The Notes de Styles interior architecture network prepares its employees for RE2020

In other words, all new buildings will have to be designed and constructed in such a way that they produce as much energy as they consume. In order to limit pollution linked to CO² emissions, the RE2020 will be based on 4 pillars: insulation, energy, innovation and carbon footprint.

Directly impacted by this new regulation, the architectural sector will have to rethink its mode of operation. Jérémy Hérard, manager and founder of the Notes de Styles network, is closely interested in the RE2020 which opens up new perspectives for architects.

Regulations based on 4 pillars

Insulation

Good insulation and the use of quality materials will allow buildings to better conserve heat and reduce their carbon footprint. The thermal resistance must also be greater: it was R≥8 (in m2.K / W) in new in the RT2012 and will go to R≥10 with the RE 2020.

“Insulation is the key point of the RE2020. Indeed, we are asked to divide by 6 the dimensions of the total air leaks: we now go from the size of an A4 sheet to the size of a credit card! For this, we pay particular attention to natural and bio-based insulation. Designed from renewable materials made from plant or animal fibers, it offers efficient and sustainable performance in terms of thermal comfort. We also favor certain materials such as wood fiber panels, wood wool, hemp wool, cork, straw, cellulose wadding… ”
Guillaume Detollenaere, Manager of the Notes de Styles agency in Côtes d'Armor

Energy

In order to meet the new energy objectives set by RE2020, renewable energies will occupy an increasing place in new constructions and renovations. Solar or photovoltaic panels, geothermal energy, wind power, heat pump etc., these devices coupled with an intelligent energy management system will make it possible to produce the electricity necessary for all the equipment in the house.

“To reach Energy level E3 or E4, the production and domestic consumption of renewable electricity becomes essential. Indeed, it will no longer be a question of reselling its electricity but of self-consumption to partially cover (level E3) or fully (level E4) the annual needs of the household in terms of lighting, heating, office automation, etc. ".
Jérémy Hérard, Founder of the Notes de Styles network

RE 2020 will also impose 2 new uses for calculating energy consumption: the use of household appliances and electronic devices (computers, television, refrigerator) as well as the carbon effects of construction. This notion of building use consumption is inspired in particular by regulations adopted by other European countries, such as the German Passivhaus label, for example.

Finally, the RE2020 will make it possible to remedy a defect often pointed out: the RT2012 was based on estimated consumption. From now on, individuals will be able to monitor their energy consumption and production in real time.

Innovation

The thermal insulation of new constructions will require the integration of new, more efficient materials capable of accumulating heat in order to reduce energy consumption. For this, home automation is proving to be a particularly effective solution: it must make it possible to control the heating and air conditioning equipment with greater precision, in order to better adjust consumption.

“I always suggest to clients who are embarking on a renovation to install a smart thermostat. This thermostat allows an average of 30% savings to be made by adjusting the temperature according to the detection of people in the house. Home automation also makes it possible to automatically turn off the lights and close the shutters to conserve energy in the building in winter and keep it cool in summer. I invite my customers to see the installation of these systems as a long-term investment because the savings will quickly cover their costs ”.
Jérémy Hérard, Founder of the Notes de Styles network

Digitization of the construction trades nevertheless remains essential in order to be able to process the voluminous data, necessary for the valuation and optimization of energy and carbon footprints. For this, Jérémy Hérard recommends that professionals in the sector use BIM (Building Information Modeling), a software and organizational response perfectly suited to these challenges.

The Notes de Styles network has been interested in digitization for several years. Jérémy Hérard also developed the Vitruve application in 2018. This allows all stakeholders - customers, architects, project managers and professionals in the field - to follow the development of sites in real time.

The carbon impact

According to Ademe, buildings represent 45% of our energy consumption and 27% of greenhouse gas emissions in France. The RT2012 has already allowed for almost 10 years to build houses that do not produce more than 50 kWh / m² / year. RE2020 will therefore reinforce this standard by forcing builders to produce self-sufficient houses.

“The maximum annual authorized energy consumption will be 0 kWh / m²! We are hopeful that most buildings are not limited to neutrality. Ultimately, the objective is to construct positive energy buildings (BEPOS) which create more energy than they consume (up to 12 kWh / m² / year). The primary energy coefficient (Cep) of electricity will be reduced from 2,58 to 2,3. It will therefore be necessary to limit oneself to 2.3 kWh of primary energy to produce 1 kWh of final electrical energy ”
Adrien Maury, Manager of the Notes de Styles agency in Montpellier

Thus, architects and builders will have to assess very precisely their own environmental impact during the construction and operation phases of their projects: taking into account fuel for journeys, calculating pollution on deliveries, choice of materials, etc. With RE2020, the carbon footprint will have to be calculated over a 50-year lifespan.

“Construction strategies will therefore be completely rethought with the arrival of this new regulation, which will allow a redistribution of short supply chains in France. Manufacturers will turn more to French suppliers to ensure the quality of products but also to reduce the carbon footprint of deliveries ”.
Jérémy Hérard, Founder of the Notes de Styles network

RE2020 training: a must for the Notes de Styles network

Jérémy Hérard makes it a point of honor to regularly train all of his employees on all the new regulations. The teams were also made aware of the RE2020 from 2019. In order to ensure compliance with these new standards, the network also undertakes to work only with partners and suppliers who are familiar with this new regulation.

“This change in mentality in construction should not come only from individuals. It is up to companies to be a force for advice and proposals and to invest in these new regulations that respect the environment. This is why it seemed essential to me to raise awareness and train all of my teams so that they could implement these new ways of approaching architecture, even before the regulations come into force ”.
Jérémy Hérard, Founder of the Notes de Styles network

The application of RE2020 strongly recommended for renovation works

If new homes and extension projects are directly affected, renovation projects are also in the end just as much.

“Even if the RE2020 is not mandatory in the context of a renovation, we strongly recommend it to all of our customers. Initially this allows them to own a house that has the same advantages as new, accompanied by the charm of the old. And secondly, they become eligible for financial assistance such as the tax credit. Expenses related to RE2020 can quickly be reimbursed thanks to this but also with the resulting energy savings ”.
Jérémy Hérard, Founder of the Notes de Styles network