France has called on the public to cut energy use as a way to ensure that there is enough power to meet demand as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. France is aiming for lower CO2 footprint by funding various sustainability project to achieve reduced energy consumption as well as making their buildings more sustainable.
The most important French degree being the Building automation and control systems (BACS) which later became EU level decree.
Building automation and control systems (BACS)
In 2020 a French legal framework called Building automation and control systems (BACS) decree was introduced according to the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
The BACS decree applies to all non-residential tertiary buildings with heating or air conditioning systems, regardless of whether they are combined with ventilation systems, and with a nominal power > 290Kw. This regulation applies to both new and existing buildings. (explained by the EU.BAC). The aim of the decree is to increase buildings' efficiency by monitoring and analysing energy consumption, adjusting the consumption of technical systems according to needs, evaluating the energy efficiency of the building, and alerting in case of overconsumption.
To achieve this BACS represents all control and automation solutions defined in the decree as “technical equipment for space heating, space cooling, ventilation, domestic hot water, built-in lighting, building automation and control, onsite electricity generation, or a combination thereof, including those systems using energy from renewable sources, of a building or building unit’.”
Functions brought by the installation of smart sensors and actuators as well as smart software are the perfect solution to optimize any building and bring it up to date with the BACS requirements. MClimate end-to-end solutions are built with this exact purpose to control energy consumption based on the demand of the building, bring automatic control of the indoor climate and the air quality when in the same time are providing valuable data for sustainability reporting and future improvement. BACS specifically implies that “Individual room temperature controls should be installed for new systems (heating or cooling) and when heat generators are replaced (heating only). Typical devices would be TRVs on radiators.” The Vicki LoRaWAN® Smart Radiator Thermostat for example, is TRV designed with a specific focus on enhancing energy efficiency, bringing significant cost savings, and reducing the CO2 footprint across various building types. This is achieved through its advanced features like remote temperature control and innovative data analytics. Another MClimate device that is helping with improvement of the energy consumption is MClimate Fan Coil Thermostat LoRaWAN which is ideal for building retrofitting enhancing the energy efficiency and reducing the heating/cooling expenses significantly. Device such as the MClimate Wireless Thermostat LoRaWAN is giving a precise overview of the temperature and humidity of the room and require no maintenance as it is completely solar powered. All MClimate devices can be controlled by any BMS but the best software for them is one designed especially for managing buildings, namely the MClimate Enterprise.
BACS can improve overall efficiency and functionality, ensuring that the systems and services are optimized based on the demand of the building not just running automatically. The decree's impact on annual energy savings is estimated at up to 20.3% of all EU service sector building energy consumption, explained by the guidelines published by the European Building Automation Control Association (EU.BAC).
Bonus “Help Connected control of heating room by room” - Plan Thermostat
Could be in combination with MaPrimeRénov, and the Zero-rate eco-loan (Eco-PTZ)
The bonus finance partly the installation of programmable smart thermostats such as the MClimate Vicki LoRaWAN® Smart Radiator Thermostat to reduce energy consumption and lower the amount of the individual energy bills.
The program also aims to help an anticipated obligation until January 1, 2027 according to which is going to be obligatory for most of the French homes and offices to install an automatic heating temperature regulation system per room. The “Help Connected control of heating room by room” applies to operations initiated from December 1, 2023 and until December 31, 2024. The bonus is paid by the signatories (or partners) of the Coup de Pouce charter Connected control of heating room by room which are mainly energy sellers. The bonus concerns individual houses and apartments with individual heating. This bonus does not apply to collective heating installations.
The work concerns the purchase and installation on a new or existing individual heating system, having the function of regulating by time programming room by room, in accordance with the standardized operation sheet BAR-TH-173 “Regulation system by room-by-room time programming” in force.
What are the premium amounts?
The amount of financial incentive per equipped accommodation is established at the minimum value of €520 multiplied by a corrective surface area factor depending on the heated surface area of the accommodation.
Can the bonus be combined with other aid?
The “Connected control of heating room by room” Boost can be combined with MaPrimeRénov, and the Zero-rate eco-loan (Eco-PTZ). However, it cannot be combined with other Coup de Pouce bonuses.
This system cannot be combined also with aid from ADEME or offers from eligible players in the CEE system. The beneficiary can only claim one bonus paid under the energy savings certificate system for the same operation.
For the exact details on the program you should check the government website: Link
Zero-rate eco-loan (eco-PTZ)
Could be in combination with other aid from Anah, Energy Saving Certificate (EEC), PTZ for homeownership, MaPrimeRénov'
The Zero Rate Eco Loan (eco-PTZ) is an incentive system that helps finance energy transition renovation project of individuals by granting a zero rate eco credit. There are two types of zero-rate eco loans: individual and collective.
All French owners, occupants or lessors, can benefit from the individual zero-rate eco-loan and the conditions vary depending if it is occasional renovation, overall renovation or sanitаtion work. A syndicate of co-owners can also benefit from the zero-interest loan for their collective work project on the private areas or on the common areas and equipment of the building. Just like the individual Eco-PTZ, the dwellings must be primary residences. The loan amount for example for occasional renovation (not overall renovation or sanitаtion work) is maximum of €30,000 per accommodation and it must be repaid for maximum of 15 years. The work must be completed in full within 3 years of the bank's decision to grant the eco-PTZ.
