DPE software, or how to find out the energy performance of a property in just one click
The energy performance of residential buildings is at the center of discussions for players in the sector. The reason? Public authorities are keen to facilitate the energy transition of France's housing stock at all costs. To achieve this, they have put in place a whole arsenal of stringent regulations.
The DPE is the main weapon in the battle against greenhouse gas emissions. Building and housing professionals must comply with precise performance and consumption levels in order to rent or sell their properties. To help them validate the required consumption criteria, they have a high-performance tool at their disposal: DPE software.
Here's a look at its advantages, and a full comparison of the software available on the market.
What are the legal requirements for an ECD?
Every year, new legal obligations concerning the DPE are introduced.
At present, they mainly concern rental, but also the construction and sale of property. We take a closer look. 👉
DPE: definition, calculation and period of validity
Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's go back to basics: what is the energy performance diagnosis?
It's a tool for measuring the energy performance of buildings, based on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
The assessment classifies properties into energy classes ranging from A (very efficient) to G (very energy-intensive).
Since the new DPE came into force in 2021, calculations are based on fixed criteria for the property (insulation, type of heating or ventilation, etc.), rather than the lifestyle of its current occupants. This change gives a more accurate view of its thermal performance.
💡 A DPE is valid for 10 years. In the event of absence or fraudulent DPE, the landlord is liable to a €15,000 fine .
Obligation to produce and display the DPE
The DPE is primarily for information purposes. It provides information on a property's energy performance, and therefore its potential energy consumption. It is now mandatory for :
- sale (since 2006) ;
- rental (since 2007) ;
- new construction.
If a property is put up for sale or rent, its DPE label must also appear in the property advertisement, and be included in the DDT (dossier de diagnostic technique) before any lease or deed of sale is signed.
Rental ban for DPE classes F and G (and E)
In recent years, new thermal regulations have been introduced to encourage renovation work on energy-hungry homes.
As a result, since 2023, landlords have been prohibited from renting out property with a consumption level of over 450 kWh/m²/year (very poor G label).
Since 2025, the same applies to G-rated thermal huts. Landlords are obliged to carry out renovation work to get out of the G category before letting.
In 2028, it will be the turn of F-rated homes, and in 2034 of E-rated homes.
Why use certified DPE software?
In this new regulatory context, DPE has taken on a very important role. Professionals in the sector need to be able to rely on precise analyses to determine the value of a property and the benefits of renovation work.
It's for this reason that the use of DPE software has become widespread among diagnosticians.
Here are the benefits promised by this tool. 👉
Legal compliance
Only software certified by the French government (notably the Ministry of Ecological Transition) is authorized to produce a legally valid DPE.
As a homeowner or lessor, you must therefore use this type of tool to make sure you comply with the law.
Reliable results
Certified DPE software complies with official calculation methods (3CL-DPE 2021) and takes many parameters into account:
- insulation ;
- ventilation ;
- heating ;
- hot water production ;
- surfaces, orientation, etc.
They guarantee highly accurate results.
Automated, up-to-date reports
ECD software is more than just an analysis tool. They also facilitate the layout of results by generating automated reports in line with current standards.
Comparison of the best certified DPE software
Are you an energy diagnostics expert looking for the best ECD software?
Here are our top picks for the most effective tools on the market today.
AnalysImmo
AnalysImmo is a certified DPE software developed by Altibitum. It covers all regulatory diagnostics, including DPE. It stands out for its modern interface and its nomad mode, which means it can be used on a tablet. The tool is also appreciated for its ability to generate customized, compliant reports with ease. Finally, Altibitum provides excellent technical support for its 1,500 customers.
💵 Price: on request (trial version available).
Argos
Argos' main strengths? Its interface and fluidity. Efficient, easy entry of measurements, maximized latency, ultra-rapid creation of audit scenarios, visualization by plan that minimizes data entry errors... Argos offers many advantages for professionals. It even incorporates a behavioral method to tailor diagnostic results to customers' specific needs. But what its users point to first is its ergonomics.
💵 Price: on request (trial version available).
ClimaWin
Developed by BBS SLAMA, ClimaWin is a software package specializing in thermal, energy and environmental calculations. Extremely comprehensive, it is aimed primarily at thermal design offices and demanding diagnosticians. The solution stands out for its high-precision energy modeling, with a technical interface that enables the creation of thermal models from BIM digital mock-ups. ClimaWin is often used for studies that go beyond the simple DPE, such as energy audits.
💵 Price: 1-year subscription €600 excl. tax/user or full purchase at €1,500 excl. tax/user.
DjeserDiag
DjeserDiag is a complete management application for real estate diagnostics professionals. It is designed to combine ease of use and efficiency. In particular, it handles the management of appointments, contacts, employees and equipment, as well as the entry of regulatory diagnoses. The software includes a compliant DPE module, with direct transmission to ADEME and automatic generation of PDF reports.
