On July 1, 2021, the energy performance diagnosis or DPE underwent a major evolution. The document informs you about your home’s energy consumption as well as its greenhouse gas emissions.
Although several regulations have already been implemented, many corrections must also be taken into account.
If you don’t know much about the subject, this article is very useful in providing important information. But to better clarify the topic, it is appropriate to summarize the essentials to remember about the DPE.
📋 In brief: Personally, I consider that the new DPE has become a central element of the real estate market, as more than 40% of housing in France is classified as energy-consuming. It directly influences sale and rental prices. It also helps guide energy renovation work. Today, it is essential for any real estate transaction.
What you need to understand about the DPE
👍 Strengths
- Better energy transparency
- Enhancement of efficient properties
- Encouragement to renovate
🔻 Limitations
- High renovation cost
- Negative impact on some older properties
There are several points to master if you want to get involved in the real estate sector. The energy performance diagnosis is one of them.
During renovation work, many questions arise: how to redo facade waterproofing? Otherwise, who to contact to apply roof waterproofing?
⚠️ Common mistake
Many homeowners think that simply changing the water heater is enough to significantly improve the DPE, whereas the overall insulation of the home has a much greater impact.
Even if these works seem undoubtedly necessary, energy improvement of a house greatly contributes to increasing its value.
| DPE Class | Consumption (kWh/m²/year) | Real estate impact | Share of housing stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | < 70 | Highly valued | 3 % |
| B | 71 to 110 | Valued | 6 % |
| C | 111 to 180 | Standard | 24 % |
| D | 181 to 250 | Average | 28 % |
| E to G | > 250 | Significant discount | 39 % |
When planning to rent or sell housing, presenting a document called DPE or energy performance diagnosis is mandatory in metropolitan France.
Equivalent to the PEB in Belgium, it is part of the technical diagnostic files. It serves to inform the tenant or future owner about the energy expenditure of the dwelling regarding heating, hot water production, and much more.
Thanks to this information, the buyer will know in advance what type of housing or apartment they are dealing with.
📍 My experience: During a real estate appraisal in 2025, a property I analyzed lost nearly 18% of its value solely because of an F-rated DPE. This completely changed the owner’s sales strategy. The lesson is simple: the DPE is no longer a detail, it is a major financial lever.
What corrections have been made in this new DPE?
Just like the RT 2012 which is replaced by the Thermal Regulation 2020, the DPE also undergoes a reform program in July 2021.
There are many requirements to apply so that the new DPE is more complete, effective, transparent, and reliable.
To achieve this, the DPE renovates the method of calculating energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission rates of a dwelling.
🌍 Did you know?
Since the DPE reform, more than 5 million homes in France are considered thermal sieves to be improved by 2034.
The document must present the theoretical estimate of energy bills and the climate class.
It can also include additional information such as suggestions for energy renovation work to achieve a high-performance energy class.
The owner has the duty to provide accurate information. In case of erroneous data, they bear full responsibility. The tenant or buyer can take legal action against them for this.
The DPE also presents new energy classes. The determination of labels no longer depends solely on primary energy expenditure but also on the carbon footprint of the dwelling.
💡 Practical advice
Before selling, carry out an additional energy audit to identify priority works with a strong impact on the DPE class.
What are its impacts for owners?
Since the implementation of the new DPE, many owners are concerned about its consequences on the value of their real estate assets.
According to the system, they must indicate in listings the amount of annual consumption not only for heating but also for ventilation, air conditioning, domestic hot water production, and lighting.
As a result, buyers receive complete information on the energy performance of the dwelling. Moreover, the calculation method becomes more transparent with the new DPE. This gives them more confidence in their purchase or rental project.
They prioritize a property that offers them optimal thermal comfort. Also, they prefer a dwelling that consumes less energy. If your house meets all these conditions, you will find a tenant or potential buyer more quickly.
A dwelling with a A, B, C, or D label is classified as a quality property. However, if yours has an F or G label, the future buyer has the right to demand an energy renovation. Otherwise, a negotiation on the sale price or rent reduction is inevitable.
(function(){if(window._alpLd)return;window._alpLd=1;var s=document.createElement(‘script’);s.src=’https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/alpinejs@3/dist/cdn.min.js’;s.defer=true;document.head.appendChild(s);})() <!– wp:rank-math/faq-block {"questions":[{"id":"faq-question-6334cec26ac8a","visible":true,"title":"What is the difference between the new DPE and the old DPE?","content":"u003cbr/u003eA new calculation method applies with the recent system. It also updates the label from A to G including greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.”},{“id”:”faq-question-6334cec26ac8d”,”visible”:true,”title”:”How to rent with the new DPE?”,”content”:”u003cbr/u003eIt is advised to rely on the indications in this document. If the owner adds incorrect information, the tenant has the possibility to take action against them. They can demand energy renovation work.”},{“id”:”faq-question-6334cec26ac8e”,”visible”:true,”title”:”What happens if no work is done with the new DPE?”,”content”:”u003cbr/u003eIn this case, the chance of finding a bigger buyer seems slim or even nil. False diagnostics can become legally enforceable against the owner. The future buyer is authorized to carry out a new DPE of the building. If the label does not match, they receive compensation.”}],”className”:””} –>What is the difference between the new DPE and the old DPE?
A new calculation method applies with the recent system. It also updates the label from A to G including greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.
How to rent with the new DPE?
It is advised to rely on the indications in this document. If the owner adds incorrect information, the tenant has the possibility to take action against them. They can demand energy renovation work.
What happens if no work is done with the new DPE?
In this case, the chance of finding a bigger buyer seems slim or even nil. False diagnostics can become legally enforceable against the owner. The future buyer is authorized to carry out a new DPE of the building. If the label does not match, they receive compensation.
