DPE: Energy Performance Diagnosis, everything you need to know

Understanding the DPE: its role and its necessity

Definition and objectives of the diagnosis

The Energy Performance Diagnosis (DPE) It's a bit like the energy identity card for your home. It is mandatory and it is there so that everyone can easily understand the energy performance of a property. But what exactly is DPE? What is it for? In fact, it assesses the energy consumption and environmental impact of housing and assigns a Note label ranging from A to G.

This performance diagnosis assigns two labels (energy and climate); they have a direct impact on the value of the property. This is an important element during a transaction. So how should the DPE results be interpreted? You should know that it informs future buyers or tenants about the “green value” of housing, recommends work to improve its performance and estimates energy costs. Although the DPE is a precise tool, a more detailed energy audit may sometimes be necessary. If you want to know more you can consult this article on Mandatory energy audit.

Legal requirements and exceptions

Here are the situations where the energy performance diagnosis becomes mandatory and the exceptions to be aware of.

• Sale and rental : the DPE is mandatory for any sale or rental of real estate in France. It informs future occupants of the energy performance of the property.
• New buildings : new buildings are also subject to the DPE. The project owner carries it out and delivers it to the purchaser upon delivery. This ensures transparency right from the start of construction.
• Collective buildings : the “Climate and Resilience” law extends the DPE obligation to collective residential buildings. A staggered schedule is planned, according to the number of lots. The aim is to improve energy transparency on a large scale.
• Limited exceptions : some buildings are exempt, such as temporary buildings or agricultural, forest or craft buildings, but under specific conditions. The bond therefore focuses on homes, offices, hotels and shops.

In summary, the DPE is an important tool for the majority of real estate transactions and constructions with clearly defined exceptions. It's a bit like a technical inspection for your home!

Failure to comply with DPE obligations may result in legal consequences for owners and lessors. The absence of a valid DPE exposes to risks financial and legal. Since July 1, 2021, the DPE has been fully enforceable. The DPE is part of a set of mandatory diagnoses when selling or renting; in fact, for an overview, you can consult our article on Mandatory real estate diagnostics. Diagnosticians must send the DPE to ADEME; the latter issues a 13-digit number which is mandatory for the validity of the diagnosis.

Methodology and interpretation of results

Calculation of energy performances

To establish the energy score of a home, we look at its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The DPE informs you about energy and climate performance with labels ranging from A to G. Homes are classified according to their performances: A being the most efficient and G the least efficient.

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The conventional calculation method, called “3CL-DPE-2021", is used by certified professionals. They use specific software to obtain legal value. It is important to call on a certified professional to obtain a reliable and recognized DPE

Several key factors influence the energy ranking of a home. These include insulation, the heating system, ventilation and the production of domestic hot water. In fact, good thermal insulation reduces heat loss and an efficient heating system optimizes energy consumption — all elements that, combined, represent a real plus for better energy performance and a successful renovation. It's an investment that can really make a difference!

Deciphering the energy classes

The DPE labels A to G indicate the energy performance of a home. The label A represents the best class, while G is the worst. These classes define energy consumption thresholds; it's a bit like a report card for your home.

Classes F and G have important practical consequences. Homes classified F or G are considered thermal sieves and are subject to progressive rental bans. In addition, they are suffering a real estate discount. Faced with this emergency, energy renovation work is necessary to improve the housing class and avoid these sanctions. It is therefore important to anticipate these challenges and to plan the necessary work.

Class E will be banned from rental starting in 2034.

For their part, classes A, B, C and D are not subject to future rental prohibitions.

Regulatory developments and current challenges

New 2024 standards

In February 2024, a new regulations have been put in place in particular concerning the method for calculating the DPE for small areas (less than 40 square meters). Before that, these small areas were often penalized by the DPE. So, what are the new features of this 2024 regulation?

The aim of the DPE reform is to make the diagnosis more accurate and reliable. The idea is to better take into account the size of housing and climate issues. You should know that a Bad DPE may be an argument negotiation for buyers; this encourages sellers to lower the price of real estate that has poor thermal performance. If you want to know more about the changes made in 2021, you can consult our dedicated article: Everything you need to know about the new DPE 2021. To return to February 2024, a new regulation has been introduced concerning the method of calculating the DPE for small areas (less than 40 square meters), as indicated The website of the Ministry of the Economy — important information to remember if you are concerned by this type of property.

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Ecological and economic challenges

The DPE plays a Important role against strainers thermals. Indeed, it makes it possible to identify the homes that consume the most energy. The Climate and Resilience Law primarily targets the rental market. The objective is to encourage owners to renovate their property energetically.

A good DPE can bring significant added value to real estate — especially in regions where “green value” is recognized. The energy performance of homes has become an important criterion in their valorization. More and more purchasers see a bad DPE as a bargaining tool; this can influence the selling price goods.

Optimizing your DPE: strategies and work

Work without condominium authorization

Are you looking to improve the DPE of your home without embarking on major projects? Here is a list of interventions that you can carry out without asking for the agreement of the condominium; they will improve the comfort of your home.

• Inner insulation : improve the insulation of your walls from the inside, your low floors or your glass walls without requiring authorization, thus reducing thermal losses.
• Replacing the heating system : opt for a heat pump or a thermodynamic water heater for more efficient and economical heating, while respecting current standards. ATTENTION: if the heating in your condominium is collective, you will not be able to change it. On the other hand, the installation of a heat pump may require authorization from the condominium.
• Optimizing lighting : replace your conventional bulbs with LEDs, a simple and effective solution to reduce your energy consumption and improve your DPE.
• Insulation of pipes : insulate heating and hot water pipes to limit heat loss and optimize the efficiency of your installation without major intervention.
• Thermostatic valve installation : equip your radiators with thermostatic valves to regulate the temperature in each room and avoid wasting energy, thus improving your comfort and your DPE.

