The energy retrofit, in the right order

Energy retrofit is the one subject where the order of the steps decides the financial outcome. A board starting from a boiler quote loses most of the grants; the same project, launched after an audit and written into the multi-year plan, funds far better for identical works.

1. 1

   Why the subject cannot wait

   The least efficient homes are gradually leaving the rental market, and the value of a lot now follows its energy rating. A poorly rated building loses value before any works even become compulsory.

   • The energy rating weighs on both sale price and letting.
   • The regulatory timetable tightens in stages, by rating band.
   • Waiting for the obligation means doing the works at full price, in a rush.

   Climate and Resilience act of 22 August 2021

   Poorly rated buildings: what lies ahead
2. 2

   The collective energy assessment

   This is the energy performance assessment of the whole building, distinct from each flat’s own. It rates the building and is the starting point for everything else: without it, you are discussing impressions.

   • It covers the building, not a single lot.
   • Its deadline depends on the size of the co-ownership.
   • It is voted at the meeting, like any other service.
   • Its validity is time-limited: check the date of yours.

   Article L. 126-31 of the construction and housing code

   The collective energy assessment and its obligation
3. 3

   The energy audit

   Where the assessment rates, the audit proposes: it prices works scenarios, their expected savings and their cost. It is the document the grant schemes ask for, and the one that lets a meeting choose between two levels of ambition.

   • Several priced scenarios, from the lightest to the most ambitious.
   • It conditions access to the main funding schemes.
   • Have it done before asking any contractor for a quote.

   Construction and housing code

   Energy audit and collective assessment
4. 4

   Technical survey and works plan: not the same thing

   The overall technical survey examines the state of the whole building; the multi-year plan programmes works over ten years. The first observes, the second organises. Both feed the energy project without replacing it.

   • The survey records the condition and estimates the works needed.
   • The plan phases those works and sets a floor for the works fund.
   • The energy audit, for its part, focuses on performance.

   Article 14-2 of the 1965 act and article L. 731-1 of the construction code

   Technical survey or works plan: the difference
5. 5

   The stages of a project

   A project that holds together always follows the same sequence: survey, scenarios, decision at the meeting, funding, then approaching contractors. Reversing the order — starting with quotes — loses the grants and the negotiating power.

   • Commission the collective assessment and the energy audit.
   • Put the scenarios to the meeting, with the net cost per owner.
   • Vote the chosen scenario and its funding.
   • Approach contractors once the framework is settled.

   Articles 24 and 25 of the act of 10 July 1965

   The stages of an energy retrofit
6. 6

   Financial support

   Schemes exist at national and local level, for the association as well as for individual owners. They change often: always check the conditions in force at the time of your project rather than a figure read somewhere.

   • Some grants go to the association, others to each owner.
   • Most require a prior audit and a minimum performance gain.
   • They are applied for BEFORE the works are committed, never after.
   • An approved adviser is often required for major retrofits.

   National and local schemes, revised regularly

   Grants for condo energy retrofits
7. 7

   The collective loan

   It allows major works to go ahead without demanding everyone’s full share in cash. Voted at the meeting, it binds only the owners who choose to subscribe — the others settling their share directly.

   • Voted at the meeting, subscribed individually and voluntarily.
   • It combines with grants, it does not replace them.
   • Compare the total cost of the credit, not just the monthly payment.

   Article 26-4 of the act of 10 July 1965

   The collective loan to fund works
8. 8

   Boiler room and district heating

   Replacing collective heat production is often the best value line, especially combined with insulation. Where a district heating network exists, connecting to it deserves to be priced in parallel.

   • Price the replacement alongside insulation, not after it.
   • Individual heat metering changes the split, not the consumption.
   • Compare a district connection on the full cost, standing charge included.

   Energy code and the act of 10 July 1965

   Replacing a collective boiler
9. 9

   Solar and local generation

   An available roof can host electricity generation, either for collective self-consumption or for sale. It is rarely the first project to run — it comes after insulation — but it complements one already under way.

   • Insulation first: generating to offset heat loss costs more.
   • The roof must take the installation: the technical survey will say.
   • Self-consumption or sale: two models, two different votes.

   Energy code

   Solar panels on a condo building