How to Reduce Your Energy Bill in France in 2026: A Practical Guide

How to reduce your energy bill in France in 2026

Energy in France isn't cheap, and it hasn't been for a while. Regulated electricity tariffs (TRVE) were abolished for most households at the end of 2024, leaving people on market offers where prices fluctuate. Gas prices moved sharply in early 2026. And heating still accounts for around 60 to 70% of a typical household's energy use, according to ADEME (Agence de la transition écologique).

The good news: most of the actions that actually make a dent on your bill are either free or low-cost. The rest — insulation, equipment upgrades — come with substantial government subsidies in 2026. This guide covers both, in order of what gives you the fastest return.

No inflated promises. Where figures are cited, the source is named.

Part 1: Eco-gestures — free changes that work immediately

Lower your thermostat to 19°C

The French energy code (décret n°2012-1342 and the Grenelle framework) sets 19°C as the reference comfort temperature for living spaces in occupied homes. ADEME confirms the rule of thumb: each degree you lower your thermostat saves roughly 7% on your heating bill.

In practice: if your home currently runs at 21°C and you drop to 19°C, you could cut heating costs by around 14%. Bedrooms can go to 17°C at night. Unoccupied rooms — 14 to 16°C.

A programmable thermostat costs between €30 and €150 installed. A connected thermostat (Netatmo, Tado, Somfy) gives you room-by-room control and typically saves an additional 10 to 15% on top of manual setpoint reductions, according to ADEME's 2025 household energy efficiency report. Neither requires a professional installation.

Set your hot water cylinder to 55°C — not higher

Hot water heating is the second-largest energy use in most French homes, typically 10 to 20% of the bill. The correct temperature for a domestic hot water tank (chauffe-eau or ballon d'eau chaude) is 55°C. ADEME recommends this as the minimum to prevent Legionella bacteria, and the maximum you actually need.

Tanks set above 60°C — which many installers default to — consume significantly more energy for no functional benefit. Check your tank's thermostat dial and adjust it. Takes two minutes.

While you're at it: if your contract includes heures creuses (off-peak hours, typically between 22h00 and 06h00), make sure your water heater is programmed to run during those hours only. Off-peak electricity typically costs 30 to 40% less per kWh than peak rates.

Switch to LED lighting

If you still have halogen or incandescent bulbs anywhere in your home, replacing them with LEDs cuts lighting energy use by 75 to 80%, according to ADEME's guide to household equipment. LED bulbs now cost €2 to €5 each and last 15,000 to 25,000 hours — around 15 years at average use. The payback period is typically under one year.

The calculation is simple: a 60W incandescent replaced by an 8W LED, used 4 hours per day, saves roughly €8 to €10 per bulb per year at current French electricity prices. In a home with 20 bulbs, that adds up.

Install thermostatic radiator valves (robinets thermostatiques)

Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs, or robinets thermostatiques in French) attach to individual radiators and cut the flow of hot water once the room reaches the desired temperature. They're one of the most cost-effective upgrades available: typically €10 to €30 per valve, installable without a plumber.

In a central heating system without TRVs, the boiler heats water continuously whether or not individual rooms need it. With TRVs, bedrooms and unused rooms can be kept cooler while living areas stay comfortable. ADEME estimates TRVs can reduce heating consumption by 10 to 25% depending on the home layout.

Note: TRVs don't work well in single-pipe (monotube) systems common in older French buildings. Check your system type before buying.

Draught-proofing (calfeutrage)

Air infiltration — gaps around window frames, under doors, around electrical outlets, and at skirting boards — can account for 7 to 15% of heat loss in older homes, according to ADEME's 2024 insulation guide.

Self-adhesive foam strips for windows and doors cost €5 to €15 per door or window and take 20 minutes to fit. Door threshold strips cost €15 to €30. These are among the fastest-payback investments in home energy efficiency: materials often pay for themselves in a single winter.

Part 2: Equipment — medium-term investments

Understand your DPE rating

The Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique (DPE) rates buildings from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient). Since 2025, renting a G-rated property has been prohibited in France; F-rated properties cannot have rent increases; E-rated properties will be prohibited from rental from 2034 (under the loi Climat et Résilience).

If you own your home, your DPE rating tells you directly where the energy losses are. A certified diagnostiqueur can produce a DPE for €100 to €250. The report includes prioritised recommendations for renovation works and estimates the likely energy savings for each.

If you're renting and your landlord has not provided a DPE, you can request one. For properties rated F or G, the landlord is legally required to undertake renovation before 2028.

