When deciding to modernize your home, the first step to consider is neither home automation nor decoration, but regulatory constraints. Since January 2026, the extension of the RE2020 to partial renovations requires a mandatory energy audit for any replacement of heating or insulation. Before choosing equipment, you must know if the project triggers this obligation, or you risk starting the work from scratch.
RE2020 Energy Audit: A Prerequisite Before Purchasing Equipment
If you are replacing a boiler, installing insulation over a certain area, or changing your exterior joinery, decree n°2026-47 requires you to have an audit conducted by a certified professional. This document conditions the choice of equipment: it sets the performance thresholds to be achieved.
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There have been projects where the owner ordered an air-water heat pump before the audit, only to discover that the building did not allow for the required performance without first addressing the thermal envelope. The additional cost can be significant. The correct sequence is audit first, then equipment selection.
To explore the various equipment options compatible with these new requirements, you can compare the solutions presented on the Salon Tendances Habitat website before consulting your auditor.
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Hybrid Dual-Flow Ventilation: The Technical Choice That Changes Real Comfort
Ventilation is often the neglected aspect of renovations. We think of heating, insulation, windows, and forget that without controlled air renewal, insulation worsens humidity problems. This is a classic trap in apartments and houses in oceanic climates.
Recent renovation data shows a growing preference for hybrid dual-flow ventilation systems, combining electrical and geothermal operation. These installations significantly reduce complaints related to humidity in urban renovations.
The classic dual-flow system recovers heat from the outgoing air to preheat the incoming air. The hybrid version adds a geothermal exchanger (Canadian well or Provençal well) that tempers the fresh air before it enters the system. In summer, the air arrives cooler. In winter, it arrives less cold. The impact on heating bills and perceived comfort is noticeable.
What to Check Before Installing a Hybrid Dual-Flow System
- The available space for the casing and ducts: in an old apartment, the passage of ducts may require false ceilings or casings, which reduces the ceiling height by about ten centimeters
- The nature of the ground if considering a geothermal well: clay soil in a dense urban area complicates excavation and increases the budget
- The maintenance of filters, often underestimated: a poorly maintained dual-flow system degrades air quality instead of improving it, with exchangers becoming clogged within a few months
Feedback varies on this point, but several installers report that the profitability of the geothermal component depends heavily on the local climate. In Brittany or Normandy, the gain is clear. In the Mediterranean region, a standard dual-flow system is often sufficient.
Home Automation with Predictive AI: Beyond Gadgets, Real Energy Management
Home automation has long been associated with gadgets: turning on lights by voice, closing shutters from your phone. Since early 2026, a new generation of home automation integrations uses generative AI for predictive personalization of home equipment.
The principle: the system analyzes the family’s habits (presence hours, temperature preferences room by room, window opening cycles) and anticipates thermal comfort needs. Instead of manually programming scenarios, the system adapts on its own.
According to the “Home Automation AI 2026” report from the Connected Home Observatory, this approach goes beyond simple automation. The AI adjusts heating before the temperature drops, rather than reacting afterward. Over a full winter, the difference in consumption compared to a traditional programmable thermostat becomes tangible.
Compatibility with Existing Systems: The True Selection Criterion
Before investing in a predictive AI home automation hub, check compatibility with existing equipment. Open protocols (Zigbee, Matter) allow for connecting different brands. A closed system limited to a single ecosystem restricts your options in the medium term and makes you dependent on a manufacturer for each addition.
For rental or temporary housing, modular “plug and play” equipment (like the IKEA “Plan & Play” range launched in April 2026) offers an interesting alternative. They can be installed without drilling and taken with you when moving. Adaptability is their strong point compared to traditional wired home automation solutions.
Bathroom Renovation and Interior Design: Balancing Comfort and Budget
The bathroom often accounts for the highest budget per square meter in a renovation. The trap is choosing materials and sanitary equipment from a catalog without considering the constraints of the existing room.
A concrete example: installing a walk-in shower in an old apartment often requires raising the floor to integrate the ultra-flat shower tray and drain. If the ceiling height is already limited, you lose comfort for the sake of aesthetics.
- Prioritize thermostatic faucets if your hot water production is centralized: they stabilize temperature and noticeably reduce water waste in daily use
- For coverings, large-format tiles reduce the number of joints (less maintenance, less mold) but require a perfectly flat substrate, which may involve leveling
- Indirect LED strip lighting consumes little and transforms the room’s ambiance, but check the required IP protection rating in water projection areas
In terms of broader interior design, the 2026 trends favor earthy colors and bio-sourced materials (cork, linen, hemp). These choices are not just aesthetic: a hemp-lime plaster on an interior wall helps to naturally regulate the room’s humidity, a concrete advantage in poorly ventilated spaces.
The choice of equipment to modernize your home is not just a list of trendy products. The sequence of audit, ventilation, energy management, and then finishes remains the most reliable to avoid costly rework. Each technical decision conditions the next, and it is this overall coherence that makes the difference between a successful renovation and a series of compromises.