The cost of fossil fuels is rising, regulations are tightening, and the housing market is undergoing profound transformation. Against this backdrop, a new reform of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is on the horizon for 2027, driven by the French government's desire to accelerate the electrification of the residential building stock. For millions of homeowners, this change could be a game-changer: properties currently penalized by their energy rating could benefit from a better classification, without any renovation work being carried out. Who is affected? What are the mechanisms at play? Here's what you need to know.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), a central tool in real estate transactions
What is the DPE?
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an essential document for any property sale or rental. It assesses a property's energy consumption and environmental impact, assigning it a rating from A (excellent performance) to G (very poor performance). Beyond its informative role for buyers, the EPC has become a key factor in determining a property's market value. A property rated F or G is now perceived as a burden, even a legal obligation, while a property rated D or better generates significantly more interest.
The primary energy coefficient, the keystone of the calculation
At the heart of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) lies a technical detail that is often overlooked: the primary energy coefficient for electricity. This factor converts electricity consumption into its primary energy equivalent, taking into account the energy required to produce and deliver that electricity to the dwelling. The higher this coefficient, the more a fully electric dwelling is penalized in its energy rating. This is precisely the lever that the reform aims to use.
A decrease in the coefficient that reshuffles the cards
A gradual but significant adjustment
In 2026, the first change took place: the primary energy coefficient for electricity was lowered from 2.3 to 1.9. A significant step forward, but only the first. A new draft decree plans to reduce this coefficient to 1.7 as of January 1, 2027. Over two years, the cumulative reduction would reach 26%, a sufficient amount to change the energy rating of a large number of homes.
This change reflects a concrete reality: the French electricity mix, largely decarbonized thanks to nuclear power and renewable energies, justifies reducing the weight given to electricity in the calculation of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The current coefficient no longer corresponded to the reality of the national electricity grid.
What concrete impact will all-electric homes have?
For properties using only electricity—heating, hot water, ventilation, lighting, and air conditioning—the reduction of the coefficient to 1.7 results in a 10.5% decrease in conventional primary energy consumption. Combined with the reduction already implemented in 2026 (i.e., -17.3%), these properties will benefit from a substantial improvement in their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating.
In practice, many homes currently classified as F could move to E, and those classified as E could move to class D. This is not a trivial change: it can be enough to remove a property from the category of "energy sieves" and give it immediate commercial appeal.
Homes equipped with heat pumps are the big winners of the reform
Homeowners who have already invested in a heat pump are in a particularly advantageous position. These systems, already valued by previous regulatory changes, benefit even more from the reduction in the primary energy coefficient. According to simulations carried out by Casam, in 75% of cases, installing a heat pump results in a jump of two energy efficiency classes. Combined with the 2027 reform, this improvement can propel a mediocre home to an intermediate, or even satisfactory, rating.
For homeowners who were still hesitant to take the plunge, these prospects provide an additional argument in favor of energy efficiency improvements. The leverage effect is real and quantifiable.
Concrete tools to anticipate changes
The Casam simulator at the service of professionals
Faced with these changes, real estate professionals need reliable tools to advise their clients and adjust their valuations. Casam offers a simulator that allows users to recalculate a property's future Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating free of charge, using only its address. This tool provides a clear view of potential savings, helps assess the need for additional work, and allows marketing strategies to be adapted accordingly. For real estate agents and advisors, it's a valuable asset for anticipating the effects of the reform now.
An official certificate will be available for download from 2027
Good news for homeowners: a complete new energy performance assessment will not be required to benefit from the new rating. From January 1, 2027, an official certificate of the new energy label can be downloaded directly from the ADEME's DPE-Audit Observatory. This simplified, quick, and cost-free process will facilitate the sale or rental process.
Regulatory challenges and European compliance
While the publication of the decree appears to be on track, the French government will nevertheless have to justify this choice to the European authorities. Lowering the primary energy coefficient requires rigorously documenting the data sources and assumptions used, in order to demonstrate that the coefficient of 1.7 is based on solid and verifiable foundations. This validation step could influence the final implementation schedule, even if current indicators remain encouraging.
A reform that is part of a long-term strategy
The revision of the primary energy coefficient should not be seen as a mere technical measure. It is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at decarbonizing the French residential building stock while promoting clean electricity solutions. By automatically improving the energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of all-electric homes, the reform sends a strong signal to homeowners: electrifying heating and domestic uses is not only environmentally sound but also financially advantageous.
This trend also reflects growing buyer demand for energy-efficient, sustainable properties that are less vulnerable to the volatility of gas and heating oil prices. In a real estate market searching for benchmarks, a good Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is becoming a key selling point.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform scheduled for 2027 presents a real opportunity for many homeowners, particularly those whose properties run entirely on electricity. Without necessarily undertaking major renovations, some properties could see their rating improve by one or two classes, directly impacting their value and appeal. To find out exactly how this reform can affect your property, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service team : our advisors are available to guide you through this transition.