Insulation: where to start

Around 25 to 30% of heat loss in a typical French home is through the roof, according to ADEME. Walls account for another 20 to 25%. Windows and doors contribute 10 to 15%. The floor, 7 to 10%.

For most homes, roof insulation (isolation des combles) gives the best return per euro: costs are relatively low, the works are fast (often one day), and the savings are significant. External wall insulation (isolation par l'extérieur) is more expensive but very effective in pre-1975 construction where there are no cavity walls.

New double or triple glazing reduces window-related heat loss substantially, but the payback period is longer — typically 10 to 15 years depending on energy prices and the quality of existing windows.

Heat pumps and condensing boilers

If you have an old fuel oil boiler (chaudière fioul), replacing it with an air-source heat pump (pompe à chaleur air/air or air/eau) or a condensing gas boiler (chaudière à condensation) can reduce heating energy consumption by 30 to 50%, depending on the system and house.

Heat pumps work by extracting heat from outside air — even at -10°C, there is usable thermal energy in the air — and concentrating it indoors. A modern heat pump achieves a coefficient of performance (COP) of 3 to 4, meaning it produces 3 to 4 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity it consumes.

Condensing boilers are a more modest upgrade for gas-heated homes: they recover heat from exhaust gases that conventional boilers waste, improving efficiency by 10 to 15%.

Both are eligible for MaPrimeRénov' subsidies in 2026 (see next section).

Part 3: Financial assistance in 2026

MaPrimeRénov'

MaPrimeRénov' is the French government's main renovation subsidy, administered by Anah (Agence nationale de l'habitat). In 2026, it covers insulation, heat pumps, condensing boilers, wood-burning stoves, solar water heaters, and ventilation works.

Eligibility and amounts depend on household income and the type of work. Anah divides households into four income bands (bleu, jaune, violet, rose — from lowest to highest income). In 2026:

• Very modest income households (bleu) can receive up to 90% of eligible costs for heat pump installation
• Modest income households (jaune): up to 75%
• Intermediate households (violet): up to 60%
• Higher income households (rose): up to 40%

Income thresholds for 2026 are published on anah.fr and france-renov.gouv.fr. The application must be submitted and approved before work begins — starting work first disqualifies you from the subsidy.

To apply, go to maprimerenov.gouv.fr. Works must be carried out by a certified RGE (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement) professional. For a complete breakdown of eligibility conditions, income categories, and work types, see the MaPrimeRénov' 2026 complete guide. For a complete breakdown of eligibility conditions, income categories, and work types, see the MaPrimeRénov' 2026 complete guide.

CEE — Certificats d'Économies d'Énergie

The CEE scheme (Certificats d'Économies d'Énergie) requires energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in French homes. In practice, this means suppliers (EDF, Engie, TotalEnergies, and others) offer "primes énergie" — discounts or cheques — when you complete eligible works.

CEE bonuses are separate from and cumulative with MaPrimeRénov'. They apply to insulation, thermostats, TRVs, condensing boilers, heat pumps, and more. Amounts vary by supplier and change regularly. The easiest way to check current offers is through france-renov.gouv.fr or via the installer's quote.

The "coup de pouce" CEE bonuses, which were enhanced subsidies for switching from oil heating to heat pumps or condensing boilers, were extended into 2026 for modest-income households.

Éco-PTZ (interest-free loan for renovation)

The éco-prêt à taux zéro (éco-PTZ) allows you to borrow up to €50,000 interest-free for energy renovation works. As of 2026, there is no income condition — any homeowner can apply. The loan is available through participating banks (listed on service-public.fr).

You can combine éco-PTZ with MaPrimeRénov' to cover works where subsidies don't reach 100% of cost.

Part 4: Supplier and contract choices

TRV (regulated tariff) — does it still exist?

The regulated sales tariff for electricity (Tarif Réglementé de Vente, TRVE) was abolished for residential customers at the end of 2024. In 2025 and 2026, all residential electricity contracts are market-based offers from suppliers including EDF, Engie, TotalEnergies, Ohm Énergie, and many others.

Gas regulated tariffs were abolished earlier, in 2023.

This means there is no longer a "default" tariff to fall back on. If you haven't actively chosen a contract, you're on your supplier's standard market offer, which may or may not be competitive.

Fixed vs indexed pricing

French energy contracts come in two main forms:

**Fixed-price contracts** (prix fixe): the price per kWh is set for the contract duration — typically one or two years. You know exactly what you'll pay and are protected against price rises during that period. If market prices fall, you don't benefit.

