5 energy retrofit priorities for your job sites

Priority: secure the building envelope with consistent insulation

Loft and roof: the first lever for cutting heat loss

Heat loss starts at the top. Continuous insulation of unheated or converted lofts, with no gaps left around hatches and junctions, is often one of the first priorities. Aim for an appropriate thermal resistance and take care with the junctions to limit thermal bridges.

Walls and ground floors: choosing the right technique for the building

For walls, external wall insulation reduces thermal bridging and protects the building's thermal mass. Internal wall insulation remains relevant in co-owned buildings or on protected façades, provided you plan for moisture, especially in older buildings. For ground floors, insulating from underneath, in the crawl space, or from above reduces the cold-floor effect.

Airtightness and ventilation: preventing pathologies after works

When you upgrade insulation, air needs to circulate in the right places. Address leaks at joinery and penetrations, then check that the mechanical ventilation system is properly sized and maintained. Otherwise, water vapour gets trapped. Condensation, mould, discomfort.

Priority: modernise the heating system in line with the insulation work

Heat pump, boiler, stove: recommending the right system for the need

After insulation, the required output drops. Your priorities become simpler to sort out: budget, space, use. An air/water heat pump suits houses with a hydraulic network well. A high-performance gas boiler can still make sense as a replacement if the home is connected to the gas network. A wood stove works as a supplement, or as the main heating system for small surfaces, provided you manage fresh air and storage. Aim for a sensible choice, not a race for kW.

Emitters and controls: gaining comfort without oversizing

The generator isn't everything. Check radiators, underfloor heating, flow rates and balancing. Add fine-tuned controls: a programmable thermostat, an outdoor sensor, thermostatic valves. With well-suited emitters, you lower the water temperature, gain comfort, and avoid the oversizing that hurts efficiency.

Anticipating technical constraints: electricity, noise, location, access

Before pricing the job, do a walkthrough of the sticking points. Site constraints to check:

• electrical supply, breaker rating, subscription
• outdoor unit location, neighbours, acoustics
• condensate drainage, penetrations, maintenance and delivery access

Priority: address domestic hot water for quick savings

Heat pump water heater, solar, dual-service heat pump: what to recommend in 2026?

In 2026, to replace an electric water heater, a heat pump water heater is often still a good compromise between cost, space and lower consumption. Solar thermal becomes very worthwhile if the roof is well oriented and usage is regular. A dual-service heat pump (heating plus hot water) mainly makes sense in a comprehensive renovation, when the goal is a single generator with low-temperature emitters.

Loops, pipework, pipe insulation: don't let the kWh slip away

Hidden losses in the hot water network can eat into your gains. Insulate pipes in cold zones, cut unnecessary lengths, and adjust the temperature. On a loop system, control the pump with a timer or demand-based control to limit circulation time.

Matching the solution to actual use: number of occupants, habits, volume

Size the system based on actual use. Number of occupants, baths or showers, morning and evening peaks. A tank that's too big heats for nothing. Too small, and it pushes you to raise the setpoint. Set your priorities—comfort, frugality, self-consumption—then adjust storage and production accordingly.

Priority: aim for a comprehensive renovation to maximise performance and subsidies

Sequencing the trades: the "envelope then systems" method to avoid callbacks

For a comprehensive renovation that holds up, start with the envelope. Insulating the walls, addressing thermal bridges, airtightness and ventilation. You limit defects and rework, and then size the heating and hot water systems on actual needs. The result: fewer callbacks and a better-calibrated installation.

2026 subsidies: combining MaPrimeRénov' and CEE in your recommendation

In 2026, combining MaPrimeRénov' and CEE remains a strong lever, provided the client is guided to the right pathway and the measures are eligible. Secure the key points: household eligibility, work carried out by an RGE-certified company, and applications filed before signature when required. To go further, rely on solid guidance on CEE and MaPrimeRénov' subsidies. Your recommendation gains financial coherence and avoids bad surprises.

Energy audit and DPE class gains: priorities by objective (DPE, comfort, budget)

The audit énergétique (France's regulatory energy audit) acts as a roadmap. To aim for DPE (France's energy performance certificate) class improvements, prioritise insulation and ventilation, then the heating system. For winter and summer comfort, address the roof, walls and solar protection first. For a tight budget, propose a phased plan that keeps a clear direction, with measurable milestones and a target scenario.

Priority: make the site survey and pricing reliable to limit unforeseen issues

Site checklist: measurements, photos, points of attention and notes to record

Before pricing the job, lock down the site's priorities and keep one simple rule. Zero oversights.

• Measurements: insulated surfaces, heights, possible thicknesses, pipe/duct lengths, unit locations.
• Photos: electrical panel, equipment labels, loft, façades, access, drainage.
• Points of attention: moisture, existing ventilation, access constraints, co-ownership, suspect materials.
• Notes: protections, rework, penetrations, restoration, timelines and contingencies.

Pre-pricing and quotes: presenting clear, comparable scenarios

Offer 2 to 3 scenarios built on the same set of measurements. Compare them with separate line items, clear options and the same assumptions. Add a site contingency line and an indicative subsidy estimate, based on eligibility.

How Argile helps: quick diagnosis, feasibility, scenarios, quotes and subsidies

With Argile, you launch a diagnosis in under 5 minutes, check feasibility (building, climate, constraints), then generate scenarios and a detailed quote. MaPrimeRénov' and CEE are calculated automatically to explain the remaining cost to the client, without overpromising. Decide fast, based on consistent data.