From 1 January 2027, France is changing the primary-energy electricity conversion factor used in the Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique (DPE) calculation from 1.9 to 1.7.
The reform is confirmed by the French government's Arrêté du 19 août 2026 (published in the Journal officiel on 26 August 2026). It reduces the mathematical primary-energy penalty previously applied to electric heating, meaning that many electrically heated properties could see an improved DPE classification without any physical renovation work. Existing valid DPEs will not be invalidated, and eligible owners will be able to generate a revised certificate online through the ADEME observatory without paying for a new diagnostic.
For property owners, the practical question is not simply what is changing, but whether the new calculation changes your property's rating relative to the official French energy thresholds.
What is the DPE in France?
The Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique, usually referred to simply as the DPE, is France's energy-performance assessment for residential property.
It evaluates a property's:
- annual energy consumption (calculated in primary energy);
- greenhouse-gas emissions;
- heating, cooling and hot-water systems;
- insulation and thermal envelope performance;
- estimated annual energy running costs; and
- recommended improvement works.
The property receives a unified energy-performance rating from A to G, with A representing the most efficient properties and G the least efficient.
The DPE is mandatory when selling or renting a residential property in France. Prospective purchasers and tenants rely heavily on this rating when evaluating annual running costs.
For landlords, it has become even more critical because French rental regulations progressively restrict the letting of properties with poor energy ratings under the Loi Climat et Résilience.
What is Changing in the French DPE in 2027?
The central regulatory change is the electricity primary-energy conversion factor.
From 1 January 2027, the coefficient used to convert electricity consumption from final energy (the kilowatt-hours shown on your electricity meter) into primary energy (the total energy required at source to generate and distribute that electricity) will fall from:
1.9 → 1.7
This follows an earlier reduction from 2.3 to 1.9 that took effect on 1 January 2026.
The French government confirmed that this adjustment reflects the increasingly decarbonised profile of France's national electricity generation mix (predominantly nuclear and renewable energy). Under previous coefficients, electrically heated homes were mathematically penalised compared with fossil fuels like gas, because every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed at home was multiplied by 2.3 (and later 1.9) to determine its primary energy score.
What This Distinction Means in Practice
- This change does not mean your electricity tariff becomes cheaper.
- It means the mathematical formula used to establish the DPE primary-energy score becomes more favourable to electricity.
- Your electricity bills will not automatically decrease, but your property's calculated primary-energy consumption (expressed in kWh/m²/year) will be lower, potentially unlocking a superior letter grade.
Will My DPE Rating Change in 2027?
Not every electrically heated property will move to a higher DPE letter.
The reduction from 1.9 to 1.7 represents an approximately 10.5% decrease in the primary-energy factor applied to electricity. However, the DPE assigns letter grades (A to G) based on fixed numerical thresholds for primary energy consumption (in kWh/m²/year) and greenhouse-gas emissions (in kg CO₂/m²/year).
The effect on your property depends entirely on where its current score sits relative to the nearest classification boundary:
- Properties close to a boundary: A home currently rated F with a calculated consumption just above the E threshold (for example, 260 to 280 kWh/m²/year) has a strong probability of moving into class E.
- Properties deep within a band: A home situated comfortably in the middle or higher end of class F (e.g. 380 kWh/m²/year) will see its numerical score fall, but will almost certainly remain in class F because it will not cross the 250 kWh/m²/year threshold.
- Dual-energy and fossil-fuel properties: Homes heated primarily with oil, mains gas, LPG, or wood biomass will experience virtually no change from this reform, as the coefficient revision applies strictly to electricity.
According to analyses of national ADEME database records, the 2027 reform is estimated to adjust the ratings of approximately 1.8 million properties nationwide, with around 180,000 homes moving out of the F and G "energy sieve" (passoire thermique) categories.
Why the 2027 Change Matters to Landlords
The reform is especially consequential for landlords letting residential property in France under the statutory energy-decency rules (décence énergétique).
