Save on renovations

Energy firms are obliged to obtain Certificats d’Economie d’Energie (CEEs), which prove that they are encouraging energy-efficiency.

Having work of an approved type done by an accredited workman means you gain the right to a CEE which can be ‘sold back’ to a firm in return for money off the work. Appropriate work may include insulating the roof or walls or installing a more efficient boiler etc. You can own or rent the property as a main or second home (or it may be a home that you rent out). The property must be at least two years old.

Speak to an energy company and/or go directly for a quote to an artisan with the RGE (reconnu garant de l’environnement) label. The site renovation-info-service.gouv.fr can help you to find an artisan (click: Trouvez un professionnel RGE) or to speak to an advisor about CEE (click: Je prends contact avec un conseiller).

You need to make an agreement with a firm before signing for an artisan to do the work.

EDF can offer a prime énergie cheque for hundreds of euros (prime-energie-edf.fr). Amounts may be doubled (or more) for low-income households. Alter­natively ask one of their partner artisans for a quote factoring in the CEE directly, with the artisan completing the paperwork (travaux.edf.fr/trouver-un-professionnel). Ano­ther firm, Direct Energie, said if you go via their chosen artisan it is possible to have insulation for €1 (email: CEE@direct-energie.com).