Energy audit in Somme (80)
An energy audit in Somme (80) makes it possible to assess a property as a whole before planning work. The aim is to understand where the main heat losses occur, how the existing equipment operates and which improvements can be organised coherently. This approach is particularly useful in a département where brick houses, longhouses, isolated farmhouses and post-war reconstruction buildings coexist. The actual construction of the walls, the condition of the loft, ventilation and any signs of moisture should be assessed before renovation scenarios are developed.
Tip: have your energy performance certificate (DPE) and energy bills to hand for a more accurate estimate.
Why carry out an energy audit in Somme
Picard housing presents very different configurations from one property to another. Solid brick walls may have no insulation layer, while lofts that have already been treated may have lost some of their effectiveness as materials have settled. In rural areas, exposure to wind and larger heated volumes also alter the behaviour of the building. The audit is used to relate these factors to one another rather than assessing each item of equipment separately.
Moisture is another important issue in Somme. A cold wall, water penetration through a façade or rising damp can produce similar symptoms without having the same cause. The audit helps identify these points of concern so that they can be taken into account before certain work begins. It also assesses air renewal, which is essential whenever insulation is improved or uncontrolled air leakage is reduced.
What the energy audit includes
Survey of the building and equipment
An energy audit begins with a survey of the property’s characteristics: floor areas, walls, windows, roof, floors, heating, hot water and ventilation. The aim is to create an accurate technical description of the existing property. This stage is essential where the exterior appearance does not make it possible to determine the exact construction of the walls.
Analysis of heat loss
The different areas of the property are assessed to understand how heat escapes and which building elements contribute most to heating requirements. The study considers the walls, roof, floors, openings and air renewal. It therefore helps avoid concentrating work on a visible but secondary area compared with the overall behaviour of the building.
Assessment of existing systems
Heating, hot water production and ventilation are analysed in relation to the building envelope. Older equipment is not assessed in isolation: its relevance also depends on the property’s heating requirements and any future work. This approach helps determine whether replacement should take place before, during or after improvements to the building fabric.
Development of work scenarios
The audit can organise improvements in several stages or as part of a broader programme. The scenarios coordinate the different areas of work to avoid technical contradictions. For example, heating system sizing should take account of the planned insulation level, while ventilation should accompany interventions that make the building envelope more airtight.
Prioritising the work
Not every property requires the same interventions in the same order. A poorly insulated roof, a damp wall or an unsuitable heating system can change the priorities. The audit helps distinguish urgent work, improvements that should be coordinated and operations that can wait, according to the actual condition of the building.
Typical situations in Somme
Terraced brick town house
The property may be protected laterally by neighbouring homes while remaining exposed at the façade, roof and ground floor. The audit makes it possible to compare these different areas and avoid assigning the same priority to every building element. It also assesses the existing heating system and ventilation in relation to this configuration.
Longhouse or isolated farmhouse
External surface areas are often larger and façades more exposed to wind. Loft insulation may also consist of older materials that have become uneven. In this situation, the assessment relates the roof, walls, floors and heating system to one another in order to define a coherent sequence of work.
Post-war reconstruction building
Two properties built around the same period may conceal very different structures. The materials used varied between projects and according to the techniques available. The audit should therefore be based on the features actually observed rather than solely on the construction date or the appearance of the façade.
Grants and funding
Depending on the nature of the work identified through the audit and the conditions applying to the project, MaPrimeRénov’, CEE (energy savings certificates), reduced VAT and éco-PTZ (zero-interest eco-loan) may be considered for certain interventions. Requirements vary between schemes, and an RGE-certified professional may be required for the relevant categories of work. The criteria should be checked before committing to the work.
You can contact us to present your property and the work you are considering. To consult the official conditions for grants, available pathways and corresponding requirements, you can also refer to the France Rénov’ website. Funding should be considered on the basis of a technically coherent programme rather than the other way around.
How we work
Gathering information
We collect the available information about the property, its equipment, energy use and any work already carried out.
Assessing the building
The walls, roof, floors, windows, ventilation and any signs of moisture are examined.
Energy analysis
The main sources of heat loss and the operation of the systems are assessed together.
Developing scenarios
Different sequences of work can be compared to maintain coherence between the building envelope and equipment.
Presenting priorities
The interventions are set out in an order that makes clear what should be addressed first and what depends on other work.
Our other services in Somme
The findings of the assessment may lead to a global energy renovation in Somme, the installation of a heat pump in Somme, insulation in Somme or the installation of a thermodynamic water heater in Somme. You can also consult the page dedicated to energy renovation in Somme, our overview of Hauts-de-France and information about energy renovation in Amiens.
Frequently asked questions
Can an energy audit show which work should be carried out first?
Yes, one of its roles is to prioritise interventions according to how the property behaves. It helps distinguish work that affects other decisions, such as insulation before sizing a new heating system, from operations that can be scheduled later without creating technical inconsistencies.
Why is the construction date alone not enough to assess a property?
Because the materials and techniques used can vary considerably within the same period. In areas rebuilt after the war, two neighbouring buildings may have walls of different construction. The audit is therefore based on observed characteristics rather than an estimate relying solely on the age of the property.
Can an audit identify a moisture problem?
It can identify signs that require particular attention, but the source of the problem may sometimes require specific further investigation. Condensation, water penetration and rising damp do not require the same solutions. These factors should be taken into account before certain work is planned on walls or the airtightness of the property.
Is an audit still useful if only one type of work is planned?
Yes, because a single intervention can affect other parts of the building. Changing the heating system without knowing future requirements or improving a wall without checking ventilation can result in a poorly coordinated programme. The audit places the proposed work within the overall operation of the property.
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.