Under French residential letting regulations, minimum energy-performance thresholds apply on new leases, renewals, and tacit rollovers (reconduction tacite):
| DPE Rating | Residential Rental Status | Key Statutory Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| G Rating | Restricted / Banned | In force since 1 January 2025 |
| F Rating | Permitted until end 2027 | Rental restricted from 1 January 2028 |
| E Rating | Permitted until end 2033 | Rental restricted from 1 January 2034 |
| A to D Ratings | Fully permitted | Compliant with long-term letting standards |
Note: These statutory restrictions apply to primary residential tenancies (baux d'habitation principale). Furnished seasonal holiday lets and tourist accommodation (gîtes and meublés de tourisme) are subject to distinct municipal and national provisions, as explained below.
If you own an electrically heated rental property currently rated F, moving to class E under the 2027 calculation provides six additional years of rental eligibility (postponing the deadline from 2028 to 2034) without spending thousands of euros on immediate capital renovations.
For overseas owners and expatriates, this forward visibility is invaluable when planning tenant leases, investment portfolios, or eventual conversions from second homes to long-term lets.
What If My Property Already Has a DPE?
You do not necessarily need to pay for a completely new assessment.
The legal validity of existing DPE certificates depends strictly on the date the diagnostic was executed:
- DPEs carried out before 1 January 2018: Completely expired and cannot be used for any legal transaction or rental contract.
- DPEs carried out between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2021: Officially expired on 31 December 2024. They are no longer valid from 1 January 2025 under French government rules.
- DPEs carried out from 1 July 2021 onwards: These represent the reformed, fully enforceable (opposable) DPE and are legally valid for 10 years from their date of issue.
For any valid DPE issued between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2026, the French government has confirmed that eligible certificates can receive an updated rating through the ADEME DPE-Audit Observatory from 1 January 2027, without requiring a new visit from a diagnostician.
Should I Wait Until 2027 Before Renovating?
Not necessarily. This is one of the most critical decisions for property owners.
If your property currently has an F or G rating, waiting simply because the electricity coefficient is changing may not be the wisest course of action.
The 2027 change could improve the property's calculated numerical score, but it does not fix underlying physical defects such as:
- uninsulated roof spaces and unlagged lofts;
- single-glazed or drafty wooden window joinery;
- solid uninsulated stone walls prone to heat loss;
- outdated, inefficient convector heaters ("toasters");
- uninsulated domestic hot-water cylinders; or
- inadequate ventilation causing condensation and moisture buildup.
The sensible approach is to estimate the likely effect of the 2027 calculation first.
If your property is very close to a threshold, the new coefficient might lift it into class E, giving you time to plan improvements strategically. However, if the property is severely inefficient and will remain in class F or G regardless of the calculation, delaying necessary renovation simply postpones unavoidable works.
What Renovations Can Improve a French Property's DPE?
If your property remains poorly rated after the 2027 adjustment, energy-efficiency renovations will be required. The most impactful areas to address include:
1. Insulation
Insulation delivers the highest thermal return per euro invested. Key priorities:
- Roof and loft insulation: Up to 30% of heat loss occurs through an uninsulated roof.
- Floor and crawl-space insulation: Eliminates cold drafts from cellars and basements.
- Wall insulation: Essential, but traditional French stone houses (maisons de maître, bastides, farmhouses) require breathable materials such as lime-hemp (chaux-chanvre) or wood fibre to avoid trapping moisture in historic masonry.
For traditional stone properties in Southwest France, review our companion guide to renovating a stone farmhouse in the Dordogne.
2. Heating Systems
Replacing outdated electric convectors or oil boilers with modern heat pumps (air-to-water or air-to-air) can dramatically improve energy performance. However, heat pumps require appropriate electrical supply and sufficient building insulation to operate efficiently.
3. Window Joinery
Double glazing with thermal-break frames improves comfort and acoustic insulation. When upgrading windows in older buildings, trickle vents or balanced ventilation must be incorporated to prevent indoor humidity problems.
