Designed to help reduce our energy consumption and finance the ecological transition on a national scale, the energy savings certificates (CEE) system is issued by energy suppliers (gas, fuel oil, electricity, etc.). It requires them to actively promote energy efficiency to their customers and offer assistance to finance their energy renovation project. In addition to MaPrimeRénov’, they can benefit from the CEE bonus if their work has been valued beforehand. Follow the guide to fully understand the CEE system and the steps to obtain their valuation.
Created in 2006 after the POPE law came into force, the energy saving certificates (CEE) system aims to encourage the modernization of the French real estate portfolio. It requires all suppliers of electricity, gas or LPG, domestic fuel oil, heat and cold to promote energy efficiency to their customers. But that’s not all… These suppliers are also required to offer financial aid to individuals, communities and businesses for the energy renovation of buildings. Let’s take a closer look at how this system works.
Energy saving certificates under the microscope
In France, as part of the “polluter pays” policy, energy suppliers, known as “obligated parties”, are required to make energy savings. To do this, several solutions are available to them:
- Optimize the energy consumption of their own premises and installations;
- Encourage their customers to renovate their real estate through awareness-raising and bonuses to finance energy-saving actions, such as thermal insulation work for example;
- Directly purchase CEE from eligible so-called “non-obligated” actors (equipment suppliers or installers) or entrust their obligations to delegated companies.
CEEs are issued in exchange for several types of actions, the main one being the completion of energy performance improvement work. Obligated parties can also receive CEEs if they finance training, innovation or information programs in this area. Their objective is to reach the number of CEEs established by the State based on their sales, set for periods of three years. An obligated party who does not collect enough CEEs at the end of the three-year period is required to pay penalties.
The calculation of the amount of CEE depends on several criteria:
- The type of work carried out;
- The geographical area of the property concerned;
- The characteristics of the accommodation (apartment or house, surface area, etc.);
- The choice of the operator (the obligated party or the delegate) who values the CEE generated by the craftsmen.
Pour housing managers (trustees, real estate agents, property managers, etc.), CEEs represent a real boon. Indeed, they make it easier to finance work to improve the energy performance of their buildings. Co-owners thus see their energy bills drop, as well as all the charges of the co-ownership, all without having to invest in major work. For example, simple insulation of the attic can prevent up to 30% of heat loss, which avoids waste and unnecessary expenses.
How to value CEE to obtain the bonus?
To receive the CEE bonus, the project must not have already been completed. In fact, energy saving work must be valued in advance. Here are the steps required to value these CEE:
- Carrying out studies prior to the work to ensure that the project meets the eligibility conditions for the CEE bonus (efficiency of the heating system, thermal resistance of the insulation, etc.);
- Craftsmen (installers, equipment suppliers, etc.) cannot use the CEE in their own name; they must form a partnership with an obligated party or delegate. Only after this agreement can the work begin;
- The transmission by the craftsman of supporting documents (invoices, sworn statements, etc.) to the obligated party or delegate in order to complete the file;
- Validation of the complete file by the national center;
- The release by the obligated party or its delegate of the CEE amount allocated to the project. The valuation of the CEE is then paid within 30 days.
To ensure that you receive all the assistance to which you are entitled, and to understand all the subtleties of the CEE system, we advise you to seek help from an expert like Hellio.
Recently, This energy efficiency expert supported a trustee in the overall renovation of a condominium in Fontenay-sous-Bois. The latter obtained more aid than expected for the financing of the work thanks to Hellio’s support, including a CEE bonus of 185,000 euros. If we add it to MaPrimeRénov’, the subsidies amount to more than 58% of the total cost of the work estimated at 570,000 euros. As for the amount paid per dwelling, it went from 12,600 euros to 5,200 euros thanks to the various aids. The building’s energy consumption was divided by 2.6 and greenhouse gas emissions by 6.5. A winning operation for all parties!
This content was created in partnership with Hellio. The editorial team of BFM IMMO did not participate in the creation of this content.