RT 2005 (Réglementation Thermique 2005 – regulations governing house energy consumption levels) :

 
RT 2005 aims to achieve a more efficient use of energy in buildings by reducing new-build house energy consumption levels by at least 15% compared with the benchmark set by RT 2000 regulations.

 
RT 2005 regulations apply to all new-build houses for which an application for a building permit was lodged on or after 01/09/06.

All buildings must meet minimum standards in terms of energy efficiency in the following areas:

• Heating
• Air conditioning
• Domestic hot water
• Ventilation
• Lightingli>

The building type is also taken into account in estimating heat loss :

• Floors
• Walls
• Ceilings
• Door and window fittings

The RT 2005 regulations encourage the use of:

• Renewable energy sources (solar power etc)
• Bioclimatic architecture (geographical orientation)

A thermal efficiency study and the diagnostic de performance énergétique (DPE - energy efficiency rating assessment) must be provided by law.

The RT 2012 (Règlementation Thermique 2012) regulations:

The Ministry for the Environment, Energy, Sustainable Development and Town and Country Planning is currently working on the regulations that will be applied to house heating energy efficiency from 2012 on, replacing RT 2005 and leading to improvements in the energy efficiency of new construction projects.

The DPE (energy efficiency rating assessment)

The energy efficiency rating assessment’s objective is to inform the future occupant of a property of this property’s energy consumption levels and to detail simple energy saving measures that can be implemented.

There is a whole raft of measures that cost nothing or practically nothing to implement and which will enable you to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These measures centre on :

• Heating
• Air conditioning
• Domestic hot water
• Ventilation
• Lighting

Label HPE 2005 quality label (Haute Performance Energétique – High energy performance) :

This is awarded for a nominal energy consumption level that is 10% lower than that of the benchmark nominal energy consumption level stipulated in RT 2005 regulations.
 
Label THPE 2005 quality label (Très Haute Performance Energétique – Very High energy performance):

This is awarded for a nominal energy consumption level that is 20% lower than that of the benchmark nominal energy consumption level stipulated in RT 2005 regulations.

Label BBC 2005 quality label (Basse Consommation Energétique – Low energy consumption):

The BBC 2005 quality label aims for energy consumption levels that are considerably lower than the levels currently required by the law:

The quality label requirement is set at 50kWh of primary energy consumed per m² per year. This covers energy consumption for all purposes (heating, cooling; domestic hot water production, ventilation and lighting) and varies depending on the climatic zone as defined by RT 2005 and the height above sea level of the building.