How to Reduce Energy Consumption in France 2026

1. Understanding Your Energy Consumption

Before trying to reduce your consumption, it's essential to understand how it breaks down. In France, for an average household living in a 100 m² electrically heated home, consumption is distributed as follows:

Heating

~60%

Main expense category

Hot Water

~15%

Electric boiler or water heater

Appliances

~20%

Refrigeration, washing, cooking

Lighting & Media

~5%

TV, computers, lights

Tip: Use your Linky smart meter or your supplier's app to track your consumption in real-time and identify consumption peaks.

2. Optimizing Heating

Since heating is the primary consumption category, this is where the greatest potential savings lie.

Recommended Temperatures

Living areas: 19°C (each additional degree = +7% consumption)
Bedrooms: 16-17°C for optimal sleep
Short absence: 16°C in eco mode
Long absence (> 2 days): 12-14°C in frost protection mode

Effective Actions

Close shutters and curtains at nightfall (up to 10% savings)

Bleed your radiators at the start of winter

Don't cover radiators (furniture, curtains)

Install a programmable thermostat (10-25% savings)

Place reflectors behind radiators on external walls

Potential Savings

By applying these tips, you can reduce your heating bill by 15% to 25%, which is €200 to €400/year for an average household.

3. Appliances and Electronics

Refrigeration (Fridge, Freezer)

Refrigerator temperature: 4°C (not colder)
Freezer temperature: -18°C
Leave 5-10 cm behind the appliance for ventilation
Defrost regularly (3 mm of frost = +30% consumption)
Never put hot food in the refrigerator

Washing

Washing machine: prefer 30°C or cold program (90% of energy heats water)
Fill the machine completely
Use Eco program (longer but less energy-intensive)
Dishwasher: same logic, Eco program and full load
Avoid tumble dryer (very energy-hungry) when possible

Standby Power

Warning: Standby devices represent 10% of a household's electricity bill, about €80/year. Use power strips with switches to turn everything off at once.

4. Smart Lighting

Lighting only represents 5% of consumption, but small actions can make a difference:

LED mandatory: an LED bulb consumes 80% less than a halogen bulb
Turn off lights when leaving a room
Prioritize natural light (position desks near windows)
Install motion sensors in corridors
Dust your bulbs regularly

5. Hot Water

Set water heater to 55-60°C (no higher)
Program the water heater for off-peak hours if you have the option
Prefer showers (40-60L) to baths (150-200L)
Install faucet aerators: 30-50% less water
Fix leaks quickly (a dripping tap = 120 L/day)

6. Energy Renovation Grants

For greater savings, energy renovation work may be necessary. Several grants are available in France:

MaPrimeRénov': government grant for insulation, heating, ventilation work
CEE (Energy Savings Certificates): bonuses from energy suppliers
Éco-PTZ: zero-interest loan to finance work
Reduced VAT: 5.5% instead of 20% for energy renovation work

These grants can be combined and may cover a large portion of the work costs.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to reduce electricity consumption?▼

The most effective actions are: lowering heating by 1°C (7% savings), replacing bulbs with LEDs, unplugging standby devices, and using off-peak hours for large appliances.

How much can you save by adopting eco-friendly habits?▼

By applying all recommended actions, you can save between 20% and 30% on your energy bills, which is several hundred euros per year.

Which appliances consume the most electricity?▼

Electric heating represents about 60% of consumption, followed by hot water (15%), household appliances (20%) and lighting/multimedia (5%).

Is it worth investing in energy-efficient appliances?▼

Yes, a class A appliance consumes up to 50% less than a class D appliance. The investment is typically recovered in 3 to 5 years.

How to Reduce Energy Consumption in 2026