Real estate renovation work refers to all interventions aimed at improving the performance, comfort, or value of an existing home. Since January 1, 2026, the conversion coefficient for electricity in the calculation of the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) has changed from 2.3 to 1.9, which modifies the energy label of certain homes heated by electricity without any work being carried out. This technical change illustrates how much the regulatory framework now conditions the profitability of a renovation project.
New DPE calculation and impact on renovation work sizing
Before starting a project, the first step is to check whether the energy performance diagnosis of the home is still valid and if its result reflects the current calculation rules. A DPE carried out before 2026 with the old coefficient of 2.3 for electricity may classify a home in category F or G, while the new coefficient of 1.9 could elevate it to E, or even D.
This difference is not trivial. It may render part of the initially planned work unnecessary, or conversely reveal that the home remains classified as a thermal sieve despite the correction. Having the DPE recalculated before sizing a project helps avoid over-investment.
For homeowners considering managing the work with Immolabel, this prior verification allows for precise targeting of the areas to address rather than engaging in an unjustified overall renovation.
Energy renovation by gesture or scale: what has changed in September 2026
The decree of August 25, 2026, has profoundly reconfigured the MaPrimeRénov’ system. Insulation and ventilation are no longer fundable alone in the classic pathway. They must now be integrated into a large-scale renovation to qualify for assistance.
The operations still individually eligible are limited:
- Certain heat pumps, subject to performance and household income conditions
- Connection to a heating or cooling network
- The removal of an oil tank, often overlooked but subsidized
- The energy audit, fundable under conditions for owners wishing to plan a renovation pathway
This evolution changes the planning logic. A homeowner who wanted to insulate their attic and then, the following year, replace their boiler must now group these items into a single project to benefit from funding. Renovating in isolated steps becomes financially penalizing.
DPE schedule and rental constraints: anticipate before the ban
The energy performance diagnosis is no longer just an informative document. It now conditions the right to rent a home according to a progressive schedule. Homes classified as G are already subject to restrictions, and those classified as F will follow.
A property intended for rental must integrate this constraint from the purchase, not just at the time of choosing the work. Acquiring a home classified as F or G without immediately budgeting for the necessary renovation to reach at least class E exposes the owner to forced rental vacancy.
The common trap is to buy a property at a reduced price due to its poor label, only to discover that the cost of bringing it up to standard absorbs the discount. However, recalculating the DPE with the new electrical coefficient may play in favor of certain homes, hence the importance of checking before negotiating.
Co-ownership: strengthened collective obligations
In co-ownership, energy renovation no longer depends solely on individual will. Collective obligations are structured around dedicated financing mechanisms and multi-year work plans. An isolated co-owner can no longer be satisfied with renovating their unit: renovation decisions are now made at the building level.
This reality complicates planning for a rental investor who buys an apartment in an energy-intensive co-ownership. The renovation schedule will depend on the vote in the general assembly, not solely on their initiative.
Choosing artisans and coordinating the renovation project
The quality of execution determines the actual performance of the home after work. A poorly installed high-performance insulating material loses a significant part of its effectiveness. Two points deserve particular attention when selecting professionals:
- The RGE qualification (Recognized Guarantor of the Environment) remains mandatory to access public aid, but it does not guarantee the quality of implementation on its own
- Coordination between trades is the most underestimated factor: insulating before reviewing ventilation creates humidity problems, replacing heating before insulating leads to oversizing the equipment
The order of interventions conditions both the result and the choice of materials. A poorly sequenced project can result in an energy label lower than the target, necessitating costly corrections.
Project completion: the moment that owners overlook
The project completion acceptance constitutes the legal act by which the owner accepts or rejects the work carried out. Formulating written reservations at this stage protects against defects. Without notified reservations, recourse becomes more complex.
Checking the conformity of the work against the signed quote, testing the installed equipment, and visually inspecting the finishes before signing the acceptance report are concrete steps that avoid later disputes.
The regulatory framework for renovation is evolving rapidly, and the financing rules applicable today will not necessarily be the same as those next year. An owner undertaking a renovation project in 2026 has an interest in locking in their aid requests before launching the project, as the eligibility conditions for MaPrimeRénov’ tighten with each reform.