These works can be carried out without the agreement of the condominium and represent effective solutions to significantly improve the energy performance of your home. They can really make a difference in terms of comfort and energy savings. Replacing a boiler can have a significant impact on energy gain. By opting for a condensing boiler or a heat pump, you reduce your power consumption and improve your energy class. It is a type of work to prioritize in order to quickly optimize your DPE and value your real estate — a smart investment for the future of your home and its market value.

Financial aid and grants

Numerous financial assistance schemes are available to facilitate energy renovation; MaPrime Rénov' And the Energy Saving Certificates (CEE) are part of it. These grants make it possible to reduce the cost of work and to encourage the improvement of the energy performance of homes. To optimize the financing of your work, it is important to effectively combine the assistance available according to the type of housing and the work planned. Learn about the eligibility criteria and aid amounts to maximize your renovation budget and sustainably improve your DPE. It is a smart investment for the future.

Management of energy renovation works

Beelly, effective information for buyers

The startup Beelly has implemented a solution that simplifies energy renovation work. Simply send the DPE identification number to obtain a detailed report that tells you what works (without authorization from the condominium) to be implemented, their costs and theenergy improvement and of the DPE label which will be obtained. The information can also be used by buyers and sellers during negotiations.

Energy renovation work may include wall insulation, replacement of the heating system, or the installation of double glazing. Insulation is really the base of a successful energy renovation; if not done correctly, it can reduce the efficiency of the other works carried out.

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Mistakes to avoid when working

One of the frequent mistakes is to start work without an accurate diagnosis. Thinking that you can successfully carry out an energy renovation without the help of an expert is a bad idea. Indeed, an incorrect assessment of needs can lead to choice of unsuitable or superfluous work.

Calling on an RGE (Recognized Environmental Guarantor) craftsman is essential for several reasons: guarantees quality and financial assistance ; in other words, choosing a qualified craftsman means ensuring that the work will respect the norms and standards in force, which represents a guarantee of serenity for the future.

The DPE, much more than a simple diagnosis, is your asset for valued and economical housing. Start adapted energy renovation work and benefit from financial assistance. Since the real estate market is constantly evolving, anticipating these changes with an up-to-date DPE will not only allow you to value your property, but also to achieve significant energy savings, while contributing to a more sustainable future. A DPE Optimized means a serene real estate future and durable.

FAQ on energy DPE

What are the remedies in case of an erroneous DPE?

In the event of an erroneous DPE, you have various options if you feel aggrieved. Since the DPE has been enforceable since July 1, 2021, its author incurs liability. Start by reporting errors to the vendor or diagnostic company and ask for a correction or compensation.

If the disagreement persists, ask for a contradictory expertise; then, contact a mediator or a specialized lawyer. Legal action is also possible by targeting the diagnoser, the seller (for lack of information) or the syndicate of co-owners (in case of inaccurate information). The compensation may cover the costs of the work necessary to achieve the energy performance initially announced.

How does the DPE influence rental prices?

The DPE affects rental prices, as tenants are increasingly paying attention to energy performance. A good DPE makes a property more attractive; it can increase the rent. Since 2018, the DPE must appear in ads, which offers tenants the opportunity to compare properties.

Attention: since August 24, 2022, it is forbidden to increase the rent of apartments classified F and G when renewing the lease or renting again. To be able to continue to rent and increase the rent, owners of energy-intensive homes must carry out energy renovation work.

How long is a DPE valid for?

A DPE is generally valid for 10 years. However, DPEs carried out between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2017 were valid until 31 December 2022 and those carried out between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2021 are valid until 31 December 2024.

Do not forget that the DPE must be sent to ADEME to obtain a 13-digit number without which it is not valid. The “Climate and Resilience” law also makes it mandatory to carry out a DPE for all collective residential buildings, according to a progressive schedule.

Is the DPE mandatory for new construction?

Yes, the DPE is mandatory for new construction; it is then called “new DPE” or “DPE construction”. This obligation applies to new buildings whose building permit was filed after 1 July 2007. The new DPE must be initiated and paid by the project owner and the result delivered to the purchaser no later than the day of delivery of the new home.

Carried out on the basis of the initial thermal study and estimates, this diagnosis makes it possible to assign an energy class to the home; since it is valid for 10 years, it must be included in the technical diagnostic file (DDT).

What are the penalties for a fraudulent diagnoser?

In case of fraudulent DPE, various sanctions may be applied to the diagnosers. This includes a ban on practicing (up to two years) the withdrawal of certifications essential to the exercise of their activity and the inclusion on a blacklist prohibiting working with other certification bodies.

Financial and judicial sanctions are also possible; this makes it possible to turn against the expert or the owner in the event of a falsified DPE. Reinforced checks and controls — such as geolocation — are put in place to ensure the presence of the diagnoser on the premises.

How is DPE used in condominiums?

The collective Energy Performance Diagnosis (DPE) is a tool for evaluating the energy of condominium buildings. It is used to assess the building's energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, thus informing co-owners about the energy performance and environmental impact of their building.

The collective DPE is mandatory for multi-family residential buildings whose building permit was filed before January 1, 2013 according to a progressive schedule according to the size of the condominium; it includes a description of the energy state of the building, recommendations for work and an estimate of their cost. The collective DPE is valid for 10 years and makes it possible to assess the feasibility of energy renovation operations.

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