Energy renovation: how can you improve your projects with a tailor-made software package?

The effects of the 2021 Climate and Resilience Act are increasingly being felt by landlords. They can no longer rent out properties with a poor DPE; the bans by class are progressive (2025 for label G; 2028 for F; 2034 for E). Since 2023, they have been obliged to carry out energy-efficiency renovation work in order to increase the rent of their rental property. But if you need to renovate several parts of your home (roof, windows, floors), how do you plan the work of different tradesmen? How can you be sure that the work will be completed on time, to the highest quality standards?

What are the main energy renovation projects?

Visit energy-efficiency renovation involve buildings that have been described as "thermal sieves". The aim is to save on heating costs, with a dual objective: to combat global warming and lower energy bills. The projects are vast, and there's no time to lose. France is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Conditions for successful energy renovation of an old building

Buildings dating from before 1950 were not built to the same stringent thermal regulations as today's. Single-glazed windows and polluting heating systems (electric radiators, oil-fired boilers, etc.) give them a bad ecological reputation. Single-glazed windows and polluting heating systems (electric radiators, oil-fired boilers, etc.) give them a bad ecological reputation. 

However, the materials of which they are made (stone, cob, clay brick, etc.) are perspiringthat is, they allow ambient humidity to pass through. This property is essential to avoid the effects of condensation (mold growth). What's more, a material like cob has a long phase shift. In other words, the house stays cool in summer and retains its heat in winter.

Therefore, if you are renovating an old house, it is important to to preserve this natural insulation with wood fiber or mineral wool. Synthetic insulation materials, such as polystyrene or plasterboard, are less environmentally friendly and tend to retain moisture inside the home.

A house's insulation goes hand in hand with its ventilation. Perspirant walls absorb moisture but are airtight. That's why it's vital to carry out ventilation work ventilation work prior to insulation work to purify the indoor atmosphere.

Finally, a renovation project must preserve our heritage. Avoid concealing stone facades, adorned with sculptures or decorations, under ITE (Isolation Thermique par l'Extérieur). Avoid techniques not suited to older buildings, such as installing a heat pump visible from the outside, or PVC joinery. These precautions also apply to the interior of the building, to avoid distorting ceiling moldings or antique decorations. One technique that could be adapted to these constraints would be the use ofinsulating lime plaster (with hemp or cork).

The main interventions

The heat loss zones in a house are, in descending order : 

  • roofing (30%) because heat rises before escaping through the walls;
  • walls (20%) due to insufficient insulation ;
  • windows (15%) due to old wooden doors or single-glazed windows;
  • the floor (10%) because the ground conducts the cold inwards.

To remedy all these losses, it's best to plan energy-efficient energy renovation work in the following order.

Roof insulation is the most important job, but it all depends on whether you can access the attic. If so, you can insulate the floor with mineral or vegetable fiber panels. Otherwise, you can simply blown-in insulationThis means blowing insulation under the roof using a blower. If you prefer to insulate your roof from the outside, use the sarking with wood fiber. This is a more environmentally-friendly solution that blends in better than ITE.

This ITE is better suited to exterior wall insulation, thanks to the wood panels or lime-based or lime-based plaster (hemp or cork). Then it's time to replace the old movable panels with insulating doors and double- or triple-glazed windows. Of course, we mustn't forget to replace the old wooden frames to ensure complete insulation.

Finally, lay rock wool, glass wool or cork panels under the tiled or parquet floor. It is possible to blow insulation between a basement ceiling and a false ceiling, but this method may consume space.

What are the challenges facing project managers?

As you can see, a worksite of energy-efficiency of a building involves several trades: tilers ; carpenter ; roofer or plasterer. But managing these building professionals and their suppliers is tricky if they can't communicate directly via an application. According to a survey conducted by Sage in 2017, " just over half of craftsmen consider themselves connected.. " And, among these valid responses, " 71% of professionals use their IT tool [...] and 55% to locate worksites and appointments .. "

A risk of lack of coordination between teams

Work organization difficulties and poor communication poor communication between different trades can complicate their coordination. These unforeseen circumstances can have serious economic repercussions (penalties for delays) and human consequences (tensions between building professionals).

Managing multiple suppliers and subcontractors

According to a study by the Observatoire des métiers du BTP en 20223% of companies devote themselves entirely to energy renovation projects. Of these, 44% use other companies as subcontractors. Unforeseen circumstances can lead to delivery delays and financial losses. Your company risks a negative reputation if it fails to anticipate and resolve these contingencies with its teams and employees.

Constantly changing regulations

Building and civil engineering companies are obliged to comply with strict regulations on construction quality, respect for the environment and the health of those involved. Documents relating to invoices, insurance, VAT, legal notices, etc. must comply with current legislation. These are time-consuming, rigorous tasks.

These requirements change according to the needs of the moment. When it comes to energy renovation, your worksites must comply with the French law on Climate and Resilience which calls for carbon neutrality by 2050. One of the law's first deadlines is to carry out work on housing that consuming more than 300 kW/m²/year by 2025. In addition to this law, the government regularly adopts new measures to regulate the construction industry.

Why Techtime can help you make the most of your energy-efficiency renovation?

Techtime is an application compatible with all connected devices. It has its own its own internal instant messagingwith which the foreman can communicate at any time with his craftsmen. They can receive important information or last-minute alerts (delivery delays, unavailability, schedule changes, etc.). flexibility and availability in all circumstances.

Thanks to its integrated mapthe site manager can locate both suppliers and craftsmen. This makes it possible tooptimize everyone's movements and anticipate potential delays. This function also records the locations of your operations by day or by period.

We invite you to discover Techtime's other features for its Web application and its mobile application.

Our customers all agree that our product makes their jobs more profitable by a large percentage (up to 80%). Their teams of craftsmen are reassured and motivated. As for the manager, he improves his long-term production and his work/life balance. It's a win-win situation!