RE2020 explained for a new home in France
France’s 2020 environmental regulation sets energy performance, carbon footprint and summer comfort for new buildings.
Since when?
RE2020 applies to permits filed since 1 January 2022 for houses and collective housing, since 1 July 2022 for offices and education buildings, and since 1 May 2026 for other uses including shops and hotels.
Indicators for a house
Bbio (bioclimatic need): 63-point threshold. Cep (primary energy): 75 kWh/m²/yr; Cep,nr (non-renewable): 55. Ic energy: 160 kg CO₂/m² (200 with a heat-network connection until 2027).
Construction carbon
Ic construction drops in stages: 640, then 530, 475 and 415 kg CO₂eq/m². Materials, structure and equipment all count.
Summer comfort
The DH indicator (discomfort degree-hours) is capped at 1,250 °C.h for a house, with a low threshold of 350 °C.h; up to 1,850 °C.h depending on climate zone. Orientation, solar shading and thermal mass are decisive.
Our approach
Our plan sets build in insulation (e.g. Isover GR32, R = 3.75), heat pump, ventilation and joinery from the start, and the RE2020 certificate is supplied with the permit and at completion.