Since January 1, 2022, the new regulation for new buildings, RE2020, is gradually replacing the current thermal regulation RT2012 for all buildings. This new standard changes many things in the construction of your home, greatly improving its energy performance (among other things). Maisons SIC, a builder of new homes in the South West for over 50 years, explains the mysteries of the RE2020 house.
RE 2020: mandatory for the construction of your house?
Since the 1er January 2022, RE2020 became a legal obligation for any construction of an individual house whose building permit is filed after this date. This obligation is gradually being extended to other types of buildings, such as offices and schools (since July 1, 2022), and certain specific constructions since 2023.
It replaces RT 2012, which focused mainly on the thermal performance of buildings. With RE 2020, the approach is evolving to also include the carbon footprint and the use of renewable energies, marking a real revolution in construction.
Thermal Regulations (RT), introduced after the first oil shock of 1974, aimed to limit the energy consumption of new and renovated buildings. They have gradually been strengthened to meet increasingly ambitious environmental objectives. RT 2012, for example, required high-performance insulation and strict control of energy consumption.
RE 2020, for its part, extends this dynamic by being part of a more global environmental approach. It does not just reduce energy consumption, but also imposes low carbon footprint materials, such as biobased, and ecological equipment such as heat pumps or solar panels.
This regulation also requires that rethinking thermal comfortIn winter, buildings must efficiently retain heat. In summer, they must remain cool without excessive use of air conditioning, thanks to efficient insulation and bioclimatic designs.
The long term goal is to build positive energy buildings, capable of producing more energy than they consume.
RE 2020 paves the way for sustainable construction, adapted to current and future climate issues. Building according to this standard means actively participating in the ecological transition while benefiting from more efficient and economical housing in the long term.
What are the objectives of RE 2020 vs RT 2012?
RE 2020 marks a significant step forward compared to RT 2012, by broadening the construction criteria for new buildings.
While RT 2012 focused solely on energy performance, RE 2020 adds two major dimensions: environmental impact and thermal comfort, even in extreme temperatures.
To achieve its objectives, RE 2020 is based on three pillars:
- Energy performance : Reduction in consumption thanks to better insulation and decarbonized energies.
- Environmental performance : Reduction of carbon emissions linked to materials and construction.
- Thermal comfort : Assurance of a pleasant temperature in all seasons, summer and winter.
Unlike a technical guide, RE 2020 sets clear objectives without imposing specific means. Builders must meet criteria such as heating consumption of less than 12 kWhep/m², a minimum threshold of thermal and sound insulation, a mandatory renewable energy source (such as solar panels) and impeccable indoor air quality.
La RT 2012 imposed energy ceilings without regard to the origin of materials or CO₂ emissions. RE 2020, on the other hand, includes carbon footprint and the use of renewable energy, while strengthening insulation and thermal comfort. These two new criteria mark a real break with previous thermal regulations.
The RE2020 house is more economical, comfortable and environmentally friendly. Increased insulation ensures energy savings, while the use of bio-based and low-emission materials reduces the carbon footprint.
At Maisons SIC, we design RE2020 houses, guaranteeing environmentally friendly solutions adapted to your needs. Our experts support you at every stage to build a sustainable and efficient home.
RE2020 house: what new criteria should be applied in construction?
La RE2020 impose stricter standards for new construction, focusing on energy performance, environmental impact reduction and occupant comfort. Here are the main criteria that are changing under this regulation.
New reference surface and new Bbio parameter
RE2020 introduces a major change in the calculation of building performance.
The reference surface used is no longer the SRT (Net Floor Area), as in RT2012, but the SHAB (Habitable Surface). This change prohibits direct comparisons of performance between the two regulations, as the SHAB is 15-30% smaller.
One of the key indicators remains the Bbio (Bioclimatic Requirement), but its scope is expanding. It now systematically includes cooling needs, whether an air conditioning system is installed or not.
