Cicla (Centre d’information du cuivre, laitons et alliages – French Copper, Brass and Alloy Information Centre) offers the Écosimulateur. This software, available in the institutions’ web site, allows both installers and end users to compare the energy efficiency of a conventional residential heating and hot water system with that of similar systems using renewable energies.

According to Clim Pratique, the Écosimulateur supplies all the technical data necessary to evaluate the financial costs of installing a heating system, promoting new energy sources. It also helps estimate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of solar or geothermal systems. This software integrates two copper-based technologies: solar water heating and geothermal heat pumps with horizontal sensors. Soon it will also feature geothermal heat pumps with vertical sensors.

Cicla ensures 95% reliability, as the results presented by the simulator are based on a simplified energy consumption analysis method for private homes (3CL). 3CL, which is used in energy performance diagnostics, was developed partly by Tribu, a thermal research centre.