Energy Performance Certificates A and B: why these homes have become the new standard
Since its reform in 2021, the Energy Performance Certificate has evolved from an indicative document to a real compass for the French real estate market. By 2026, owning a property classified as A or B is no longer just an ecological argument: it has become a determining asset in terms of heritage. This guide provides an overview of this paradigm shift and what it means for buyers.
The EPC in 2026: an enforceable and decisive ranking
The Energy Performance Certificate ranks properties from A (very efficient) to G (energy sieve). It takes into account two indicators: primary energy consumption (in kWh/m²/year) and greenhouse gas emissions (in kgCO₂/m²/year). Since 2021, the EPC is enforceable: a property owner can be legally held responsible for an incorrect EPC.
Concretely, a property classified as A consumes less than 70 kWh/m²/year, a B between 71 and 110, and a C between 111 and 180. Beyond that, classes D to G correspond to properties that are increasingly less efficient — even to energy sieves for class G.
For reference, certified Passive House homes surpass these standards, with consumption below 15 kWh/m²/year for heating alone. The RE 2020 requires new constructions to generally achieve a performance level equivalent to an EPC A or B.
Why EPC A or B becomes essential
Three factors converge to make A or B rated properties the new benchmark standard.
First factor: regulatory pressure. The timetable for banning the rental of energy sieves accelerates the progressive downgrading of poorly performing properties. A property classified as F or G gradually becomes unsellable in its current state, or heavily discounted by buyers anticipating future work.
Second factor: evolution of energy costs. With the structural rise in energy prices observed since 2022, a high energy performance property offers bills divided by two or three compared to a class D property. Over 20 years of ownership, the difference in costs represents several tens of thousands of euros.
Third factor: green value. Notarial studies now measure what is called the "green value": the price difference between two identical properties except for their EPC. It averages 6 to 14% between an A/B and a D/E property, depending on the regions. This premium continues to expand.
Timetable for the banning of energy sieves
The Climate and Resilience Law has set a schedule for the progressive banning of renting energy-consuming properties:
- Since January 1, 2025: rental of a class G property is prohibited
- From January 1, 2028: rental of a class F property is prohibited
- From January 1, 2034: rental of a class E property is prohibited
Concretely, by 2034, only properties classified as D, C, B, and A can be rented in the French market. This trajectory pushes landlord-owners to plan ahead and buyers to favor already efficient properties to avoid costly work. Other measures have also gradually come into effect, some of which are detailed in our article on what changed on January 1, 2025.
How much is an A or B rated property worth in the market?
In tight areas, an A or B rated property sells on average 5 to 10% more than an equivalent property classified as D, with comparable size and location. This premium can rise to 15% in regions where buyers are particularly sensitive to energy performance, such as Île-de-France, the Côte d'Azur, and major metropolitan areas.
Conversely, F or G classified properties face an average discount of 10 to 20%, and an increasing number of banks outright refuse to grant a mortgage for these properties without a clearly outlined renovation project. In this context, the current real estate market becomes an opportunity for buyers of environmentally responsible properties at attractive prices.
For heritage properties falling under the Heritage selection, the situation is nuanced: the heritage and architectural value can offset an average EPC, provided that a clear rehabilitation program is undertaken, possibly through a fiscal scheme like the Malraux Law or Historic Monuments.
Where to find high energy performance properties
A, B, or C rated properties form the minimum base of all properties listed on Sustainable Real Estate. It is the only French platform to filter its entire catalog based on this criterion.
For a targeted search, the sustainable label "Energy Efficiency" identifies properties surpassing minimum requirements — often classified as A or B, sometimes certified as Passive Houses or RE 2020 for new constructions. The selection covers all of France, with a concentration of efficient properties in regions that have adopted bioclimatic standards early: Brittany, Alsace, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Pays de la Loire.
Sustainable Real Estate only lists properties classified as A, B, or C. Discover over 15,000 environmentally responsible properties selected according to 7 sustainable criteria.