The 2026 DPE Reform: A Key Step for the Ecological Transition and Housing Energy Performance
For several years, the Energy Performance Certificate (DPE) has become an essential tool in the real estate sector. In 2026, a major reform is taking shape to strengthen its role in combating energy poverty and encouraging more sustainable renovations. The new DPE configuration, including an innovative simulator, aims to better understand the actual consumption of homes and anticipate their environmental impact. At a time when climate change is forcing us to rethink our lifestyles, this development appears to be a concrete response, enabling both professionals and individuals to align with greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. The recent signing of a decree in July 2025 heralds significant changes in the calculation and evaluation of buildings, profoundly altering the landscape of real estate diagnostics. The new-generation simulator, available free of charge, provides an accurate estimate of the future DPE, taking these regulatory adjustments into account. This tool, developed by Casam, a player involved in the energy transition, allows for a better understanding of the impact of reforms, to anticipate possible energy losses or gains, and above all, to undertake appropriate work to improve the sustainability of housing.
This rapidly evolving context, combining legislative requirements, technological innovations, and ecological needs, calls for in-depth reflection. The 2026 DPE reform is not just a technical change: it is part of a comprehensive strategy to transform the real estate portfolio. For owners, it represents an opportunity to optimize their investments, while for tenants, it could mean lower bills and a better quality of life. With this in mind, it is imperative to have effective, clear, and transparent tools to quickly assess the impact of the new measures. The stakes are high: better informed, both professionals and individuals will be able to take advantage of a rapidly changing energy economy. The rest of this article will decipher each aspect of this reform in detail, from the regulatory context to the concrete benefits of an innovative simulator, including its implications for the real estate market and the ecological transition.

The major changes brought about by the 2026 DPE reform: a new look at energy performance
The DPE reform adopted for 2026 introduces several fundamental changes to the way housing energy performance is assessed. One of the most visible of these concerns the calculation of the score, which will now be more accurate and more representative of actual energy savings. More specifically, the primary energy coefficient (CEP) used for electricity is undergoing an overhaul. Until now, the coefficient of 2.4 was standard for electricity, but the new regulations reduce it to 1.9, promoting better integration of renewable energies. This change, although technical, will have direct repercussions on energy classes, pushing more homes toward a more registered label, which can influence both the value of the property and its compatibility with future standards. The reform also includes greater consideration of small surface areas, often underestimated in the old DPE, allowing for better differentiation between high-performance buildings and those requiring rapid renovation. In addition, the new methodology emphasizes a more detailed assessment of housing sustainability. It is no longer simply a matter of measuring current consumption, but also of integrating renovation potential and expected energy costs. To achieve this, a dedicated simulator allows for a precise estimate of the future DPE, incorporating its new coefficients and criteria. This trend is not new, but the way it is now systematized, in line with the ecological transition, remains that each building must play its role in the decarbonization of the residential sector.
Measurement criteria
| Former DPE | Future DPE (2026) | Electricity coefficient |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 | 1.9 | Focus |
| Current consumption | Renovation potential and sustainability | Impact on energy class |
| Varies depending on the assessment | Progress towards greater efficiency | Discover the latest reforms to the DPE (Energy Performance Certificate) in France. Learn about the new requirements, the impacts on the sale and rental of real estate, and the measures to take to improve the energy performance of your home. |

Faced with the increasing complexity of new DPE regulations, it is becoming strategic for owners, investors, and professionals to have a reliable and easy-to-use simulator. The Casam simulator, launched in 2025, represents a significant step forward in estimating future DPEs. Accessible free of charge online, this platform allows for instant recalculation of the energy score, incorporating new methods and coefficients. Whether it’s an apartment in the city center or a single-family home in the suburbs, the tool can adapt its results based on the precise location, simply by entering an address or DPE number. The approach does not require advanced technical knowledge, which facilitates increasingly widespread awareness around the energy transition.
This simulator is also a good way to anticipate the impact of renovations or modify your work plans, particularly to target priority actions. For example, investing in insulation or high-performance equipment can quickly improve a home’s overall rating. This makes checking the future energy rating a breeze, allowing you to better plan your property renovation investments. Furthermore, with just a few clicks, you can interpret the results to maximize the value of your property or comply with new regulatory requirements, particularly those related to sales or rentals.
Features
| Benefits | Automatic recalculation of the DPE |
|---|---|
| Time saving and accuracy | Inclusion of new coefficients |
| Accurate assessment of future standards | Automatic location |
| Adaptability | Personalized advice |
| Optimization of work | Discover everything about the reform of the energy performance certificate (DPE) in France. Learn about the new regulations, their impact on real estate, and how they contribute to a successful energy transition. The challenges of the new reform for the real estate market and the sustainability of housing |