For the occasional renovation the Zero Rate Eco Loan can be granted if the work concerned is related to the installation of a heating system that uses a renewable energy source. A global energy renovation project can also be funded but the energy saving work carried out in the home must make it possible to achieve a minimum overall energy performance determined by an energy audit. The work must make it possible to obtain conventional annual consumption of less than 331 kWh/m² in primary energy for heating, cooling and hot water production uses. It must also make possible an energy gain of at least 35% compared to the conventional annual primary energy consumption before works.
For the exact details on the program you should check the government website: Link
MaPrimeRénov'
Could be in combination with Zero-rate eco-loan (eco-PTZ), Renovation advance loan, other aid from ANAH, Aid for local authority works
Ma Prime Rénov' is the new financial assistance for energy renovation in France. The launch took place on January 1, 2020 by the National Housing Agency (ANAH). It is part of the ANAH's “Living Better” program which aims to improve the energy performance of existing housing by France.
MaPrimeRenov' is open to everyone regardless of income level and the housing is eligible even if it is more than 15 years old. The renovation bonus is also accessible to all non-occupying owners and co-owners. Landlord owners are also able to benefit from this system. To do so they must have rented accommodation as their main residence and must also commit to renting it for a minimum period of 5 years following the work. The work supported within the framework of MaPrimeRenov' must improve the energy performance and thermal comfort of the housing concerned. The list of works subsidized by this system is available on the website www.maprimerenov.gouv.fr. This must involve insulation, heating and ventilation work.
To benefit from MaPrimeRénov' Supported Journey, applicants must carry out a series of energy renovation works in their housing. The work must allow a minimum energy gain of 2 classes on the energy performance diagnosis (DPE). They must have an energy audit carried out before work and after work to justify the energy classification. The work also benefits from reduced VAT (5.5%).
For the exact details on the program you should check the government website: Link
“Help for efficient renovation of collective residential building” bonus (Co-ownership)
Could be in combination with MaPrimeRénov and Eco-PTZ Co-ownership - Eco-loan at zero rate Co-ownership
The Boost for efficient renovation of collective residential buildings (Co-ownership) bonus is awarded to carry out comprehensive renovation work in co-ownerships. The work should make it possible to reduce the building's energy consumption by 35%. To be eligible for the bonus, the work must be initiated (quote signed) before December 31, 2025 and completed before December 31, 2026.
The premium is aimed at the syndicate of co-owners who requests it through the co-ownership trustee. The co-ownership must be registered in the co-ownership registration register. The condominium must have at least 75% of the total heated surface area used or intended to be used as a dwelling. This work must make it possible to achieve a reduction in annual primary energy consumption (without deduction of the production of electricity consumed or to be sold) of at least 35%.
This reduction in annual consumption must concern the following installations heating, cooling and others.
The amount of the bonus varies depending on the offers of companies signatories to the Coup de Pouce charter. The amounts are calculated in euros per megawatt-hour (MWh) of annual conventional consumption of final energy saved by the renovated building and depending if it generates more or less than 50% renewable heat.
For the exact details on the program you should check the government website: Link
Energy boost bonuses
“Help” bonuses are financial aid to individuals awarded by energy suppliers as part of the energy saving certificate (EEC) system, to finance certain energy renovation work.
The heating boost
It can be combined with MaPrimeRénov' and the zero-rate eco-loan.
The heating boost helps finance the installation of efficient and less polluting heating systems.
The operations concern certain biomass boilers or wood heaters, heat pumps (air/water or water/water or hybrid), a combined solar system, or connection to a heat network powered by renewable energies. It is aimed at all households, owners or tenants, for a primary or secondary residence completed more than 2 years ago. The amount of assistance depends on the nature of the work and the individuals’ income and concerns work undertaken until December 31, 2025 and completed by December 31, 2026.
For the exact details on the program you should check the government website: Link
Helpful renovation boosts and Efficient renovation of collective residential buildings
It concerns owners of individual houses carrying out an efficient overall renovation of their real estate assets. The operations concerned are those initiated until December 31, 2025 and completed by December 31, 2026.
Under the same program is the Efficient renovation of collective residential buildings described above.
Although France provides multiple options for financing for renovations and increase of energy efficiency most of them are directed to the end consumers and less are to be taken from collective efforts. The establishment of funding programs specifically targeting the implementation of smart thermostats shows the overall direction towards more efficient energy consumption.
References:
- EUBAC - https://www.eubac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/eu.bac_guidelines_on_revised_EPBD_June_2019.pdf#page=6
- Prime Coup de pouce Pilotage connecté du chauffage pièce par pièce - https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F37655
- Éco-prêt à taux zéro (éco-PTZ) - https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F19905
- MaPrimeRénov' - https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F35083
- “Help for efficient renovation of collective residential building” bonus (Co-ownership) - https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F35779
- Energy boost bonuses - https://www.economie.gouv.fr/cedef/coup-pouce-energie
- Efficient renovation of collective residential buildings - https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/coup-pouce-renovation-performante-batiment-residentiel-collectif
