Global energy renovation in Bas-Rhin (67)
A global energy renovation in Bas-Rhin (67) involves coordinating several areas of work to improve the thermal performance of a home as a whole. Insulation, heating, ventilation and hot water production must be considered in the right order, taking the existing structure into account. This approach is particularly important in a département where timber-framed houses, older buildings in Strasbourg, post-war buildings and more recent detached houses coexist. The aim is to define a coherent programme compatible with the building’s materials, its use and any architectural constraints.
Tip: have your energy performance certificate (DPE) and energy bills to hand for a more accurate estimate.
Why carry out a global energy renovation in Bas-Rhin
Older buildings require careful assessment before solutions are selected. In a timber-framed house with cob or brick infill, insulation that is too impermeable can disrupt water vapour transfer and encourage moisture within the wall. A global renovation makes it possible to examine walls, floors, lofts, windows and ventilation together so that improving one element does not shift the problem to another part of the home.
The local climate also means looking beyond winter heating alone. Cold periods require an effective building envelope, while hot spells on the plain can make some homes uncomfortable in summer. The project can therefore include preserving thermal inertia, solar shading, ventilation and opportunities for night-time cooling. In heritage areas, particularly in Strasbourg or wine-growing villages, façade constraints often direct solutions towards internal insulation, lofts and floors.
What a global energy renovation includes
Initial assessment and prioritisation of work
A global energy renovation begins with an assessment of the existing building: wall construction, current insulation, heating system, ventilation, hot water and how the home is used. This stage is used to identify interactions between the different areas and determine a logical sequence of work rather than simply combining independent pieces of equipment.
Treating the thermal envelope
Lofts, walls, ground floors and openings are examined according to how they are constructed. In traditional buildings, materials must remain compatible with moisture transfer through the wall. Treating junctions between walls, floors, roofs and windows also helps reduce breaks in insulation without concealing the construction characteristics of the property.
Adapting heating to the renovated home
The heating system is selected after assessing the building’s needs once improvements to the envelope have been considered. Depending on the configuration, the project may involve the heat generator, emitters, controls or distribution network. This sequence avoids sizing equipment for a home that will subsequently be significantly altered by insulation work.
Ventilation and moisture management
Improving airtightness or replacing windows changes natural air circulation. Ventilation must therefore be integrated into the programme. In an older house or a home that has experienced condensation problems, the assessment focuses in particular on air inlets, extract points, wet rooms and the ability of the walls to manage water vapour.
Hot water and energy use
Domestic hot water production can be included in the overall assessment to check that it remains consistent with the new equipment and household habits. The choice depends in particular on the available space, the selected heating system and the technical possibilities of the building. The project therefore aims to avoid conflicting choices between several areas being renovated at the same time.
Typical situations in Bas-Rhin
Timber-framed house in a village
Older walls may combine timber, cob, brick and traditional renders. Internal work must preserve the ability of the walls to dry and carefully address junctions around floors, beams and wall plates. Insulation, ventilation and heating are then considered together to limit problems associated with moisture.
Flat in an older building in Strasbourg
Where the façade cannot be freely altered, the project may focus on walls accessible from inside, windows, floors and ventilation. Thermal bridges at junctions with internal structural walls or intermediate floors require particular attention in order to maintain a coherent approach.
Detached house from the second half of the twentieth century
These homes often provide greater flexibility for work on the envelope and equipment. The programme may combine improvements to lofts or walls, changes to heating, controls and ventilation. A global renovation is then used to organise the different areas according to how they affect one another and the actual characteristics of the building.
Grants and funding
Depending on the nature of the project and eligibility conditions, a global renovation may qualify for MaPrimeRénov’, CEE (energy savings certificates), reduced VAT or the éco-PTZ (zero-interest eco-loan). Some grants require the use of an RGE-certified professional for the relevant work. The criteria vary according to the work, the property, household income and the chosen pathway, so they must be checked before work is committed.
To prepare your project, you can contact GRAM Énergie to structure the areas to be assessed and the information required. The rules governing public schemes and support pathways can also be checked on the official France Rénov’ website before making any funding decisions.
How we work
Assessment of the home
We examine the building’s configuration, materials, equipment and any visible constraints that could influence the project.
Identification of priorities
The main areas of heat loss, ventilation issues and existing equipment are considered together to avoid a fragmented approach.
Definition of the scenario
The work is organised in an order compatible with the envelope, heating, hot water and architectural constraints.
Checking interactions
We examine the effect of one area on another, particularly in relation to moisture, ventilation, heating system sizing and summer comfort.
Project preparation
Technical choices, any grant-related procedures and points requiring validation before work are brought together in a coherent pathway.
Our other services in Bas-Rhin
Depending on your home’s needs, you can also consult our pages on heat pumps in Bas-Rhin, insulation, thermodynamic water heaters and energy audits. You can also find our page dedicated to energy renovation in Bas-Rhin, our overview of energy renovation in Grand Est and our information for Strasbourg.
Frequently asked questions
Can a global renovation be carried out in a timber-framed house?
Yes, but the construction of the walls must be taken into account from the design stage. Impermeable materials or unsuitable linings can disrupt the natural drying of the walls. The infill, timber frame, existing renders, floor junctions and ventilation must therefore be examined before the insulation is specified.
Is external wall insulation always required?
No. In some historic centres or areas subject to architectural restrictions, external insulation may be limited or unsuitable. The programme can then prioritise lofts, floors, certain internal walls and windows, with careful treatment of thermal bridges and moisture management.
Why assess the heating system after the insulation?
Improving the building envelope changes the heating requirements of the home. Choosing the heating system before defining the insulation can result in equipment being selected for the building’s initial condition rather than its condition after the work. A global approach therefore makes it possible to coordinate sizing with the renovation scenario.
Does a global renovation take summer comfort into account?
Yes, where the building’s configuration warrants it. In Bas-Rhin, hot spells can be significant, particularly on the plain. The project may examine the thermal inertia of the walls, solar shading, night-time ventilation and overheating risks so that the assessment does not focus solely on the winter period.
Let’s talk about your project
Tell us about your home and your goals: we help you prioritise the works and identify the grants worth looking into.