Professionals must also adapt to this new situation. Real estate agents, for example, will have to better analyze energy performance during their appraisals to effectively advise their clients and anticipate the future value of the property. The increased transparency, facilitated by the simulator, also reflects a growing demand from buyers looking for sustainable housing. The pyramid of challenges highlights a strong trend: playing the sustainability game will no longer be an option, but a requirement, in tomorrow’s real estate economy.
Impacts on the real estate market
Objectives of the reform
| Promoting high-performance housing | Reducing sieves |
|---|---|
| Better anticipation of upcoming work | Accelerating renovations |
| Improving transparency | Clear information for buyers and tenants |
| How to effectively use the simulator to optimize the energy performance of your home | To take advantage of the new simulator, you must first clearly understand your objectives: to accurately estimate your future energy performance rating, plan efficient renovations, or simply monitor performance. Several key steps can optimize this process: |
📝 Collect all the technical information about the home, including plans, surface area, insulation materials, and existing equipment.
🔍 Enter the address or energy performance rating number accurately on the platform to accurately locate the data.
- ⚙️ Analyze the results to understand weak points, then prioritize improvements or work, especially for insulation, heating, or ventilation.
- 💡 Simulate different renovation configurations to identify those that offer the best compromise in terms of cost and energy savings.
- 📈 Monitor the evolution of the energy performance rating after each step to concretely measure future or completed improvements. The simulator is part of a proactive approach aimed at making each renovation project a lever for maximizing energy performance. It’s also worth consulting specialists or certified companies like Casam, who support homeowners in their ecological transition through personalized advice.
- Regulatory implications and steps to follow to comply with the new standard
- Complying with the DPE reform beginning in 2026 requires a detailed understanding of the resulting regulatory obligations. The main one concerns the regular updating of property diagnostics, particularly when selling or renting a property. The new, stricter method requires that the future DPE reflect actual performance by integrating renovation potential. This entails a revision of the documentation to be provided to buyers or tenants, with increased transparency regarding expected energy consumption.
To simplify these procedures, several steps are recommended:
🔎 Check the validity date of the current DPE and, if necessary, have a new assessment performed.
📝 Use the simulator to anticipate the future DPE, in order to adjust your work or sales strategies.
📋 Seek guidance from a professional or recognized certification body to optimize the diagnostic and renovation process.
- 🤝 Comply with the schedule set by regulations for updating diagnostics in real estate transactions. ✨ Use the platform and tools, such as the Casam simulator, to understand the impact of regulatory changes on property values.
- By following these tips, every owner or real estate professional can ensure exemplary compliance while taking advantage of the opportunities offered by this reform, particularly by improving the sustainability and better energy perception of their properties.
- The concrete benefits of the new assessment on housing consumption and value
- The changes introduced by the reform also offer tangible benefits for occupants and investors. By opting for an assessment that integrates sustainability, the idea is to reduce household energy bills while increasing the value of high-performance properties. Reducing fossil fuel consumption and integrating renewable solutions lead to a significant reduction in emissions. The new, more informative label also offers greater visibility to buyers looking to invest in sustainable buildings, better suited to future environmental standards.
- Homeowners who have already initiated renovation work can use the simulator to project their future gains or validate their efforts. For example, an apartment renovated with insulating materials and modern amenities can see its rating improve, thus attracting environmentally conscious tenants or buyers. Simulations show that a home moving from a G class to a C or B class can increase its value by tens of thousands of euros, while also playing a role in reducing overall national emissions. Benefits for Owners and Tenants
Impact on Sustainability
🧾 Increased Property Value
🌱 Reduction in Fossil Fuel Consumption
💰 Savings on Bills
| 🌍 Contribution to the Fight Against Climate Change | 🔧 Improved Comfort |
|---|---|
| 🛠️ Increased Renovation Efficiency | 📊 Greater Transparency During Transactions |
| 🤝 Increased Value for Sustainable Investment | FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 DPE Reform |
| How does the simulator help me prepare for the DPE reform? | The simulator allows you to anticipate your home’s future energy performance certificate (EPC) by taking into account new regulatory developments and coefficients. It facilitates the planning of work to optimize energy performance. |
| What are the main changes to the EPC calculation? | The main modification concerns the inclusion of a new coefficient for electricity (1.9 compared to 2.4 previously), as well as an increased focus on renovation potential and building sustainability. |
How can I ensure my home’s compliance with this reform?
- It is recommended to conduct a detailed assessment using the simulator before selling or renting, and then to have all work carried out by experts to ensure compliance with the new methodology. What are the concrete benefits for my real estate investment?
- By improving the energy performance of your home, you increase its value, reduce energy costs, and contribute to reducing emissions, aligning your property with sustainable standards. Is the simulator accessible to all homeowners? Yes, the platform is open to everyone, with a simple interface, allowing most people to estimate their future energy performance certificates in just a few clicks.
- Source: www.journaldelagence.com