RE2020

The Réglementation Environnementale 2020 (RE2020) is a French standard designed to tighten energy and environmental performance requirements for new buildings. It succeeds the Réglementation Thermique 2012 (RT2012) and is in line with France's commitments to reduce its carbon footprint and combat climate change. RE2020 introduces stricter criteria for energy consumption, thermal comfort and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

RE2020 objectives

RE2020 has several key objectives for transforming the construction sector in France:

1. Reducing energy consumption The standard aims to reduce the energy consumption of new buildings, by incorporating higher energy performance requirements.
2. Improving thermal comfort The emphasis is on thermal comfort, both in winter and summer, to ensure a pleasant, healthy living environment for occupants.
3. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions RE2020 aims to reduce CO2 emissions from new buildings by promoting the use of materials and technologies with low environmental impact.
4. Promoting the Circular Economy The standard encourages the use of recyclable materials and the sustainable management of resources throughout the building's life cycle.

Principles of RE2020

The RE2020 is based on several fundamental principles to ensure the sustainability of buildings:

1. Energy Efficiency Buildings must be designed to minimize primary energy consumption, incorporating both passive (insulation, orientation, ventilation) and active (efficient heating, cooling, lighting) solutions.
2. Carbon footprint The standard requires an assessment of the carbon footprint of buildings, taking into account CO2 emissions linked to construction, operation and end-of-life.
3. Summer Comfort The RE2020 introduces specific requirements to limit overheating in summer, by encouraging appropriate design solutions (solar protection, thermal inertia, natural ventilation).
4. Renewable Energies The standard encourages the integration of renewable energies (solar, biomass, geothermal) to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improve the energy autonomy of buildings.

RE2020 Technical Requirements

The RE2020 imposes specific technical requirements to guarantee the energy and environmental performance of new buildings:

1. Bioclimatic requirement (Bbio) This indicator measures the intrinsic energy efficiency of the building, independently of the energy systems used. It takes into account insulation, ventilation, natural lighting and orientation.
2. Primary Energy Consumption (Cep) The RE2020 sets maximum primary energy consumption thresholds for new buildings, including heating, cooling, domestic hot water, lighting and auxiliaries.
3. Carbon (C) The standard imposes a ceiling on greenhouse gas emissions for new buildings, measured in kgCO2/m²/year. This includes emissions linked to the entire building life cycle, from construction to deconstruction.
4. Summer Comfort (DH) RE2020 introduces the degree-hours (DH) indicator to assess summer comfort, by limiting periods of overheating inside buildings.

Implementing RE2020

Implementing the RE2020 requires an integrated, collaborative approach between the various players in the construction sector:

1. Design and Planning Architects and engineers must integrate RE2020 requirements right from the design phase, by adopting bioclimatic solutions and optimizing the project's energy and environmental performance.
   • Bioclimatic analysis Energy efficiency: Study building layout, orientation, solar shading and thermal inertia to maximize free energy gain (sunlight, natural ventilation) and minimize energy requirements.
   • Dynamic Thermal Simulation Use simulation tools to assess and optimize energy performance and thermal comfort in buildings.
2. Choice of Materials and Techniques Select low-impact building materials and energy-efficient technologies.
   • Sustainable Materials Use local, recyclable materials with a low carbon footprint (wood, low-carbon concrete, bio-sourced insulation).
   • Innovative Technologies The new building: Incorporate efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, as well as equipment using renewable energies (solar panels, heat pumps, etc.).
3. Monitoring and control Set up monitoring and control mechanisms to ensure that RE2020 requirements are met throughout the project.
   • Commissioning : Commission technical systems to ensure their proper operation and energy performance.
   • Measurement and Verification Install devices for measuring and monitoring energy consumption and indoor comfort conditions.
4. Awareness and Training Training and raising awareness of RE2020 requirements among construction industry professionals.
   • Training Programs Develop training programs for architects, engineers, contractors and craftsmen.
   • Raising awareness among project owners To inform project owners of the benefits of RE2020 and support them in implementing compliant projects.

How Phishia supports you in RE2020

Phishia, a consulting firm specializing in safety and sustainability, offers comprehensive support in implementing the RE2020 in your construction projects. Drawing on our expertise in environmental analysis and energy management, we help owners, architects and engineers to meet the stringent requirements of this new regulation while optimizing the performance of their buildings.

Our support services

1. Initial Diagnosis and Bioclimatic Analysis : We carry out an initial diagnosis of your project to identify opportunities for energy and environmental improvements. Our bioclimatic analysis takes into account the building's layout, orientation, solar protection and thermal inertia, in order to maximize free solar gain and minimize energy requirements.
2. Energy-Efficient Design Consulting Our experts work with you right from the design phase to integrate bioclimatic solutions and energy-efficient technologies. We advise you on the choice of sustainable materials, such as bio-sourced insulation and low-carbon materials, and on the adoption of efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
3. Dynamic Thermal Simulation and Optimization We use dynamic thermal simulation tools to evaluate and optimize the energy performance and thermal comfort of your project. These simulations enable us to test different configurations and choose the most efficient solutions.
4. Awareness and Training Phishia offers customized training programs for professionals in the construction industry. We train architects, engineers, contractors and craftsmen in the requirements of RE2020 and best practices in sustainable construction.
5. Compliance monitoring and control We set up monitoring and control mechanisms to ensure that your project meets the requirements of the RE2020. This includes commissioning technical systems and installing devices to measure and monitor energy consumption and indoor comfort conditions.
6. Personalized support Every project is unique, and our personalized approach ensures that the solutions we propose are perfectly tailored to your specific needs. We work closely with your teams to ensure that RE2020 requirements are seamlessly integrated into your project.

By choosing Phishia to support you in RE2020, you benefit from our multidisciplinary expertise and our commitment to sustainable building practices. We'll help you meet the challenges of these new regulations and create buildings that are efficient, comfortable and respectful of the environment.