This parameter measures the quality of the bioclimatic design of a building, based on its orientation, insulation and natural lighting. For the detached houses, the maximum threshold is set at 63 points, a decrease of approximately 30% compared to RT2012.
This approach reinforces the importance of a optimized design from the early stages of the project, by integrating natural solutions to limit energy needs.
RE2020 house and energy consumption: a Cep which is evolving towards renewables
Energy consumption (Cep) takes on a new dimension with RE2020. From now on, renewable energies are favored, and consumption of non-renewable primary energy (Cep,nr) is the subject of a separate indicator. This encourages new constructions to use systems such as photovoltaic panels, heat pumps or biomass boilers.
For individual houses, the thresholds are strict:
- Cep : 75 kWh/m²/year.
- Cep,nr : 55 kWh/m²/year.
Another novelty, consumption related to internal travel (elevators, conveyor belts) and lighting of common areas in a collective are now included in the calculations.
Urban artist self-consumed renewable energy on site, such as that produced by solar panels, is no longer included in the Cep, which adds value to these installations.
By promoting clean energy, RE2020 not only reduces long-term costs, but also significantly reduces CO₂ emissions, capped at 4 kgCO₂/m²/year for individual houses.
How the RE2020 house takes into account summer comfort
With heat waves becoming more frequent, RE2020 pays particular attention to comfort in summer. The DH (Discomfort Degree-Hour) indicator replaces the old Ticref (Conventional Reference Indoor Temperature) of RT2012.
The DH measures the difference between the indoor temperature and a comfort temperature (26 to 28°C) over a year. If this threshold is exceeded, the building must be redesigned to improve its insulation or orientation.
The ceilings set are:
- 1250 DH for a detached house in extreme conditions.
- 350 DH for optimal comfort in case of heat wave.
To meet these thresholds, Manufacturers must integrate passive solutions, like the sun protection, intelligently oriented bay windows, or reflective materials.
Systems like adiabatic cooling or geocooling are also encouraged to limit the use of air conditioning.
Lower environmental impacts with the RE2020 house
One of the major advances of the RE2020 house is the consideration of the environmental impact over the entire life cycle of buildings.
Two key indicators can be used to measure this aspect:
- Ic construction : It assesses CO₂ emissions from construction materials, from their manufacture to their end of life. The thresholds are gradually changing, from 640 kgCO₂/m² in 2022 to 415 kgCO₂/m² in 2031 for individual houses.
- Ic energy : It calculates the emissions linked to energy consumption during the use of the building.
To meet these requirements, the use of bio-sourced materials is strongly encouraged. Solutions such as wood, cellulose wadding or wood fiber help reduce the carbon footprint while improving thermal performance.
Finally, the regulations require a life cycle analysis (LCA) of buildingsThis approach makes it possible to assess environmental impacts from the design stage, promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly construction.
Maisons SIC, RE2020 house builder
For more than 50 years, Maisons SIC has established itself as a major player in the construction of individual houses in the South West of France.
Founded in 1972, our family business has been able to evolve with market requirements and current regulations, in particular by fully integrating Environmental Regulation 2020 (RE2020) into its projects.
Maisons SIC quickly adopted these standards, proposing environmentally friendly and energy-efficient constructionsTheir expertise allows them to design homes that comply with the requirements of RE2020, thus ensuring their clients have sustainable and high-performance housing.
One of the strengths of Maisons SIC live in its teams of highly qualified professionals. The company hasan integrated construction team, made up of experienced site managers, masons, carpenters, plasterers and tilers. This internal organization guarantees rigorous and personalized monitoring of each project, from design to delivery.
Drawing on its half-century of experience and competent teams, Maisons SIC offers to its customers houses that meet the most demanding standards, while respecting current environmental standards. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes them a trusted partner for the realization of construction projects that meet contemporary energy and ecological challenges.
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Do not hesitate, contact us. for the construction of your future RE2020 house!
