Six reasons to make your home more energy efficient
Owners and landlords need to do their bit to mitigate climate change, and there are other benefits too…
1. Help save the planet
Let’s start with stating the obvious. Any property owner or landlord can do their bit to protect the environment. Start by insulating walls, windows, and roofs, and update the heating system.
2. Increase the value of your home
It’s become clear from sales records that well-insulated apartments that come with a better energy label are beginning to command a premium. The energy efficiency of housing is measured by the energy performance diagnosis (DPE), so older A-B class apartments are less appealing, especially those built 50 years ago. As energy renovation laws tighten, homes that are not energy-efficient will become much harder to sell.
3. Tenants will prefer energy-efficiency
Increasingly, rental tenants will want energy-efficient housing. They will also want to help reduce climate change with their choice of housing, as well as the need to reduce their energy bills, which will mean that they will prefer properties with preferable DPE ratings.
4. Poor insulation = no rent rises
From 2020, if you own a poorly insulated dwelling (more than 331 kWh per m2 per year) you will have to carry out energy renovation work or you will not be able to increase the rent when renewing the lease or re-renting. If you have a (DPE) that is A-E you can consider a rent increase; F or G? No rent increases are permitted.
5. Get grants, subsidies, and credits
There are incentives to make your home more energy-efficient! Owner-occupiers can get transition tax credits (Cite), but landlords can be eligible for a reduced VAT rate of 5.5% for energy renovation work eligible for the Cite; “energy-saving certificates” from suppliers and subsidies from the Agence Nationale pour l’Habitat (ANAH). You can also get tax deductions on your (gross) property income of 15-85% and interest-free bank loans.
6. Keep it local
For energy renovation work use local companies and help your neighbourhood, but make sure they are certified as “RGE” (Recognized as a guarantor of the environment) or you might not qualify for one of the tax and financial aids mentioned above.
