From July 1, the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) will undergo changes for homes of 40m² or less. More precisely, the method of calculating the energy label, which classifies housing from “A” (very efficient) to “G” (very energy-intensive), will be adjusted. This modification will allow some of these small dwellings to no longer be classified as “energy sieves”.
DPEs carried out between July 1, 2021 and July 1, 2024 for these homes will be able to benefit from a document certifying the new energy label. This new label can be downloaded from the website of the Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe).
2. The price of gas on the rise
The Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) announces an 11.7% increase in the average gas price in July compared to June. The average reference price will be €129.20 including tax per megawatt hour (MWh), compared to €142.70/MWh in June. In terms of billing, this is equivalent to approximately 13 cents per kilowatt hour (KWh) in July. Despite this increase, the price remains 3.5% lower than the average level of January 1, 2024.
According to the CRE, the annual tax-inclusive bill for a residential customer with an offer indexed to this “reference price” would be €1,184 at the July price, compared to €1,060 in June and €1,227 in January.
This development is mainly the result of the application of the new tariff for natural gas distribution networks and the increase in wholesale prices of natural gas.
3. The regulation of “shrinkflation”
To counter “shrinkflation” (or “reduflation” in French), large and medium-sized stores will now have to clearly display “the upward trend in the prices of consumer products having suffered a drop in quantity”.
The Ministry of the Economy defines “reduflation” as “commercial practices having the effect of masking the reduction in the quantity of certain products while at the same time their prices are maintained, or even increased”.
Although legal, this practice is widely criticized because it prevents consumers from easily perceiving price increases when they shop. This is why the legislation is changing for medium and large stores: consumers will have to be informed of changes in quantity and price. “In concrete terms, a notice must, for example, be affixed near the product when its quantity decreases and its price remains unchanged or increases,” the ministry specifies. The notice must indicate: “For this product, the quantity sold has increased from X to Y and its price per (unit of measurement concerned) has increased by … % or … €.”
4. The insurance “attack” tax increases
Each insurance premium, whether automobile or home, includes a tax, known as an “attack”. According to Le Parisien, this will increase by 60 cents for all contracts. Its price will thus increase from 5.90 to 6.50 euros per year.
These few cents should make it possible to free up an additional 60 million euros for the Guarantee Fund for Victims of Acts of Terrorism and Other Offenses (FGTI). This fund is extended to victims of common law offenses (homicides, rapes and sexual assaults, etc.).
5. A new savings plan for those under 21
Reserved for under 21s, the Future Climate Savings Plan (PEAC) is launched on July 1st. It can be opened for your child from birth, and the money can only be withdrawn from the age of 18. Only condition: a minimum blocking period of five years. At the end of this blocking period, it will be possible to “make partial withdrawals at any time”.
