Building energy performance is no longer a secondary issue; it's a strategic, economic, and regulatory imperative. Whether it's an industrial site, a commercial building, or a public facility, improving energy efficiency reduces energy consumption and bills, enhances comfort and service quality, and ensures compliance with regulations (such as the French Tertiary Sector Decree and energy audits). What levers can your company or organization pull? Here's an overview of the most effective solutions.
Overview of energy consumption in buildings in France
The building sector is the largest energy consumer in France. According to ADEME, it alone accounted for 44% of national energy consumption in 2022, ahead of transportation (31.3%). In 2023, the main categories of the most energy-intensive buildings were:
- residential (28%) ,
- the industry (19 %),
- the tertiary sector (16%).
It is also a sector that emits a large amount of greenhouse gases, with more than 123 million tonnes of CO₂ released each year, representing almost a quarter of French emissions.
To curb this trend, the government has introduced numerous regulations and incentive mechanisms for individuals, businesses, and local authorities. This article focuses solely on the issues facing the private and public.
Energy efficiency in the service of building energy performance
Energy efficiency refers to a system's ability to provide a given service (heating, lighting) using the least amount of energy possible , while maintaining an equivalent level of final performance. It is therefore a key lever for improving a building's overall energy performance.
Consuming less energy to improve the building's energy performance
The first action to take to improve the energy performance of your building is to reduce energy consumption.
This involves:
- insulation of the building envelope to improve the energy performance diagnosis (EPC);
- the replacement of energy-intensive equipment with efficient appliances: heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), heat pump;
- the installation of a building management system (BMS) to intelligently control the building ;
- the implementation of an energy management system (EMS) to monitor energy consumption and successfullyoptimize energy in its industry ;
- the deployment of an strategy to prioritize actions (energy audit, schedule, metering plan, etc.)
Consuming more sustainable energy to optimize the energy performance of buildings
Furthermore, a building can improve its energy class by producing and/or consuming energyfrom renewable sources (solar, wind, hydro).
Several solutions exist for this:
- installation of solar panels on roofs or photovoltaic canopies on company car parks;
- deployment ofcollective charging infrastructure for electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles (charging stations or pre-equipment as required by law);
- recovery of waste heat (industrial ovens) to heat premises etc.
Powesco is a full-service energy services integrator. We offer a range of turnkey solutions to improve your energy performance:
- engineering : integrated design office and Energy Management platform (SEME) to improve usage;
- renovation of buildings: relamping, insulation, HVAC;
- Renewable energies : photovoltaic power plant, electric charging stations.
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Why improve the energy performance of buildings?
Energy performance is at the heart of concerns for businesses and communities because it has impacts at all levels.
Regulatory issue
The Energy Efficiency Directive sets targets for reducing primary and final energy consumption at EU level by 11.7% by 2030, compared to forecasts made in 2020.
To achieve this, the public sector is particularly regulated: it must reduce its total combined final energy consumption by at least 1.9% per year compared to 2021 and renovate at least 3% of the total floor area of its heated and/or cooled buildings each year.
Businesses are also subject to demanding energy efficiency regulations :
- The tertiary decree obliges buildings housing a tertiary activity on an area of at least 1,000 m² to progressively reduce their energy consumption according to a precise timetable;
- The BACS decree requires tertiary buildings equipped with a heating/air conditioning system with a nominal useful power > 70 kW to install a building automation and control system according to a very specific schedule;
- The APER law stipulates that outdoor car parks (existing or new, private or public) of more than 1,500 m² must install a shade system on at least half of their surface area.
Environmental issue
Optimizing the energy performance of your building also addresses the challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Indeed, under the Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) , large companies must report on their non-financial performance (such as energy consumption and carbon trajectory ). They therefore have a strong incentive to improve their energy performance to maintain an attractive brand image
Furthermore, a greenhouse gas emissions assessment (GHG assessment) is mandatory:
- every 4 years for companies with more than 500 employees in metropolitan France;
- every 3 years for State services, local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants every 3 years, public establishments and other legal entities under public law with more than 250 employees every 3 years.
Economic issue
Finally, an energy-efficient building is also financially. Indeed, with rising energy prices over the past several years, energy has become a significant expense. Reducing energy consumption therefore lowers bills and improves competitiveness.
Furthermore, numerous mechanisms exist to support buildings in their energy efficiency projects:
- tax exemptions : reduction of the CSPE (tax on electricity) or of the TICGN (tax on natural gas);
- energy bonuses from the Energy Savings Certificate (CEE) to finance your work;
- energy performance contract (EPC);
- third-party financing
Powesco pre-finances your energy efficiency projects in exchange for royalty payments over a period of 5 to 10 years , while guaranteeing the resulting energy savings or avoided costs. Act now, without waiting for available funding. Finance your energy savings!
