Brest: an energy-inefficient building reaches 23°C without heating

A resident of Brest’s Bellevue district has seen her daily life transformed by the complete refurbishment of her building. Here is her story.

23°C without heating in Brest

A woman living in Bellevue, Brest, now enjoys exceptional thermal comfort: her flat stays at 23°C without any heating being switched on. It is enough to make millions of French people, facing an unprecedented energy crisis, envious. This achievement follows an energy renovation that has turned her 1970s building into a low-energy property.

A spectacular transformation

Last January, we revisited the case of the residence at 48 rue de Kermenguy, built in 1977 and originally an energy-inefficient building. “Without wall insulation and with only marginally better protection at roof level”, Emmanuel Arnaud of Tinergie told Ouest-France, the building required urgent action. The extensive works, costing €1.58 million, delivered a remarkable improvement of more than 70% in the thermal coefficient, moving its energy rating from D to B.

One of the most significant features of the renovation involved the balconies, which had previously been a major source of heat loss. Fitting a “curtain wall” converted them into usable living space, providing co-owners with two benefits: improved thermal comfort and more room to live in.

Public support for a collective project

This striking renovation could not have happened without substantial public funding. Of the overall cost, €707,000 - 45% of the works - was paid through grants. The National Housing Agency (Anah) provided €482,000, while Brest métropole and the Brittany region contributed €224,600.

Tinergie, the local public energy-renovation service, played a central part in making the scheme successful. Set up by Brest métropole, the organisation gives co-ownership buildings free technical and financial support. Since it was created, it has helped carry out assessments for 4,000 homes and overseen works on 500 homes.

Brittany’s energy renovation targets

The project forms part of Brittany’s regional priorities. In western France, buildings account for 45% of final energy consumption. In response, the region has made energy renovation a priority, setting an ambitious target of renovating 45,000 homes each year.

Nationally, the government offers numerous forms of assistance for thermal insulation work. Owners of energy-inefficient buildings will also have to carry out improvements if they wish to continue letting their properties. From 2028, renting out homes with an energy rating of F or below will be prohibited.