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 centre of discussions for players in the sector. The reason for this? The public authorities want to facilitate the energy transition of France's housing stock at all costs. To achieve this, they have introduced a whole arsenal of regulations with very strict standards.
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 before they can rent or sell properties. To help them validate the required consumption criteria, they have a very powerful tool at their disposal: the DPE software.
We take a look at the advantages of this tool, and provide 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 ECD are introduced.
At present, they mainly concern rental, but also the construction and sale of properties. We take a closer look. 👉
DPE: definition, calculation and period of validity
Before we get to the heart of the matter, let's go back to the basics: what is an energy performance diagnosis?
It's a tool for measuring the energy performance of buildings, based on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
The assessment enables properties to be classified into energy classes ranging from A (very efficient) to G (very energy-intensive).
Since the new DPE came into force in 2021, calculations have been based on fixed criteria for the property (insulation, type of heating or ventilation, etc.), rather than the lifestyle of its occupants at the time. This change gives a more accurate picture of its thermal performance.
A DPE is valid for 10 years. If there is no DPE or if it is fraudulent, the landlord is liable to a fine of €15,000.
Obligation to produce and display the DPE
The DPE is primarily for information purposes. It provides information about the energy performance of a property, and therefore its potential energy consumption. As a result, it is now compulsory for :
- sales (since 2006) ;
- rental (since 2007)
- new builds.
If a property is put up for sale or rent, its DPE label must also appear in the property advertisement and be attached to the technical diagnosis file (DDT) before any lease or deed of sale is signed.
Ban on letting for DPE classes F and G (and E)
In recent years, new thermal regulations have been introduced to encourage renovation work on energy-inefficient homes.
As a result, since 2023, landlords have been banned from letting property with a consumption level of more than 450 kWh/m²/year (a very poor G label).
Since 2025, G-rated heat loss properties have been subject to the same ban. 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, E-rated homes.
Why use certified DPE software?
In this new regulatory context, the ECD has taken on a very important role. Professionals in the sector need to be able to rely on accurate 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 State (in particular by the Ministry of Ecological Transition) is authorised to produce a legally valid DPE.
As a homeowner or landlord, you must therefore use this type of tool to carry out your diagnosis, in order to comply with the law.
Reliability of results
Certified DPE software complies with official calculation methods (3CL-DPE 2021) and takes many parameters into account:
- insulation ;
- ventilation ;
- heating ;
- hot water production ;
- surface area, orientation, etc.
They guarantee highly accurate results.
Generating automated, up-to-date reports
ECD software is not just an analysis tool. It also makes it easier to format the results by generating automated reports in line with current standards.
Comparison of the best certified ECD 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 package developed by Altibitum. It covers all statutory diagnostics, including the DPE. It stands out for its modern interface and its mobile mode, which means it can be used on a tablet. The tool is also appreciated for its ability to generate personalised, 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, maximised latency, ultra-fast creation of audit scenarios, visualisation by plan to minimise data entry errors... Argos offers a host of benefits for professionals. It even incorporates a behavioural method for adapting diagnostic results to the specific needs of customers. But what its users point to first and foremost is its user-friendliness.
💵 Price: on request (trial version available).
ClimaWin
Developed by BBS SLAMA, ClimaWin is a software package specialising in thermal, energy and environmental calculations. Extremely comprehensive, it is aimed primarily at thermal design offices and demanding diagnosticians. The solution features highly accurate energy modelling, with a technical interface that enables thermal models to be created from BIM digital models. ClimaWin is often used for studies that go beyond the simple DPE, such as energy audits.
💵 Price: 1-year subscription €600 excluding VAT/user or full purchase at €1,500 excluding VAT/user.
DjeserDiag
DjeserDiag is a comprehensive management application for property diagnostics professionals. It is designed to combine ease of use with efficiency. In particular, it handles the management of appointments, contacts, employees and equipment, as well as the entry of statutory diagnostics. The software includes a compliant DPE module, with direct transmission to ADEME and automatic generation of PDF reports.
💵 Price: on request (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 learn and 100% focused on energy performance diagnostics. So it's the perfect tool for field diagnosticians who mainly carry out this type of diagnosis. In short, we're dealing with a compliant, high-performance software package.
💵 Price: €690 excluding VAT
EXPERTEC Pro V7.5
Developed by OFFICE EXPERT, EXPERTEC Pro V7.5 is a software package designed to cover all property diagnostics. It includes a high-performance ECD module (Expert Plan) with automated surface area surveys, refined line management and 3CL compatibility. It is available in several versions (Light, Premium, Platinium), to suit the specific needs of professionals. Its interface, designed with the field in mind, enables fast, secure surveying via Bluetooth laser telemetry.
💵 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 functionality (3D sketches, audits, customisable reports, etc.) and integrated web tools (diary, SMS, cloud backup). LICIEL is also banking on collaborative innovation to provide a tool that is both stable and scalable.
💵 Price: €609 excluding VAT.
Liciel
Pleiades
IZUBA énergies' Pleiade is a technical tool designed primarily for design offices. It incorporates the 3CL-DPE 2021 method and can be used to produce both DPEs and regulatory energy audits (mandatory for homes classified F/G). Thanks to its graphical modeler, it greatly simplifies data entry. The DPE module covers houses, flats, 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 excluding VAT + DPE / energy audit module at €500 excluding VAT and renewal at €160 excluding VAT.
WinDPE3
WinDPE V3 is an ADEME/DHUP-certified DPE software package that runs exclusively on Windows. With this solution, you can generate all types of compliant DPE (house, flat, building, tertiary sector, new/existing). Word-compatible, it offers intuitive input of building and equipment characteristics. For reports, it includes automatic recommendations, a summer comfort section, plans, etc. A light, efficient tool that offers good value for money. Perfect for freelancers and small structures!
💵 Price: from €45 excluding VAT to €348 excluding VAT, depending on the package.
What about free ECD simulators?
Certified ECD software is essential for producing a diagnosis that complies with the regulations. But in many cases, you don't need to go to this stage. That's where free ECD simulators come in.
In practical terms, these tools can be used to obtain a quick estimate of a property's energy performance, based on some simple data:
- surface area ;
- heating ;
- insulation ;
- year of construction, etc.
The result has no legal value, but it does give 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 undertaken as a priority, 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 backing up a sales pitch without immediately hiring a professional.
💡 One of the best representatives of this category of DPE simulators is kelvin, developed to meet the needs of works companies, design offices/thermists, renovation professionals and estate agencies. This intelligent assistant uses AI, 3D modelling and geostatistical data to immediately offer users personalised 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 worthwhile 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 experts in diagnostics? 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 traditional ECD software and human expertise.
So the profession of diagnostician 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 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. 🐈⬛