How are the French preparing and considering energy savings for this winter?

Who should be the most energy sober?

Regarding the issue of energy sobriety, the French have a clear opinion: more than 54% think that individuals should make less effort than professionals. Only 39% believe that the efforts should be equivalent and 4% that it is up to individuals to make more savings.

For or against the drop in house temperatures this winter?

As for lowering the temperature in homes when the thermometer is at its lowest, the French are very divided: 48% believe it is a good idea but 39% think not and 13% do not still don't know how to answer this question.

Moreover, between knowing that lowering temperatures is a good idea and doing it, there is also a gap. In fact, 45% of those questioned declare that they will effectively reduce the heating of their homes by a few degrees this winter, but 44% admit that they will not and 11% have not yet made their decision.

How much down?

Lowering the temperature of their home does not mean that the French will stay at 18°C. Thus, the comfort temperature of the living room of the French this winter will be for 33% between 20°C and 18°C, for 31% between 22°C and 20°C and for 29% between 24°C and 22°C. It therefore seems that the recommendations to lower temperatures between 18°C ​​and 19°C are not fully respected in practice.

How do you really save money?

To really lower the energy bill, the French have some good ideas. Thus, 77% consider that good insulation of walls, ceilings and floors is the most effective solution.

In second place, 65% think that solar heating is relevant and 61% that high-end radiators should be installed.

“In fact, it is the accumulation of all these solutions that makes a home efficient and therefore enables significant energy savings to be made. If you have cardboard walls, solar heating will not be more interesting. On the other hand, properly insulating your house, combining a solar heating system with top-of-the-range radiators equipped with remote thermostats, while closing your shutters at night, is the winning formula for great energy savings”, said Jean-Alexandre GRUNELIUS, CEO of Rothelec.

More than 1 in 2 French people plan to change heating

In May 2022, more than 47% of French people were already planning to change or improve their heating system. In September, they are more than 51% in this case, an increase of 4 points in just 4 months.

Electric still the No. 1 choice

If electricity is still the number choice of the French, it however fell from 39% in May to 36% in September. Gas, for its part, actually drops from 33% to 24%, while solar rises from 11% to 23%. Wood heating also increases from 9% to 19%.