DPE: the reform that will promote electric heating

This is a key indicator for rental housing. Seven letters from A to G, the DPE stands for energy performance diagnosis. Starting January 1st, its calculation should be modified to favor electric heating over gas and fuel oil.

How many homes will be affected? 850,000 according to the government, 1.2 million according to the Négawatt association. These are G-rated homes, meaning they are thermal sieves, which could automatically return to the rental market without any work. Good news for owners. " The good news is that 850,000 homes will be reintegrated, allowing potential tenants to have a roof over their heads and to have owners who will not have vacant homes . That's also very good, " says Sylvain Grataloup, president of the National Union of Property Owners (UNPI).

For the government, the goal is to accelerate the installation of electric heating in homes by focusing on nuclear power. The government wants to "end our dependence on fossil fuels and increase rental supply." So, should we fear a windfall effect for homeowners? This is what consumer associations are denouncing. According to them, homeowners could be tempted to give up on renovating their homes. " It's a very bad decision. We're living in homes that can be indecent, in energy sieves, that are difficult to occupy, with high bills. And declassifying these homes won't make them more habitable ," laments David Rodrigues, a member of the national association for the defense of consumers and users - CLCV.

A public consultation will be organized before the measure comes into force.