This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Francia, comprometida con la eficiencia energética de los edificios

It will require that the primary energy consumption is less than an average of 50 kWh/m²year

France, committed to the energy efficiency of buildings

Source: Invest in France Agency01/12/2009

December 1, 2009

According to the Agency Invest in France, the construction in France sector is that consumes more energy resources, of the order of 40% of final consumption and 20% of the emissions of CO₂. The decisions taken during the Summit of Grenelle de l'environnement, and in particular, the Act of August 3, 2009 (Grenelle I), stipulates that by 2010 all public or private buildings will have to be designed in accordance with the standard 'low consumption building'.

The standard requires that the primary energy consumption is less than one half of 50 kWh/m²year and applies to all homes from 2012. Also, from 2020, new construction buildings will have to respect the 'positive energy' concept, i.e. to produce more energy than they consume. For its part, already built buildings will have to be renewed to achieve a consumption between 90 and 150 kWh/m²year.

The French Government has created a tax relief/credit called 'sustainable development'.

To motivate individuals to conduct rehabilitation works in terms of energy efficiency, the French Government grants a loan to the type-0 with a duration of 10 years

In France, the industry of building materials today offers equipment and much more effective insulation products that they could achieved previously. French group Saint Gobain and Lafarge are two of the firms who lead this sector. The Danish Rockwool, the Dow American and German Knauff, developing concepts of environmentally-friendly houses with the environment are also present.

In addition, are two companies that differ by their real innovations: the Imerys group, specialized in construction of solar panels, and the German group Viesmann, producer of solar cells in France.

In France, the industry of building materials today offers equipment and much more effective insulation products that they could achieved previously.

In addition, to motivate individuals to conduct rehabilitation works in terms of energy efficiency, the French Government gives an ecological loan to the type-0 with a duration of 10 years, allowing the financing of up to 30,000 euros. Similarly, it has created a tax relief/credit called 'sustainable development', which guarantees to taxpayers the return of a part of the expenditure for the acquisition of equipment and material of high energy efficiency of their residence (deduction)(: between 15% and 50% depending on the equipment).

On the other hand, 'book of savings sustainable development', tax-free, will help raise more than 10 million euros to finance the investment loans, guaranteed by the Bank, in partnership with the Ademe (French Agency for environment and energy management). To qualify for this aid must be met to some requirements, and that the building is in compliance with the standards (building of low or very high energy performance). In addition, applies it only 5.5% VAT, and even if all the conditions are met, you may receive funds from the regional authorities and the national housing agency.

OPINIÓN