An energy renovation improves your home’s DPE rating, cuts energy bills and helps meet France’s tightening rental rules. The key levers are insulation, an efficient heating system, quality glazing and good ventilation. Here is what matters in 2026.
What is the DPE?
The DPE (energy performance diagnosis) rates a home from A (excellent) to G (poor). It influences a property’s value and, increasingly, the right to rent it out.
The main works
- Insulation — walls, roof and floors; the biggest single gain.
- Heating — a heat pump replaces old, costly systems.
- Glazing — double or triple glazing reduces heat loss.
- Ventilation — controlled ventilation (VMC) keeps air healthy without wasting heat.
2026 obligations
Under France’s climate law, the worst-rated homes are being phased out of the rental market: class G since 2025, class F from 2028. Owners who rent out must plan energy works to stay compliant.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still rent out a poorly rated apartment?
Class G homes can no longer be offered as new rentals; class F follows in 2028. An energy renovation restores the right to rent and lifts the property’s value.
Which work improves the DPE the most?
Insulation combined with an efficient heat pump usually delivers the largest rating gain.
Want to improve your home’s energy rating in Nice? Request your free quote.