In these times of high heat, many homes are not well equipped to cope with heat waves. The Minister Delegate for Housing, Patrice Vergriete, therefore said he was in favor of new aid for the renovation of housing with consideration of this thermal protection.
“I think what needs to change is to integrate this problem of heat waves into the adaptation of housing,” the minister said on France Inter on Thursday. Summer comfort is still very little taken into account in housing regulations. The only binding standards concern new constructions authorized since January 2022.
Take inspiration from aid from overseas departments
In France, MaPrimeRénov, the government’s flagship energy renovation aid scheme, only finances work aimed at further protecting housing against the cold.
In some overseas communities, on the other hand, the installation of overroofs or ventilated cladding, or solar water heaters, can be supported. “If we expand these devices? What if we relied on the overseas experience to generalize it to mainland France? I am rather in favor of that, ”said the minister.
Heat waves like the one that France is currently going through, with another 17 departments placed on red alert on Thursday, will multiply and intensify with global warming. So better prepare for it.