France to adjust DPE energy ratings via electricity coefficient change

A new French decree will change the calculation of the Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique (DPE) starting January 1, 2027. The electricity conversion coefficient, used to calculate primary energy consumption, will drop from 1.9 to 1.7. This adjustment aims to better reflect France's decarbonized electricity mix.

Government estimates suggest this change will remove approximately 300,000 primary residences and 125,000 private rental properties from the “thermal sieve” (passoire thermique) category, which includes energy-inefficient F and G rated homes. However, critics argue this is a purely administrative change that improves energy ratings on paper without requiring actual physical renovations or improvements to insulation.

Industry groups like Coénove have criticized the move as a “regulatory sleight of hand” that obscures the real need for building renovations. Data from Hello Watt suggests that of the 1.8 million homes expected to exit the thermal sieve status by the end of 2027, over 1.3 million will do so solely due to these successive regulatory adjustments rather than physical works.