The new DPE: a letter won for your accommodation?
We are committed to keeping you informed about real estate news in our areas of Thonon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains.
We informed you of the new developments on the DPE in our article which you can find HERE. We have also informed you about how to invest using energy strainers HERE, without forgetting to support you with our guide to an economic transition HERE.
Today we are discussing the latest news of the day regarding DPE for you.
The new DPE: a letter won for your accommodation?
In February 2024, a new modification is made to the energy performance diagnosis (DPE). This involves modifying the calculation method to reduce the impact on smaller areas. Current DPEs can be verified using a simulator.
What has changed with the new DPE?
It is necessary to reform the energy performance diagnosis to eliminate categories F and G from many smaller areas. However, although it has already received criticism even before it is fully known, this reform will not answer all the concerns and questions.
The new DPE is more suitable for smaller surfaces.
More than a hundred pages of tables and mathematical formulas constitute the method of calculating the DPE applicable since July 1, 2021. The software of all diagnosticians uses this reference, which means that the DPE of the same dwelling must be identical, whatever the intervention of the diagnostician.
Current heat loss criteria excessively penalize small areas, according to many observers. In particular, it would be necessary to correct two points:
1. Considering domestic hot water. Small areas are penalized when the size of the balloon is taken into account in comparison with the surface area of the housing and the average number of inhabitants.
2. The thermal compactness index is calculated by dividing the surface area of the dwelling by the sum of the loss surfaces (those located outside or in unheated premises). Walls and other heat-losing surfaces have a proportional importance for a small area, which causes the index to drop, just like the DPE.
The current calculation method implies that, for two dwellings that are almost identical in terms of surface area, the smaller dwelling is systematically ranked lower than the larger dwelling. This means that most studios are classified as thermal sieves, even after major energy renovation works.
According to ADEME, only 13% of housing over 100 m² is classified F or G, while 27% and 34% of housing under 40 m² are classified F or G.
The reform should make it possible to correct this error and classify small areas in a more objective manner. The reform should be carried out using coefficients adapted to small dimensions. It is expected that the modification of the algorithm will allow a large proportion of small surfaces to win one or two categories, thus excluding them from the energy sieve category (classes F and G). This would allow them to remain in the rental stock and extend the horizon of the work obligation.
Towards an alternative reform of the DPE?
On February 12, 2024, the Minister of Energy, Bruno Le Maire, expressed his intention to consider taking into account different types of energy when calculating the DPE, which currently results in penalties for electricity. DPE is at the center of many priorities...
When will the new DPE be applied?
Minister Christophe Béchu announced the reform on February 12 and it was presented to real estate professionals on February 15. However, the reform is being implemented. It should be officially written and published on July 1, 2024, while the software used by diagnosticians is modified.
How to modify your DPE and obtain a new label?
A simulator to recalculate the label is already available!
Since February 13, 2024, an ADEME simulator has been available for those who already have a DPE and allows them to test whether they are affected by the reform and to determine whether the letter has been improved. It is possible to access it immediately, free of charge and without resorting to a diagnostician; simply indicate the DPE number (13 numbers and letters at the top right of the first page of the diagnosis) and the initial DPE result appears, as well as the corrected result if a correction has been made.
According to the simulations, small housing units (measuring up to 40 m²) gain one or two classes, which allows many housing units to escape the status of “energy sieve”. Homes that are already highly rated may also receive an upgraded energy rating. ADEME responds that the modified DPE label cannot be lower than that of the original DPE. Indeed, the evolution of DPE labels for housing of less than 40 m² will automatically result in an identical or higher label. Please note: despite the reform, certain small areas remain energy sieves classified F or G and do not undergo any change.
A certificate must be downloaded from July 1, 2024.
Although the official ADEME simulator currently presents the fix, it is still impossible to download a certificate. Today the only goal is to simulate the housing label using the current DPE based on the suggested modification.
However, after the reform is made official on July 1, 2024, the simulator will be able to produce a certificate to justify the modification of the housing DPE label. To justify the performance of your accommodation, you can attach this certificate to your rental or sales file. Thus, a new diagnosis will not be necessary.
Why additional reform of the DPE?
Even though the DPE has a growing influence on the real estate market, it is increasingly criticized, forcing the Government to reform it.
The DPE is at the center of the crisis.
Since the Climate Law of 2021, the DPE has gained importance because it affects the sale price because the buyer takes into account the energy label, the cost, the difficulty and the schedule of the work necessary for the accommodation to be economical in energy. In addition, its result affects the rental market because it determines whether or not the accommodation can be rented and affects the setting of the rent.
The DPE reform does not call into question the energy renovation obligation.
It is important not to neglect the importance of DPE reform: climate change and the energy crisis continue to exist. Buildings and housing are sources of energy saving and greenhouse gas reduction. To achieve this objective, it will be necessary to carry out insulation and energy renovation work on the majority of residential real estate. The quality of housing will not be affected by the modification of the DPE, nor by the pressing need to renovate it! The reform of the DPE must not lead to neglect of reality...
DECORDIER immobilier agencies can help you with your real estate project:
- Thonon +33 (0) 4 50 72 31 95 / e-mail : thonon@decordier-immobilier.com
- Evian +33 (0) 4 50 75 15 15 / e-mail : evian@decordier-immobilier.com
- Grand-Baie : +230 268 2828 / e-mail : contact@decordier-immobilier.mu
www.decordier-immobilier.com