As of January 1, 2027, the calculation method for the diagnostic de performance énergétique (DPE) in France will change, potentially benefiting property owners who use electricity for heating, cooling, or hot water. The new calculation method will lower the conversion factor for electricity from 1.9 to 1.7, reducing the weight of electricity consumption in the DPE calculation. This change will not require any work from property owners, but rather is a result of a new calculation rule.
Properties that use a significant amount of electricity are likely to see an improvement in their DPE classification, with some potentially gaining one or two classes. For example, a studio apartment heated by electricity and currently classified as G could move up to F or E. This change may allow some properties to escape the "passoire énergétique" (energy sieve) label, which is reserved for properties classified F or G. However, not all properties will see an improvement, and those heated by gas or oil will likely see little change.
Property owners can update their DPE for free if the new calculation method improves their property's classification. To do so, they will need to enter their 13-character DPE number on the website of the Observatoire DPE-Audit de l'Ademe, the French agency for ecological transition. They can then download an official attestation of their new classification, which can be used in place of the old DPE label for sales or rentals.
The new DPE calculation method will have significant implications for property owners who rent out their properties. As of January 1, 2025, properties classified G in metropolitan France can no longer be rented out, and this restriction will extend to properties classified F in 2028 and E in 2034. If a property's classification improves under the new calculation method, it may become rentable again or remain rentable after 2028.
However, properties that remain classified G or F will still be subject to rental restrictions and may require energy-efficient renovations. Property owners who are unsure about their property's classification or the implications of the new calculation method can consult the website of the Observatoire DPE-Audit de l'Ademe or seek advice from a professional.
The updated DPE classification may also impact the sale of properties, as a better classification can make a property more attractive to potential buyers. Properties classified F or G often sell more slowly due to the need for renovations, so an improved classification could increase a property's value.
Algerian property owners in France can take advantage of the new calculation method to update their DPE classification and potentially improve their property's marketability. Those who are unsure about the process or require assistance can consult with a journalist or expert, such as Ilyes Rahmani, who covers the lives of Algerians living in France for Algérie 360.
Key points
- Algerian property owners in France can update their energy performance diagnoses for free, potentially improving their property's classification.
- The new DPE calculation method will lower the conversion factor for electricity, benefiting properties that use electricity for heating, cooling, or hot water.
- Properties that remain classified G or F will still be subject to rental restrictions and may require energy-efficient renovations.
