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Since its introduction in its modernized form, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has profoundly changed how owners and buyers view housing. But now, a new reform, scheduled for January 1, 2026, is poised to significantly reshuffle the deck, particularly for millions of homes heated by electricity.
A calculation that penalized electric vehicles
To understand the implications of this reform, it is necessary to revisit a fundamental technical concept: the conversion factor of final energy to primary energy. Previously set at 2.3 for electricity, this coefficient meant that each kilowatt-hour consumed in a household was counted as 2.3 kWh of primary energy in the calculation of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in Loix or elsewhere. In other words, an apartment heated with an electric convector heater was heavily penalized, sometimes classified as F even though its actual consumption remained moderate.
This mechanism, inherited from a time when the French electricity mix was approached differently, led to aberrations that real estate professionals had been deploring for several years.
What changes when you go from 2.3 to 1.9
From January 1, 2026, this conversion factor will decrease to 1.9. This drop of four-tenths may seem modest, but its effects on energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings will be considerable. Many homes heated by electricity could thus improve by one or even two energy classes without any renovation work being carried out.
For owners of properties rated F or G solely due to electric heating, this correction represents a real breath of fresh air. It could allow them to avoid the rental ban that is gradually affecting energy-inefficient properties, and therefore keep their property on the rental market.
Anticipate to better position yourself
This reform encourages every homeowner to plan ahead now by simulating the impact of the new coefficient on their property's energy rating. In a market where the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) directly influences market value and rental potential, improving your energy rating without spending a penny represents a rare opportunity that would be a shame to miss.
