The energy transition encourages companies to perform energy savings and improve their energy performance. The DDADUE law sets a legal framework by imposing an energy audit to be performed every 4 years for large companies in the tertiary sector. All tertiary sector companies, including the smallest, are also subject to the Elan law and the tertiary decree in force.
Energy profile of the tertiary sector in France
The tertiary sector is one of the sectors of activity that leads to the highest energy consumption in France. Together with the residential sector, it accounts for 47% of total energy consumption. Tertiary buildings use different energy sources as follows: 52% electricity, 29% natural gas, 12% petroleum products, 4% renewable energy and 3% from heat sold by the networks.
Since the introduction of the Energy Transition Law, all business sectors have been strongly encouraged to reduce their energy expenses. The tertiary sector is affected not only by the Elan law, but also more specifically by the tertiary decree, which precisely frames the actions of companies in the sector.
The energy audit of tertiary sector buildings represents a preliminary step in the implementation of a solution to improve energy performance, such as thermal renovation work or the installation of sensors analyzing the energy data of buildings.
Energy audit: an obligation for tertiary sector companies
The mandatory energy audit requirement, for businesses in the tertiary sector as well as in other sectors, is supported by a European directive of 2012.
Since 2013, this directive has set the conditions for the obligation. It applies to all companies with more than 250 employees or annual sales revenues of more than 50 million euros and a balance sheet total of more than 43 million euros over 2 consecutive years.
Companies with ISO 50001 certification are exempt from the obligation to perform an energy audit. They are generally companies that have chosen to implement an energy management system.
The energy audit of tertiary buildings can be performed internally by a competent member of staff, provided that he has the qualification issued by the COFRAC-accredited bodies.
La norme NF 1624 The NF 16247 standard
The NF 16247 standard concerns more specifically companies in the tertiary sector. It is the normative reference in force for the supervision of energy audits in the tertiary sector.
First of all, it indicates that the audit must cover at least 80% of the business energy audit invoices. It also establishes a common framework for all audits. The energy audit of tertiary sector buildings must begin with a kick-off meeting, continue with energy data collection and on-site work, and end with an analysis of the results.
NF 16247 includes 4 standards that concern all sectors, then the building, industry and transport sectors respectively.
The Elan Law
The Elan law is the second major focus for improving energy performance in the tertiary sector, after the energy audit. It sets an aim to reduce energy consumption by companies by 2050. Companies in the tertiary sector will therefore have to reduce their energy bills by at least 40% in 2030, 50% in 2040 and 60% in 2050, taking 2010 consumption as a reference value.
Making the most of the energy audit of buildings
Performing an energy audit is useless if it is not defined as a tool for implementing solutions and actions adapted to each business to improve its energy efficiency.
However, ADEME has noted that nearly half of the regulatory audits performed by service providers did not make more than 5 recommendations. A list that is far too short to really improve the energy efficiency of the tertiary sector.
However, a relevant energy audit of the buildings in your building park, followed by precise actions, can enable you to perform up to 25% energy savings. Choosing personalized support can help you make your investment in a mandatory energy audit profitable.
In addition, the energy sensors and meters installed in your buildings allow you to perform a continuous energy audit, to have access to a detailed report to allow you to adapt your energy uses.