The energy performance diagnosis (DPE) provides information on the energy performance of a home or building, by evaluating its energy consumption and its impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. It is part of the energy policy defined at European level to reduce the energy consumption of buildings and limit greenhouse gas emissions.
The content and methods of establishing the DPE are regulated. The DPE describes the building or dwelling (surface, orientation, walls, windows, materials, etc.), as well as its heating, domestic hot water production, cooling and ventilation equipment. It indicates, depending on the case, either the amount of energy actually consumed (on the basis of invoices) or the estimated energy consumption for a standardized use of the building or the dwelling.
Regulatory environmental labels
Reading the DPE is facilitated by two labels with 7 classes from A to G (A corresponding to the best performance, G to the worst):
-the energy label to know the primary energy consumption;
-the climate label to find out the amount of greenhouse gases emitted.
This device is part of a set of measures aimed both at limiting the impact of rising energy costs on the French wallet and also at preserving the environment. This energy label is a major step forward in informing users: it allows each French household who buys or rents a property to better measure the impact on the greenhouse effect of its energy choices and to have an assessment of its energy bill.
Establishment of the energy performance diagnosis
The actual consumption of buildings depends very directly on the conditions of use and the effective heating temperature; the estimated consumption is not a contractual guarantee, but allows an objective comparison of the quality of the housing and buildings offered for sale or rented.
The diagnosis also includes recommendations that allow the buyer, owner, lessor or tenant to know the most effective measures to save energy: it is advice on good use and good management of the building and its equipment, as well as work recommendations. This recommended work is not mandatory: the objective of the DPE is to encourage improvement of the building’s energy performance, not to oblige work to be carried out.
Warning: Do not confuse the DPE with any other diagnosis that does not meet the same requirements that could be offered to you by non-certified professionals to establish it.
