En France, le secteur résidentiel représente un quart de la consommation finale d’énergie. La rénovation énergétique des logements constitue donc un enjeu majeur des politiques de sobriété énergétique. Pourtant, les économies d’énergie réelles permises par les travaux de rénovation énergétique restent peu documentées. Cette étude évalue l’impact des travaux d’isolation thermique réalisés dans les maisons individuelles sur la consommation réelle d’électricité et de gaz, à partir de données issues de compteurs communicants (Linky, Gazpar). En exploitant une variation temporelle de la consommation trimestrielle avant et après travaux, nous estimons une baisse moyenne de 5,4 % de la consommation globale d’électricité pour les logements chauffés à l’électricité et de 8,9 % pour le gaz pour les logements chauffés au gaz.
Effects of thermal insulation on actual residential energy consumption
In France, the residential sector accounts for a quarter of final energy consumption. Energy renovation of housing is therefore a major focus of energy-saving policies. However, the actual energy savings achieved through renovation work remain poorly documented. This study evaluates the impact of thermal insulation work carried out in single-family homes on actual electricity and gas consumption, using data from smart meters (Linky, Gazpar). By analyzing quarterly consumption variations before and after the renovations, we estimate an average reduction of 5.4% in total electricity consumption for homes heated with electricity, and 8.9% for gas in homes heated with gas. These effects are heterogeneous: homes with high energy consumption before the renovations show greater savings—up to 16.6% for gas. However, these savings remain lower than those predicted by theoretical models, confirming the existence of an energy performance gap. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for behavioral and situational heterogeneity in order to better target public renovation policies.
In France, the residential sector accounts for a quarter of final energy consumption. Energy renovation of housing is therefore a major focus of energy-saving policies. However, the actual energy savings achieved through renovation work remain poorly documented. This study evaluates the impact of thermal insulation work carried out in single-family homes on actual electricity and gas consumption, using data from smart meters (Linky, Gazpar). By analyzing quarterly consumption variations before and after the renovations, we estimate an average reduction of 5.4% in total electricity consumption for homes heated with electricity, and 8.9% for gas in homes heated with gas. These effects are heterogeneous: homes with high energy consumption before the renovations show greater savings—up to 16.6% for gas. However, these savings remain lower than those predicted by theoretical models, confirming the existence of an energy performance gap. Our results highlight the importance of accounting for behavioral and situational heterogeneity in order to better target public renovation policies.
