A beautiful southern exposure no longer always makes buyers dream. Faced with increasing heatwave episodes, the summer comfort is gradually establishing itself as a new criterion of choice when purchasing real estate. Beyond the energy performance diagnosis (DPE)several elements make it possible to assess the ability of a home to remain pleasant when temperatures rise. Insulation, ventilation, orientation and even solar protection are now closely scrutinized.
On the ground, this development is already felt. “ Today, customers don’t even need to ask. During visits, they immediately feel whether the accommodation is well insulated or not », observes Vincent Jos, manager of a real estate agency. According to him, “ extreme heat comes earlier and lasts longer. Buyers’ expectations are evolving in the same direction. »
Insulation, ventilation, exposure: the criteria to examine as a priority
Before purchasing, three criteria deserve particular attention : insulation, natural ventilation And the exhibition housing. On their own, they largely influence the ability of a property to remain comfortable during periods of extreme heat. The Ecological Transition Agency (ADEME) also recommends favoring these so-called passive solutions, as well as solar protection, before considering the installation of air conditioning.
The first point to consider remains insulationparticularly that of the roof, walls and floors. An efficient envelope limits the entry of heat in summer, just as it reduces heat loss in winter. “ The quality of the insulation, the presence of shutters and windows are the first elements to check », recommends Vincent Jos.
The second criterion concerns the natural ventilation. Housing crossing or benefiting from double exposure allows create drafts and to more easily evacuate the heat accumulated during the day.
Finally, we must be interested in the exhibition. If south-facing housing has long been sought after for its brightness, some buyers now favor exposures less directly exposed to the sun. “ Today I have clients who clearly tell me that they no longer want a stay facing south. », underlines the professional.
Conversely, certain properties combine risk factors: top floor under the atticinsufficient insulation, south or west exposure without solar protection or even absence of shutters. So many elements likely to make buyers hesitate.
Summer comfort becomes a selling point
Housing best suited to extreme heat gradually increases in value in the eyes of buyers. Good insulation, reversible air conditioning, heat pumpsolar protection or even vegetation on balconies and terraces are among the most sought-after equipment.
“ With comparable characteristics, housing well adapted to extreme heat sells before others. The trend is real », assures Vincent Jos. According to him, goods offering better summer comfort now benefit from a competitive advantage on the market.
The DPE provides a clue… but is not enough
From 2021THE energy performance diagnosis (DPE) includes an indicator of summer comfortevaluated according to three levels (Good, AVERAGE Or insufficient). This takes into account in particular the insulation of the roof, the solar protection, the crossing nature of the accommodation or its inertia, but not the presence of air conditioning.
However, this indicator constitutes one benchmark among others. It does not replace a careful inspection of the accommodation or the verification of essential criteria such as insulation, the exhibitionTHE sun protection or the natural ventilationwhich directly affect comfort during heatwave episodes.
“ Five years ago, no one was talking about summer comfort. Today, it is systematic on almost all the houses that I show », concludes Vincent Jos. For future buyers, checking the insulation, ventilation and exposure of a home could therefore become as important as its location or its energy label.
