Individual or collective heating: what are the differences in costs in 2025?

Managing expenses in condominiums is an increasingly concerning topic, especially in light of the notable rise in the cost of living and energy expenses. In 2025, the differences between individual and collective heating will become crucial for homeowners. Recent analyses by the Association of Condominium Managers (ARC) reveal an alarming situation, where costs associated with collective heating, primarily powered by gas, are experiencing an unprecedented surge. As communities face a "triple penalty"—inflation, rising energy prices, and renovation obligations—it becomes essential to understand these dynamics to better anticipate and manage future expenses. Let’s explore these issues in depth, the possible solutions, and the implications for all condominiums.

Impact of Increased Heating Costs on Collective and Individual Heating

The figures speak for themselves. According to a recent report from the ARC, costs for condominiums relying on gas collective heating saw a staggering increase of 19.54% in 2022, followed by fears of increases exceeding 30% in 2023. In contrast, condominiums with individual heating only recorded a rise of 4.84% the previous year. This difference is justified by several complex factors that we will outline here.

The Reasons Behind the Increase in Costs

The current situation of costs in condominiums can be described as a "triple penalty" due to the following elements:

• Inflation of Current Costs: Expenses related to the maintenance or administration of buildings are skyrocketing, creating additional pressure on the budgets of homeowners.

• Explosion in Energy Prices: The costs of gas and electricity have risen alarmingly, directly affecting the rates for collective heating.

• Energy Renovation Obligations: The regulations imposed by the Climate and Resilience laws of 2021 require renovation work, resulting in additional costs for condominiums.

With this dynamic, it is easy to understand why many condominium associations are worried. The rise in energy tariffs, in particular, has been marked by increases that could reach more than 700% of the price of gas in certain areas.

Comparison Table of Cost Increases in 2022 and 2023

Options for Mitigating Collective Heating Costs

In light of this alarming rise in costs, several solutions can be considered by condominium associations and property managers. The ARC suggests various means to mitigate these increases while maintaining the quality of services provided to the condominium.

Actions to Control Costs

Here are some recommendations that homeowners can consider:

1. Evaluate current contracts and ensure they are being executed properly.

2. Identify the specific needs of the condominium to engage in competitive bidding for service providers.

3. Negotiate all contracts, whether for insurance, maintenance, or related to the syndicate, without compromising quality.

4. Eliminate any involvement from syndicate subsidiaries to avoid conflicts of interest.

5. Continuously monitor spending trends to identify unjustified increases in costs.

6. Prepare a budget for funding necessary maintenance and renovation work.

7. Audit the condominium's accounts to find "dormant" or unused funds.

In addressing these challenges, it is also necessary to act on energy consumption management, particularly by improving the efficiency of collective heating.

Measures to Optimize Collective Heating

Here are some recommended actions:

• Ensure proper maintenance of the collective boiler room to prevent any inefficiencies.

• Carry out a de-sludge of the heating network to improve thermal flow.

• Better regulate the heating network to adapt energy consumption according to needs.

• Establish comfort settings in the boiler room, such as a heating index of 19°C during the day and 18°C at night.

• Install sensors that allow adapting energy consumption according to climatic variations.

• Anticipate renegotiations of gas supply contracts to benefit from better offers.

The Preeminent Role of Syndics in Managing Costs

Another aspect to consider is the role of syndics in managing the costs of condominiums. The ARC emphasizes the need for a redefinition of the syndic's role due to the conflicts of interest that may arise. Indeed, it is unacceptable for a syndic to sell services to the condominium they represent, creating a gray area that harms cost management.

Issues Related to Syndics

It is also essential to consider the financial impacts of syndics: collection fees, for example, can be costly for homeowners, with reminder letters costing as much as €120. This raises questions about the transparency of costs and the quality of services rendered.

To improve the situation, it is necessary to demand better training for managers to ensure an in-depth understanding of the laws and regulations in effect. Being outdated in this area can compromise the efficiency of management.

Current Status and Future Perspectives on Energy Performance of Condominiums

As we have seen, the collective energy performance diagnosis (DPE) has become a key point in the current debate. Starting in 2025, all condominiums will have to comply with this obligation, which could represent an opportunity to improve energy efficiency in the long term.

New Obligations and Challenges

The collective DPE aims to assess the energy performance of buildings and track the evolution of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With the growing importance of environmental issues, this new regulation will force condominiums to think about sustainable solutions.

To meet these requirements and mitigate the impact on costs:

• Condominiums will need to consider modern heating systems, such as condensing boilers from brands like Viessmann or De Dietrich, which can offer superior energy efficiency.

• The integration of renewables, such as solar panels or geothermal systems (Clim+), could also contribute to reducing costs related to fossil fuels.

• It is crucial for condominiums to engage in energy audits to measure their consumption and identify areas for improvement.

Summary Table of Boiler Brands and Heating Systems

FAQ

What are the main differences between individual and collective heating in terms of costs?

Collective heating generally supports higher costs due to fluctuations in energy prices, while individual heating offers more control over consumption, thus limiting cost increases.

How can I reduce my heating costs in a condominium?

Homeowners can compare service contracts, renegotiate rates, and invest in more efficient systems, such as modern boilers, to optimize consumption.

What is the collective energy performance diagnosis (DPE)?

The collective DPE is a tool that assesses the energy performance of a building. It will be mandatory for all condominiums starting in 2025 and aims to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What are the main energy challenges for condominiums by 2025?

Condominiums will face rising energy-related costs, energy renovation obligations, and the necessity to comply with new environmental regulations.

How can syndics improve cost management?

Syndics must be trained on the current challenges of condominiums, renegotiate contracts, and closely monitor expenses to avoid excessive cost increases.

With a better understanding of these issues and by implementing appropriate solutions, condominiums can not only control their costs but also significantly improve their energy performance for the future.