The energy transition on the shoulders of diagnosis

A sector more greedy than we think

The transport and industrial sectors are generally seen as the largest consumers of energy. However, it is the building industry in France that occupies first place, with 44% of overall consumption[1], and therefore constitutes the biggest lever in terms of energy transition. With a real estate portfolio that includes more than 7 million thermal sieves[2], including 5,2 million primary residences (i.e. 17% of the stock), the renovation of buildings appears to be a lever that is certainly considerable, but actionable in the short term, tangible, within reach and at will.

Especially since the climate emergency, the chain of heatwaves and the surge in energy prices two months before winter remind us of common sense, as well as of our responsibilities: we must act in favor of energy sobriety. What do we need ? Financial means, obviously, and therefore State aid, of which certain well-known schemes (MaPrimeRenov', Prime Energie, Coup de Pouce, eco-PTZ, etc.) reflect voluntarism. But above all, we need to know where we are starting from, a clear inventory, a reliable diagnosis: we never have the right wind when we do not know which port to aim for.

Numbers and letters

In fact, the loss is immense. We are undoubtedly not going to fill the holes in seven million energy sieves in one day, but if we want to accelerate and consolidate the renovation of buildings, we will have to rely on precise data, like those provided by the DPE and energy audit. Perceived by landlords as restrictive measures, in particular since it is no longer possible to rent accommodation classified G+[3], nor to increase the rent of accommodation classified G and F, they are in reality tools of continuous improvement, the only ones that allow you to act effectively on your consumption, that is to say both on your finances and on the environment.

Monitoring committees bringing together ministry services and software publishers work every week to refine the DPE. The transition to the 3CL standard, in 2021, which removed consumption bills from the calculation (the DPE note was impacted by these, but temperature preferences vary from one resident to another) is an example of this. significant. The diagnosticians themselves are increasing their skills: many of them will have completed their training in 2023 with a view to carrying out energy audits, now necessary for the sale of a property classified E, F or G, and until now reserved for thermal engineers and architects. This opening of the audit to diagnosticians, which is in line with the Climate and Resilience Law of 2021, offers them the opportunity to broaden the scope of their skills; their recommendations to help owners and tenants consume less, that is to say better, will be even more precise.

Small streams, big transitions

Remembering that households are responsible for emitting 112 million tonnes of CO2 per year is important[4], both for collective awareness of the problem and to maintain pressure on the legislator; but the fact remains that this kind of heavy figure has little impact on individual behavior. Figures that are too large seem abstract: we have little control over millions of tonnes. But we have some on what our home consumes. The logic of small streams is particularly valid when it comes to housing.

When we explain that heating to 19°C, the temperature recommended by Ademe, instead of 21°C, it's 15% less on your bill, or that improving insulation would save so many euros per year, we certainly talk more about the wallet than about ecological awareness, but why should we discriminate between economic and environmental arguments? Particularly today, with the rising cost of energy... Ultimately, the carbon footprint is less about morality and more about accounting. Now we are accountable for the consumption of our goods. Hence the importance of knowing the details. What is not measured does not improve.

[1] https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/energie-dans-batiments

[2] Figures from the National Observatory for Energy Renovation (ONRE), published on July 22, 2022.

[3] Housing that consumes more than 450 kWh/m2 of final energy per year has been prohibited from renting since January 1, 2023. This will be followed by housing classified G in 2025, F in 2028 and E in 2034.

[4] Source: Ministry of Ecological Transition (“France’s carbon footprint from 1995 to 2021”).

Tribune by Mickaël Cabrol, founding CEO of Enersweet (LinkedIn).