RE2020 and off-site construction: meeting regulatory requirements from the design stage onwards
The 2020 Environmental Regulations (RE2020) is the French standard governing new construction since January 1, 2022. It aims not only to improve the energy performance of buildings, but also to reduce their carbon impact throughout their life cycle and ensure comfort during periods of high heat.
Key challenges of RE2020 for professionals
RE2020 represents a significant evolution from the 2012 Thermal Regulation (RT2012). It is based on three main areas:
- Energy performance: limiting the primary energy consumption of new buildings;
- Reducing carbon impact: measuring and reducing emissions throughout the entire life cycle of buildings;
- Summer comfort: ensuring comfortable temperatures even during heat waves.
Energy performance and insulation
RE2020 retains historical indicators such as bioclimatic demand (Bbio) and primary energy consumption (Cep), while strengthening them in relation to RT2012. The overall objective is to reduce the energy requirements of buildings and to integrate high-performance thermal insulation solutions from the design stage onwards.
Carbon impact and LCA
For the first time, regulations now require a life cycle assessment (LCA) of new buildings in order to measure the environmental impact of construction, use, and end-of-life materials. This analysis includes the carbon footprint of the construction phase.
Summer comfort
A new indicator, the degree-hour of discomfort (DH), has been introduced to measure the quality of thermal comfort during the summer, which requires the design of high-performance building envelopes to prevent overheating.
Why does off-site construction facilitate RE2020 compliance?
Off-site construction makes it possible to anticipate regulatory requirements from the design phase onwards and to better control thermal and environmental performance:
Enhanced quality control
Cost and time optimization
By integrating regulatory requirements early on in the project, off-site construction reduces the risk of costly changes during the construction phase and optimizes completion times.
Integration of high-performance materials
In the workshop, it is easier to integrate high-performance, low-carbon insulation solutions, which helps to meet the thermal and environmental requirements of RE2020.
Thermal insulation & RE2020: an inseparable pair
RE2020 reinforces the central role of thermal insulation in the energy and environmental performance of buildings. In fact, to meet regulatory requirements:
- The insulation must be continuous and unbroken throughout the entire envelope.
- Thermal bridges must be limited and treated with precision.
- Materials must be chosen for their thermal performance and carbon impact.
High-performance solutions to comply with RE2020
Workshop insulation & continuity of the envelope
Integrating insulation during the prefabrication phase ensures the thermal continuity of the building envelope, which is essential for reducing energy requirements and improving regulatory calculation results.
Bio-based materials favored
RE2020 encourages the use of certified materials with low environmental impact, particularly bio-based insulation such as cellulose insulation, which offers a good compromise between thermal performance and carbon footprint.
Solution focus: cellulose insulation meets RE2020 requirements
Measurable thermal performance and summer comfort
RE2020 introduces a specific summer comfort indicator (DH: degree-hour of discomfort), which aims to limit overheating in new buildings. Materials with high specific heat capacity and good phase shift contribute to reducing these risks by delaying the penetration of heat into the building.
cellulose insulation, due to its fibrous structure and installation density, is recognized for its favorable thermal phase shift and its contribution to summer comfort, particularly when compared to lighter insulation materials. These characteristics are documented in several technical studies on bio-based insulation materials. (ADEME, CSTB)
A loose-fill insulation suitable for off-site industrial processes
- A single product for multiple applications (walls, floors, attics), simplifying supply management;
- Easy to store in workshops or on industrial platforms;
- Reduction in transport volumes, helping to limit logistics costs and environmental impact;
- No cutting required, the bulk product adapts to all sizes of prefabricated walls;
- No material loss, which reduces construction waste;
- Consistency of insulation, essential for consistency between regulatory calculations and actual performance.
Contribution to reducing carbon impact
RE2020 requires an assessment of the carbon footprint of buildings via a life cycle assessment (LCA). Recycled materials with low embodied energy are favored in this context.
In this context, cellulose insulation, made from recycled paper, is classified as a bio-based insulation material with low environmental impact. Its use helps to limit greenhouse gas emissions associated with the construction phase, in line with the RE2020 objectives.
Conclusion
RE2020 raises the bar in terms of energy performance, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and thermal comfort. In this context, off-site construction offers a structured and controlled response to these regulatory requirements by integrating thermal performance, materials, and interface management from the design stage onwards.
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