New buildings are set to become even more respectful of the environment with the forthcoming 2020 environmental regulations. Having reduced their consumption, they will now ensure their energy production.
By 2020, that's tomorrow, we'll be able to ask almost anything of our new homes, since they'll become virtually autonomous in their ability to withstand climatic variations, produce energy and even generate income. Designing it in accordance with the new RE 2020 - environmental regulations - replacing the RT 2012, will give it many virtues! Let's find out all the secrets of its design and the benefits of this construction.
The differences between RT 2012 and RT 2020
RT 2012
Building types: Low-energy buildings (BBC)
Uses taken into account : Cooling - Heating - Domestic hot water production - Lighting
Main elements taken into account: Thermal insulation of buildings
Type of consumption targeted: Reduction in equipment consumption
RE 2020
Building types : Positive energy buildings (BEPOS)
Uses taken into account : Cooling - Heating - Domestic hot water production - Lighting - Appliances and household appliances
Main elements taken into account: Thermal insulation of buildings - Energy production - Environmental footprint
Type of consumption targeted: Elimination of energy waste through intelligent consumption management
What will change with RE 2020?
The current thermal regulations, RT 2012, aim to reduce a building's primary energy requirements. This is the amount of energy required to keep a house running smoothly, with a ceiling set at 50 kWhep/m²an (kilowatt/hour of primary energy per m² per year).
To respect this value, a new building that meets the requirements of RT 2012 must take into account :
- the bioclimatic needs of the building (Bbiomax). Construction takes into account environmental impacts (exposure to sun, wind, etc.);
- primary energy consumption (Cepmax). This covers consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, domestic hot water production and auxiliaries (pumps and fans). Its value is
- 50 kWhEP/m²/year, modulated according to geographical location ;
- and summer comfort (Ticréf). Regulations stipulate that the hottest temperature reached during 5 summer days must not exceed a certain threshold. This ensures a high level of comfort without the need for an active cooling system.
With the 2020 Environmental Regulations, the public authorities are aiming to significantly reduce CO² emissions from new buildings. Primary energy consumption could be limited to 12 kWhEP/m²/year.
The aim is for buildings to use renewable energies and produce as much, or even more, energy than they consume. This is based on the principle of :
- the passive house, which operates completely independently and requires on average 4 times less energy than a traditional house;
- or the positive-energy house - BEPOS - which generates more energy than it consumes, since the materials used must promote the accumulation and diffusion of heat within the building.
Ideally, surplus energy can be sold to public electricity grids.
New equipment
A change in regulations designed to enhance the environmental performance of buildings. To achieve this, a number of devices will be added to homes, such as :
- enhanced insulation with brick walls or insulated hollow-core floors to improve thermal performance;
- the use of renewable energies extended to electricity production with solar panels or heating with heat pumps, geothermal energy or wood heating...
- rainwater harvesting and treatment.
While the RT 2012 takes into account five distinct uses: cooling, heating, domestic hot water production, lighting and auxiliaries (fans, pumps, etc.), the RE 2020 will require the use of more energy-efficient technologies.The RE 2020 concept of building use consumption is inspired in particular by our European neighbors and their labels, notably the German "passivhaus".
Small rise in construction costs
RE 2020 will be accompanied by an increase in construction costs compared to RT 2012. The square meter of a new low-carbon house is likely to be between 5 and 10% more expensive.
A BEPOS house will be more expensive due to the installation of renewable energy systems, reinforced insulation, etc. However, it will reduce the energy bill and therefore amortize the extra cost of the work.
What's more, RE 2020 will help combat global warming, which should also be a source of satisfaction!
The timetable
Groups have been set up, co-supervised by the Conseil Supérieur de la Construction et de l'Efficacité Energétique (CSCEE), to meet the following 4 deadlines:
- Summer 2019: definition of the method for the next RE 2020,
- End 2019: definition of the precise requirements of the BR 2020,
- 1st half 2020: publication of regulatory texts,
- 2nd half of 2020: entry into force of the RE 2020 in accordance with the Elan law.
It's a little-known fact, but BR 2020 is already being applied in France to the construction of public buildings. At the same time, the E+C- (energy plus and carbon minus) experiment conducted with volunteer developers has enabled us to refine the objectives and define the most relevant technical solutions for successful implementation.
KEY FIGURES
In France, the building sector accounts for 44% of national energy consumption and nearly 25% of the country's CO² emissions.
Christophe RAFFAILLAC