4. Domestic Hot Water
Modern thermodynamic hot-water cylinders (chauffe-eau thermodynamique) use integrated heat-pump technology to reduce hot-water energy consumption by up to 60% compared with conventional immersion heaters.
From DPE to Contractor: The Complete Verification Funnel
When moving from a DPE assessment to physical renovation work, follow a structured due-diligence journey before committing funds:
- Review the DPE recommendations: Check the specific improvement packages outlined on your official DPE report.
- Obtain detailed written devis: Request formal French quotations with clear breakdowns of materials, labour rates, and milestone payments. Review our guide on understanding a French devis.
- Verify contractor legal registration: Ensure the contractor has an active SIRET registered for the exact trade being carried out. Check our guide on how to check a French tradesperson's SIRET number.
- Demand valid 10-year insurance: Never allow structural, roofing, plumbing, or electrical work to commence without inspecting a valid Attestation d'Assurance Décennale. Consult our guide to Garantie Décennale insurance in France.
- Inspect the business profile: Assess their service area, verifiable customer reviews, and project portfolio. See our guide on what customers need on a local business profile.
What Does the DPE Mean When Selling a French Property?
When selling a residential property in France, providing a valid DPE is mandatory from the moment the property is marketed.
For properties classified F or G, a comprehensive Energy Audit (Audit Énergétique) is also compulsory and must be presented to prospective buyers before they sign a preliminary sales agreement (compromis de vente). Under current planning schedules, E-rated properties will also require an energy audit upon sale from 2025.
A poor DPE score does not prevent a sale, but it directly affects buyer negotiations, borrowing capacity, and perceived renovation expenditure. Understanding whether the 2027 coefficient will lift your property out of the audit threshold can prove valuable when positioning your property on the market.
Gîtes, Holiday Rentals and Tourist Accommodation
Owners of furnished holiday accommodation (meublés de tourisme and gîtes) must monitor local regulatory developments.
While the national residential tenancy restrictions apply directly to primary residences, municipal authorities in high-demand zones (zones tendues) and popular tourist regions across Southwest France increasingly apply energy-performance standards when granting or renewing seasonal rental authorisations (autorisations de changement d'usage).
If you operate a gîte or holiday letting business in Dordogne, Gironde, or Lot-et-Garonne, confirm local commune rules before assuming your property is unaffected by DPE deadlines. FOr more information on Gite and holiday letting read our guide Gîte Management in France: A Practical Guide for Overseas Property Owners
A Practical DPE Checklist for French Property Owners
- Locate your current DPE: Inspect the issue date, numerical consumption, and current letter rating.
- Verify its validity: Confirm that the assessment was conducted after 1 July 2021 (earlier diagnostics have expired).
- Check your primary heating source: Note whether your main heating and domestic hot water rely on electricity.
- Identify proximity to class thresholds: If your primary energy consumption is within 10% to 15% of the next classification threshold, the 2027 calculation could improve your rating.
- Mark 1 January 2027 in your calendar: Access the official ADEME observatory to generate an updated certificate if eligible.
- Plan renovations strategically: If your property remains F or G, obtain itemised quotes from verified local artisans rather than delaying necessary improvements.
Official Sources & Legal References
- Légifrance (Journal officiel de la République française): Arrêté du 19 août 2026 modifiant les arrêtés relatifs au diagnostic de performance énergétique (JORF n° 0197 du 26 août 2026, Texte n° 25)
- Service Public (Direction de l'information légale et administrative): Nouveau calcul du DPE au 1er janvier 2027 : votre logement est-il concerné ? (Fiche officielle vérifiée au 1er septembre 2026)
- Ministère de la Transition écologique: Cadre réglementaire de décence énergétique issu de la loi Climat et Résilience
- ADEME (Agence de la transition écologique): Observatoire DPE-Audit et simulateurs d'évaluation de la performance énergétique
- Regulatory status checked and verified: 1 October 2026
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