Correction adds flowchart for zero-emission housing

A correction published in the Official Journal on October 31, 2026, complements the decree regulating the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) applicable in 2027. The correction restores a flowchart that guides the assignment of the "A0" label to zero-emission housing, a designation used to identify buildings that meet strict zero-emission standards.

Flowchart clarifies decision process

The correction concerns a flowchart, which is a decision tree that professionals must follow to determine if the "A0" label can be applied. The underlying criteria were already included in the initial decree, published on August 13, 2026; the correction restores their graphical representation, which was omitted in the original publication.

Criteria for zero-emission housing

For diagnoses carried out according to the 3CL-DPE 2021 method, the text first requires an energy label A or B. It then requires that the energies used exclusively relate to on-site or nearby renewable sources, electricity, or an efficient heating or cooling network. No heating or hot water production installation should be able to use fossil fuels on-site or nearby.

Flowchart distinguishes heating network connections

The restored flowchart allows, among other things, to distinguish homes not connected to a heating network from those that are: in the second case, the network's qualification intervenes in the decision. Diagnoses carried out according to another regulatory method, provided for in Annex 14 of the 2021 decree, follow specific performance criteria, to which the energy source requirements are added.

A0 label is supplementary, not a replacement

The "A0" label is a complementary mention on the label and not a replacement for the usual scale from A to G. The specialized regulatory monitoring MonSuiviDiag notes that the correction does not change the implementation date of the decree.

Correction targets professionals in the field

The original text explicitly targets real estate diagnosticians, their certification organizations, property owners, notaries, real estate agents, and editors of DPE software. Restoring the diagram provides these actors with an official representation of the checks to perform before displaying the "A0" label.

DPE reform includes additional details

The DPE reform planned for January 2027 includes other information: on-site renewable energy production, primary energy source, estimate of the remaining lifespan of heating and, if applicable, air conditioning, as well as information on electrical flexibility and low-temperature operation of heating systems. These additions result from the June decree, and not solely from the October correction.

Zero-emission status depends on energy sources

For landlords and residential property managers, the distinction between a good energy label and eligibility for the "A0" label will therefore be decisive. A high-performing home that retains a heating appliance capable of using gas or fuel does not meet, for this sole reason, the zero-emission conditions provided for by the 3CL-DPE 2021 method.