It is the energy efficiency that must prevail

Now, it seems natural to live in a healthy, energy-efficient and low emitting CO2 housing. But, when the installation of new means of heating Bill is presented, there is what be cool! The France account 31 million dwellings, of which 19 million have been built before 1975. At the time, no thermal regulation existed, not even in isolation. But the fact is without appeal: to divide by four gas emissions greenhouse by 2050, we must change without waiting for our practices. Where the implementation, since November 1, 2007, thermal regulation applicable to the former housing. This text sets minimum requirements for energy performance renovation and installation of new equipment. Insulation, heating, hot water, control, ventilation and lighting are concerned. A need to preserve the planet and achieve substantial savings in expenses the crossing.

The improvement or replacement of heating and hot water facility is part of this approach. This is all the more essential that these positions represent three quarters of a household energy expenditures. "After work, the cost of housing is greatly reduced, says the Ademe." He won in comfort and its market value increases, and sustainability.

Question how is. What heating system to choose What costs result in different equipment and what return on investment can be expected A return on investment which can also be considered in the long term.

Standards to be met

For who wants to change of heating, the easy way is to focus on electricity. Installation merely, indeed, a few radiators (wall transmitters, integrated into the walls, storage...) and therefore to fund relatively reduced for comfort in short very pleasant. But attention to the cost of energy, by far the most expensive. A facility which cannot therefore be envisaged with a very efficient insulation. According to EDF, "a radiator heaters about 15 to 20 square meters, but for larger pieces, several devices are needed".The cost can vary from 300 euros for the model of the simple radiator to 1.200 euros, even more, for the best performance and the design. Attention: "convector, radiant... shall be regulated by an integrated electronic device and at least four levels of functioning: comfort, reduces gel and judgment, prevents the Ademe.". And if they have other duties (/ h, dry towels, etc.), they must be timing. A label performance NF category C satisfies these requirements.

Same obligation in terms of regulation for heated ceilings and floors. Only disadvantage: high cost, of the order of 40 to 60 euros TTC per metre square (without the floating screed!). Either 200 to 7,800 euros for a House of 130 square metres.

Radiators, floors or ceilings heating stations also broadcast the heat from a gas or oil central heating. In this case, "the new transmitters cannot be less than that of the old", says Ademe. And, for a complete rehabilitation, radiators to lower temperature equipped with thermostatic taps are imposed by the regulation. Side boiler, be preferred models condensing, very efficient (from 15 to 20 of consumption and less) and that allow, as other equipment, to benefit from a tax credit (see box) that can greatly reduce the cost of the investment. Attention: standards are imposed for performance. According to Ademe, the performance of a boiler fitted a detached (23 kW) must be greater than 89. For more information about the required standards, which also influence the tax credit, better sift through tax (B 5 B - 26-05, 5,-17-07 and 5 B - 22-09) instructions. The cost of a boiler varies from 4,000 to 10,000 euros according to its performance.

In addition to the boilers, heat (Cap) pumps are very in vogue today. They both use the heat from the outside air, soil or water from a water table. Whatever the option, it must comply with a coefficient of performance (COP) equal to or greater than 3.3. For more security, better is worth to rely on the standard NF Cap. Only disadvantage, its high cost. Indicatively, air - water heat pump is low temperature between 7,000 and 10,000 euros for models and between 10,000 and 15,000 euros for models high temperature. Attention: air - air heat pumps are more eligible for the tax credit.

Think of the "renewable".

The wood is a renewable material. To be eligible for the tax credit, a wood stove must obtain a yield equivalent to 70 and average a concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) at a maximum of 0.6. It is better to rely on standards (NF EN 13240, NF D 35376, NF EN 14785 or in 15250) to identify more easily. Same thing for a boiler wood. Difficult to find. Reason for which it is better to go through a Certified Professional (Qualibois, Qualipac, Qualisol, QualiPV...).

As solar energy, whether it is solar hot water or electricity generation system (solar PV), it can cover 40 to 60 of the annual needs of a family in hot water. Which requires the installation of additional equipment. But which also allows to take advantage of a free and inexhaustible energy! A solar water heater equipped with 4 to 6 square meters of sensors and a flask of 300 to 400 litres storage is worth between 4,000 and 8,000 euros TTC. And if you want to produce its electricity, should know that 25 square metres of photovoltaic panels can produce the equivalent of the annual electrical needs of a family, knowing that a square metre produces an average of 100 kWh per year. Cost: 20.000 to 25.000 euros TTC, is included, a 20 square metres of panels.

Heat balance

"The first Council to give the individual is to know why he wants to renovate its facility, explained Frédéric Henry, engineer prevention agency quality construction." It is not only changing the boiler because she broke or window for the tax credit, as seen at this time. It is the energy efficiency that must prevail. "The answer is necessarily different from one building to another depending on its quality of construction, its geographical location. "Air - air heat pump, which takes the calories on the outside, is not necessarily appropriate." For example when we live in the mountains, where it's usually cold. If it wants to install a heat pump, a rocky soil does not appropriate either. Solar, the orientation of the House is an essential element. "Before starting an any equipment, it is imperative to achieve a heat balance by a professional. "See space Info energy sector is a good approach, indicates Stéphane Bernhard, of the Patagonia, information is impartial and issued by competent professionals."