RE2020: what does it mean for HVAC commissioning engineers?

In force since 1 January 2022, the 2020 Environmental Regulation (RE2020, French building regulations) replaces RT2012 and significantly tightens the energy performance and carbon impact requirements for new buildings. For HVAC commissioning engineers, it profoundly changes the nature of the job.

The 3 key RE2020 indicators

• • Bbio (bioclimatic need): measures the building's intrinsic energy need, independently of its systems. It demands a high-performance building envelope.
• • Cep (primary energy consumption): caps the consumption of HVAC, DHW, lighting and auxiliary systems. The threshold is 20-30% lower than under RT2012.
• • Ic énergie and Ic construction: new carbon indicators that assess environmental impact over the whole life cycle.

What changes for commissioning engineers

Under RE2020, the heat pump has become almost standard in new builds. Commissioning engineers must master heat pump commissioning (air-to-water, ground source), heating curve adjustment and verification of the actual COP under operating conditions.

• • Hybrid heat pump + gas back-up systems: the commissioning engineer must check the changeover thresholds and the cascade logic.
• • High-performance ventilation: heat-recovery ventilation (MVHR) with efficiency above 85% demands precise air balancing.
• • Air-tightness: RE2020 requires Q4 ≤ 0.6 m³/(h.m²) for detached houses. Air leakage has a direct impact on HVAC.
• • Summer comfort: the new DH (degree-hours) indicator means summer thermal behaviour has to be checked. The commissioning engineer must validate solar shading and free cooling.
• • Metering and monitoring: RE2020 encourages building instrumentation. The commissioning engineer must configure energy meters and check that their readings are consistent.

RE2020 is an opportunity for commissioning engineers: it adds value to their expertise and makes their work indispensable if buildings are to achieve the performance promised by the design engineers.