Reform of the DPE 2026: what are the impacts for housing?

The Energy Performance Diagnosis (DPE) is still changing. As of January 1, 2026, a new calculation method comes into force. This reform is changing the French real estate market. It massively favors electricity at the expense of fossil fuels. As a real estate hunter, I see major opportunities and risks for homeowners. More than 850,000 homes will come out of the status of a thermal strainer without any work. It is an earthquake for the valorization of your assets.

A technical revolution: the new electrical coefficient

In 2026, new norms and regulations are emerging in the French legal jungle.

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Lowering the conversion coefficient to 1.9

Currently, each kWh of electricity consumed accounts for 2.3 kWh of primary energy. This calculation unfairly penalized electric heating. On January 1, 2026, this coefficient fell to 1.9. That's a 17% drop. In concrete terms, your home becomes “greener” on paper instantly. The State is finally aligning regulations with the decarbonized reality of our energy mix. For you, it's an immediate breath of regulatory oxygen.

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The automatic reclassification of 850,000 homes

The change to 1.9 changes everything for F and G ratings. Nearly 850,000 properties will automatically gain an energy class. An apartment classified G could become F. An F property could pass E. This means that they are temporarily escaping rental prohibitions. This is a victory for landlords of small areas, often heated by electricity. Attention, this does not reduce your real bills, only the administrative label. (Source: The agency newspaper).

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The free update via ADEME

There's no need to pay for a new diagnoser. ADEME will offer an online service to update your existing EPDs. If your diagnosis dates from after July 2021, you can download a new certificate for free. It is a simple but essential approach. It allows you to regularize the situation of your property before a sale or rental. Do not waste time retrieving this official document.

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Timing and constraints: the pressure is increasing

Since 2025, a countdown has begun for thermal strainers.

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The ban on renting G units in 2025-2026

Let us recall the facts. Since January 1, 2025, classified G accommodations have been prohibited to rent for new leases. In 2026, the pressure is on the rise. If your property G is reclassified F thanks to the reform, you win a reprieve until 2028. It's an unexpected joker. On the other hand, if the grade remains G despite the recalculation, the work becomes mandatory. The rental market no longer tolerates thermal sieves.

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First-line condominiums with fewer than 50 lots

January 1, 2026 also marks a collective deadline. All condominiums with less than 50 lots must have completed their collective DPE. It is a legal requirement. This document is the basis for the Multiannual Work Plan (PPT). It makes it possible to anticipate the overall renovations of the building. Do not overlook this point. A small condominium without a collective DPE in 2026 will see its market value drop drastically.

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The legal enforceability of the new DPE

The DPE is no longer a simple indicative estimate. It is fully opposable. If the letter is wrong, the purchaser or tenant may turn against you. The 2026 reform reinforces the reliability of data. Diagnosticians are undergoing increased checks. As a hunter, I systematically check the coherence between the diagnosis and the real condition of the building. A bad DPE can cause a sale to be cancelled or the rent to be reduced.

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Winning strategies for owners and investors

New strategies to get a good grade at the DPE.

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Priority to the electrification of heating

The government's message is clear: get out of gas and fuel. In 2026, installing a heat pump or efficient electric radiators becomes the most profitable strategy. This equipment takes full advantage of the new coefficient of 1.9. They make it possible to improve the overall score with controlled investment. It is the fastest way to value a property before a sale.

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Insulation: the essential base to last

Don't rely solely on mathematical calculation. Poorly insulated housing remains uncomfortable and expensive. The 2026 reform does not correct thermal bridges. To aim for classes A, B or C, external insulation or the change of joinery is still necessary. An efficient product now sells for 10% to 15% more than a thermal strainer. “Green value” is now a tangible reality on the market.

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Take advantage of MaPrimeRénov' 2026 grants

The state budget for energy renovation remains substantial. In 2026, the grants are focused on global renovations. If your home is still a sieve despite the reform, get started. MaPrimeRénov' and the eco-PTZ make it possible to finance a large part of the work. As a hunter, I often advise buying an F or G property at a high discount to renovate it. It is the best way to realize immediate added value.

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Discover our article “7 tips for renovating your apartment well”.

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Conclusion: Anticipate so as not to suffer

The 2026 DPE reform is an opportunity for owners of properties with electric heating. It brings a necessary rebalancing and saves thousands of homes from rental exclusion. However, it does not solve everything. The trajectory to 2028 and 2034 remains unchanged. Energy performance is becoming the number 1 criterion for buying, selling or renting. Don't wait until the last moment to take action. Download your new certificate as early as January 2026 and plan your work. Tomorrow's real estate will be sober or it won't be.

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