Tackling energy sieves: the importance of carrying out an EPC

Energy sieves are homes that are energy-hungry, generally with poor-quality insulation, which leads to high energy consumption. In France, these homes accounted for around 15.6% of the housing stock in 2024, but this figure is falling compared with the results of 2002 and 2023.

How can this decline be explained? For several years now, the laws and regulations in force have been evolving to improve the energy transition and to tackle energy sieves. Since 2021, the “Climate and Resilience” Act has introduced several bans on renting out and selling homes that are too energy-hungry and poorly rated by the EPC.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

First of all, it is important to understand what an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is. It is a document that assesses the energy consumption of a building or home, along with the amount of greenhouse gas emitted. It was created in particular to promote the energy transition in the property sector.

It thus assigns the property a rating from A to G (from very economical to energy sieve) but also makes it possible to provide recommendations for the works to be undertaken in order to improve the home’s energy performance.

New buildings, older homes, flats, houses… All types of property are covered by the mandatory EPC! And although the term energy sieve is more often used for the residential stock as a whole, commercial buildings are also concerned.

Thus, EPCs are indeed carried out for all types of buildings: homes, commercial premises and establishments open to the public (ERP) such as nurseries, care homes, hotels, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and so on.

Above all, it is important to surround yourself with experts in the field of property diagnostics to ensure a transparent result.

The rental EPC: an essential document for landlords

First of all, it is worth recalling that for any home being put up for rent, a mandatory EPC must be provided. This must be supplied to future tenants. It thus makes it possible to present the home’s energy performance and to anticipate the costs that arise from it. It is therefore essential to have an up-to-date EPC when you wish to rent out your property.

The new standards and regulations in force encourage, but also require, renovation works to be carried out on properties described as energy sieves for both sale and rental.

As we have been mentioning since the start of this article, there are numerous changes to the legislation regarding the arrangements for energy performance certificates!

The year 2025 was no exception! On 1 January, a new regulation came into force governing rentals for landlords: all homes rated G on the EPC are banned from being rented out.

And this will also be the case for properties rated F on 1 January 2028 and for homes rated E on 1 January 2034.

Furthermore, the rents of homes rated F and G have been frozen since 25 August 2022. As a landlord, you are therefore not permitted to increase the rent on ongoing leases.

It is essential to have an up-to-date EPC for various reasons:

• Enhancing the value of your property assets: a home that is energy-efficient
  is a home that is more attractive to tenants,
• Complying with the legislation in force: thereby avoiding penalties, disputes and the possibility
  of extra costs,
• Informing tenants: occupants will be aware, in full transparency, of
• the estimated energy consumption within the home,
• Improving tenant comfort: by having a clear view of the works that can be considered
  to prevent all heat loss, and by highlighting the home’s energy
  performance
• Identifying energy sieves: because the EPC clearly identifies the rating of
  your home,

Let’s talk about this link between energy sieves and the EPC!

The role of the EPC in the face of energy sieves

Spotting energy sieves thanks to the EPC

It should be noted that in 2025, a home rated F or G by an Energy Performance Certificate is now categorised as an energy sieve.

These properties thus consume an enormous amount of energy for heating, air conditioning or even hot water production. They generally have poor insulation and very high energy bills.

The EPC makes it possible to identify properties that are too energy-hungry and thereby provide all the necessary works recommendations (insulation, heating, ventilation, replacement of joinery, and so on) to improve the home’s energy performance.

The importance of calling on a certified diagnostician

Only a certified property diagnostician is able to carry out an EPC for your home. At RITMODiag, we offer the services of experienced technicians who will provide you with a compliant energy performance certificate and recommendations tailored to your property to improve its energy performance.

Our teams are responsive and are available to arrange appointments at the earliest
opportunity.

Mandatory EPC: what to remember in order to anticipate the regulations

As we mentioned earlier, the most energy-hungry homes, described as energy sieves, are seeing their rental conditions restricted. By anticipating the upcoming deadlines (2028 and 2034), you ensure that you can continue to rent out your property and plan ahead to better enhance the value of your assets.

A well-carried-out energy performance certificate allows you to rent out fully legally but also to increase the value of your property. Obviously, an efficient home is a comfortable home! Cheaper to run in terms of energy, it will attract more tenants.

In the case of a sale, the EPC must also be made available to potential buyers of your property. It should also be remembered that the home’s energy class and its greenhouse gas consumption generally appear in the property listing.

Get in touch with RITMODiag to arrange an appointment

Would you like to call on a property diagnostics company to carry out your EPC? Contact RITMODiag right away. We make sure to offer you an appointment quickly in order to respond to your requests.

You can now request a quote by contacting our advisers or by using the contact form available on our website.

Sale or rental, homes or commercial buildings, we support you in each of your projects.