energy renovations and thus reform MaPrimeRénov'. Indeed, from 2024, households will have to be accompanied by a certified professional to be able to obtain aid to finance an overall renovation. The Government intends to strengthen the system by releasing 300 million euros. This envelope will be intended in particular to encourage the replacement of fossil boilers and to better insulate buildings. The objective is to reach the figure of 200.000 large-scale renovations in 2024, compared to 90.000 currently.

A lack of information on the existence of the devices

Despite an in-depth reform by 2024, the systems are struggling to become known to the French. If 86% of owners are aware of MaPrimeRénov', only less than one in two (47%) know precisely what it is.

Communication on the existence of this aid seems insufficient in the eyes of the French. Only 44% of owners think they could benefit from these financing solutions offered by the State.

If the French place their trust in institutional actors to support and advise them in carrying out their work (such as local authorities, at 69%, and specialized companies, at 63%), they do not trust the State (56% distrust) and even less in the Government (65%).

Furthermore, a few days before the presentation of the 2024 finance bill, parliamentarians could consider eliminating VAT at 10% for renovation work on housing over 2 years old. If the measure is adopted, the VAT rate for this work would increase from 10 to 20%. 9 out of 10 French people (91%) and 94% of owners believe that this increase could constitute an obstacle to carrying out maintenance and improvement work.

More generally, 60% of owners believe that the State does not sufficiently encourage the carrying out of renovation work in their homes, while many of them just need to be convinced to take the plunge, and thus contribute. to this major challenge that is the energy transition.

For Guillaume Loizeaud, General Manager of the individual residential activity at Hellio: “Achieving the ambitious objective set by the Government of 200.000 efficient housing renovations in 2024 requires exceptional mobilization of players in the energy renovation sector. The challenge is significant when we identify the numerous issues to which these actors must respond. This is the whole meaning given to Renobserver, that of precisely measuring the details of the concerns of the French and their aspirations. We believe that change in scale begins with concrete and regular measurement of the transformation to be produced. It is our collective responsibility, both public authorities and private actors, to work on every detail or difficulty that hinders households from taking action. The demand is there, private players are responding, everyone wants to succeed in this major national project, it remains to properly match demand and supply. »

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.