💵 Price: on quotation (trial version available).
DPEWin
DPEWin is published by Logiciels Perrenoud. It is a complete DPE solution, based on the 3CL-DPE method. It's easy to use and 100% focused on energy performance diagnostics. It's therefore the perfect tool for field diagnosticians who mainly carry out this type of diagnosis. In short, we're dealing with compliant, high-performance software.
💵 Price: 690 € HT
EXPERTEC Pro V7.5
Developed by OFFICE EXPERT, EXPERTEC Pro V7.5 is a software package designed to cover all real estate diagnostics. It incorporates a high-performance ECD module (Expert Plan) with automated surface surveys, refined line management and 3CL compatibility. It is available in several versions (Light, Premium, Platinium), to adapt to the specific needs of professionals. Its field-proven interface enables fast, secure surveying via Bluetooth laser rangefinder.
💵 Price: on request (trial version available).
LICIEL Diagnostics
The benchmark software with over 18 years' experience, LICIEL offers a complete suite for all diagnostics, including an ECD module. The tool stands out for its rich functionalities (3D sketches, audits, customizable reports, etc.) and integrated web tools (diary, SMS, cloud backup). LICIEL also relies on collaborative innovation, to provide a tool that is both stable and scalable at the same time.
💵 Price: €609 ex VAT.
Liciel
Pleiades
IZUBA énergies' Pleiade is a technical tool designed primarily for design offices. It incorporates the 3CL-DPE 2021 method, and is used to produce both DPEs and regulatory energy audits (mandatory for F/G-rated housing). Its graphical modeler greatly simplifies data entry. The DPE module covers houses, apartments, blocks of flats and commercial buildings. It also supports the analysis of energy renovation scenarios and the export of ADEME reports.
💵 Price: Pléiades base at €400 excl. tax + DPE / energy audit module at €500 excl. tax and renewal at €160 excl. tax.
WinDPE3
WinDPE V3 is an ADEME/DHUP-certified ECD software package, running exclusively on Windows. With this solution, you can generate all types of compliant DPE (house, apartment, building, tertiary, new/existing). Word-compatible, it offers intuitive input of building and equipment characteristics. For reports, it includes automatic recommendations, a summer comfort section, floor plans, etc. A lightweight, efficient tool offering good value for money. Perfect for freelancers and small structures!
💵 Price: from €45 excl. tax to €348 excl. tax, depending on package.
What about free ECD simulators?
Certified ECD software is essential for producing a diagnosis that complies with regulations. But in many cases, you don't need to go all the way. That's where free DPE simulators come in.
In concrete terms, these tools enable you to obtain a quick estimate of a property's energy performance, based on simple data:
- surface area ;
- heating ;
- insulation ;
- year of construction, etc.
The result has no legal value, but provides a useful initial indication.
These simulators are particularly useful when it comes to preparing an energy renovation project. How can they help? By presenting the work to be prioritized, an estimate of potential energy savings and the evolution of the DPE class.
Another advantage is their ease of use. In just a few minutes, without any particular technical skills, you can obtain an approximate energy class. For agencies, these tools are a way of bolstering a sales argument without immediately hiring a professional.
💡 One of the best representatives of this category of DPE simulators is kelvin, developed to meet the needs of construction companies, design/thermal engineers, renovation professionals and real estate agencies. This intelligent assistant uses AI, 3D modeling and geostatistical data to immediately offer users personalized renovation plans, with three possible scenarios. All that's left to do is integrate the tool into your own websites and advertising campaigns, to capture demand and qualify your prospects.
kelvin
ECD software: what's important?
The use of DPE software is essential to guarantee full regulatory compliance in the event of sale, rental or construction. However, outside these specific cases, it may be more interesting to use a free DPE simulator, to obtain consistent estimates without having to pay for an energy diagnosis.
The use of simulators is becoming increasingly widespread. But does this mean that AI is likely to replace human diagnostic experts? For the moment, we're a long way from that. Autonomous ECD simulators are a valuable decision-making aid, but not as effective as the combination of conventional ECD software + human expertise.
The diagnostician's profession still has a long way to go!
Article translated from French
Maëlys De Santis, Growth Managing Editor, started at Appvizer in 2017 as Copywriter & Content Manager. Her career at Appvizer is distinguished by her in-depth expertise in content strategy and content marketing, as well as SEO optimization. With a Master's degree in Intercultural Communication and Translation from ISIT, Maëlys also studied languages and English at the University of Surrey. She has shared her expertise in publications such as Le Point and Digital CMO. She contributes to the organization of the global SaaS event, B2B Rocks, where she took part in the opening keynote in 2023 and 2024.
An anecdote about Maëlys? She has a (not so) secret passion for fancy socks, Christmas, baking and her cat Gary. 🐈⬛