Low consumption house: what is it?

A low-energy house (BBC) is designed to minimize energy needs in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas. The criteria were initially defined in 2005, with a label issued by the organization Effinergie. Since the 2012 thermal regulations (RT 2012), implemented following the Grenelle de l’Environnement, these standards were strengthened and became mandatory on January 1, 2013 for all constructions new individual. Each new building for which the building permit has been issued since January 1, 2013 must therefore be limited to a maximum consumption ofprimary energy (Cep) ranging from 40 to 65 kWh / m² / year depending on their geographical location (the standard also varies depending on the altitude). In the existing one, it is possible to obtain the BBC Effinergie label Renovation during major renovations.

The different standards

The different environmental standards have a common objective which is to preserve the environment, while guaranteeing the health and comfort of future inhabitants.

The low consumption building standard (BBC) is an official label for new buildings. According to French thermal regulations RT2012, the primary energy consumption of a low-consumption building must be on average less than 50kWh / m2 / year.

The Thermal Regulations 2012, replacing the RT 2005 aims to divide by three the energy consumption new constructions. It will be replaced in 2020 by the RT 2020 standard which provides that all new constructions are positive energy buildings and obtain the BEPOS label.

The label HQE (Haute Qualité Environnementale) has a dual objective: to reduce the impact of construction on the environment but also to improve the comfort and well-being of occupants. The HQE standard applies to new constructions or renovations.

Building a BBC house

To achieve this goal, efforts must focus on five main areas: hot water, cooling, ventilation, the heater and thelighting. The builder will also endeavor to properly insulate the building:air must be limited to 0.6 cubic meters per square meter per hour in the case of a single-family house, or 1 cubic meter in the case of a condominium. The choice of materials, the orientation of the house, the fight against thermal bridges or the distribution of glazing are also essential points.

Towards the positive energy house

In 2020, the production standard will be positive energy building (BEPOS), houses producing more energy than they consume. Builders wishing to go beyond the mandatory BBC standard can turn to intermediate labels, such as the BBC Effinergie 2017 which incorporates additional requirements concerning, for example, the bioclimatic design of the building, the air permeability of the building or awareness raising. of future inhabitants to the challenges of energetic transition.