The BACS Decree: A Boost for Tertiary Eco-Energy through Building Automation!

As a key instrument of the Tertiary Sector Energy Efficiency Scheme, the BACS Decree is designed to support building managers/operators in achieving the targets set for 2030, 2040, and 2050.

Key takeaways.

What is the context?

Initially published on July 20, 2020, and revised by decree on April 7, 2023, the BACS Decree (Building Automation and Control Systems) aims to accelerate the development of Building Automation and Control Systems.

Who is concerned?

Owners of heating and/or air conditioning equipment that meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria?

Tertiary buildings equipped with a heating and/or air conditioning system having a useful output exceeding 70 kW. The obligation applies to the owner of the installation in question (whether the building owner or a tenant).

For thermodynamic equipment (Heat Pumps, Splits, VRF systems, etc.): the sum of the heating or cooling capacities of the installations exceeding 70 kW;
For resistive heating systems: consideration of the maximum power of all electric heating elements;
For boilers: consideration of the sum of the useful outputs of each boiler if they serve the same zone;
For other systems: each system is considered individually.

Which equipment?

HVAC
Domestic Hot Water
Fixed lighting
On-site electricity generation
Any other system combining several of the aforementioned systems

What functions must the automation system perform?

Collection and logging of energy data by functional zone
Evaluation of the energy efficiency of connected systems and comparison of consumption with reference values (energy audits and equipment technical specifications);
Detection of energy efficiency losses (via the calculation of excessively low heating/cooling performance coefficients, a sudden increase in consumption, or an inappropriate load curve evolution);
Use of open communication protocols enabling communication between all components of the architecture (supervision, controllers, PLCs, field equipment);
Autonomous management of connected technical systems (continued operation in case of failure).

When?

For new buildings:
- From the design phase: Buildings featuring a system with a useful power exceeding 290 kW and for which the building permit (PC) was filed after 22/07/2021
- 01/01/2024: Buildings featuring a system with a useful power exceeding 70 kW and for which the building permit was filed after 09/04/2024
For existing buildings:
- 01/01/2025: Buildings featuring a system with a useful power exceeding 290 kW;
- 01/01/2027: Buildings featuring a system with a useful power exceeding 70 kW.

How much?

The operation can be partially financed by Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) by meeting Class B or Class A criteria (BAT-TH-116). This applies to sites not equipped with a BACS or equipped with a Class C or lower-level BACS.

An additional CEE incentive is also offered for the implementation or improvement of a BACS towards the end of 2023 (a bonus compared to the announced CEE amount)

What Inspection?

The periodic inspection of the BACS must be commissioned by the owner(s) of the installed system:
- Before 01/01/2025 for systems installed before 08/04/2023
- Within two years following installation for systems installed after 08/04/2023 (this latter may occur concurrently with the installation)
The technical inspection must include:
- A documentary analysis to establish a technical inventory of the BACS installations;
- An evaluation of the control/measurement equipment connected to the BACS;
- Recommendations concerning the existing control system and the overall operation of the BACS architecture