**Indexed contracts** (prix indexé): the price per kWh follows a market index, usually the EPEX spot price (wholesale electricity market price). These contracts can be cheaper when wholesale prices are low, but they expose you to price spikes.

Neither is inherently better. Fixed pricing suits people who want predictability. Indexed pricing can pay off during periods of low wholesale prices.

To switch supplier, you need your PDL (Point de Livraison) number — it's on your electricity bill. Switching is free, takes around 10 minutes online, and involves no interruption to supply. Your new supplier handles the administrative process.

See our guide to changing electricity supplier for a step-by-step walkthrough.

Heures creuses / heures pleines (off-peak/peak tariffs)

If you have a Linky meter, you can request a heures creuses tariff. Off-peak periods (heures creuses, HC) are typically between 22h00 and 06h00, sometimes also 12h00 to 14h00 — the exact hours depend on your area (ask your supplier or check Enedis's website).

During HC periods, electricity costs roughly 30 to 40% less per kWh than peak hours (heures pleines, HP). Whether the HC tariff saves you money depends on how much of your consumption you can shift to off-peak hours. If you can move at least 30% of your usage — primarily hot water heating, dishwasher, washing machine — to off-peak hours, HC tariff is generally advantageous. Below that threshold, a simple flat-rate tariff is often cheaper because the higher HP price eats into savings.

Part 5: Monitoring your consumption with Linky

Linky is the smart meter Enedis has installed in nearly all French homes (target: 35 million meters by end of 2025). If you have a Linky, you can access detailed consumption data through the Enedis website (mon-compte-enedis.fr) or the Enedis mobile app.

What Linky lets you see:

• Daily consumption, updated every 24 hours
• Half-hourly consumption (if you've activated this on your Enedis account)
• Your load curve — a graph of consumption over time, useful for spotting which periods you use the most electricity

In practice, Linky data is most useful for two things. First, checking whether an HC tariff would actually save you money — you can see exactly what percentage of your consumption falls in off-peak hours. Second, identifying unusual consumption spikes that might indicate a failing appliance or a device left running.

To activate detailed data access, log in to mon-compte-enedis.fr and enable "données de consommation détaillées" (detailed consumption data). This is not activated by default — you have to opt in.

Most major electricity suppliers also offer their own consumption tracking apps (EDF Mon Énergie, Engie, etc.) which pull from Linky data and present it in a more user-friendly format.

Available subsidies: quick reference

For current amounts and eligibility thresholds: anah.fr, france-renov.gouv.fr, service-public.fr

Frequently Asked Questions

**Does lowering the thermostat by 1°C really save 7% on the heating bill?**

Yes. This figure comes from ADEME (Agence de la transition écologique) and reflects the average relationship between indoor temperature and heating energy demand in French residential housing. The exact saving depends on your heating system, insulation level, and climate zone, but 7% per degree is a reliable planning figure. Source: ADEME guide "Chauffage et climatisation" (updated 2025).

**Can I still access regulated electricity tariffs in 2026?**

No. The TRVE (Tarif Réglementé de Vente d'Électricité) for residential customers was abolished at the end of 2024. All residential electricity contracts are now market-based. There are no grandfathered regulated tariffs remaining for households.

**Who is eligible for MaPrimeRénov' in 2026?**

All owners of residential properties in France that are at least 15 years old can apply. That includes main residences and rental properties. The subsidy amount depends on household income (Anah's four bands) and the type of work. Tenants cannot apply — only property owners. The most recent income thresholds are on anah.fr.

**What is the difference between CEE and MaPrimeRénov'?**

Both are French government-backed mechanisms to subsidise energy renovation. MaPrimeRénov' is a direct subsidy paid by the state (via Anah). CEE bonuses are paid by energy suppliers, who are legally required to fund efficiency improvements as part of their obligations under the Energy Code (Code de l'énergie). You can stack both for the same project.

**Does switching electricity supplier cut off my power?**

No. In France, the electricity network is managed by Enedis (the distribution network operator), which is separate from your commercial supplier. Changing supplier only changes who bills you — the physical infrastructure remains the same and there is no interruption. The switch is free and takes around 2 to 4 weeks to process.

**Is Linky mandatory?**

Enedis is legally authorised to install Linky meters under French law (loi de transition énergétique 2015). The meter replacement is mandatory. However, you can refuse to have your detailed half-hourly consumption data collected — you can opt out of this specific feature while still having the meter. Contact Enedis or go to mon-compte-enedis.fr to manage your data preferences.

**What DPE rating will make my property unrentable?**

From 1 January 2025, properties with a DPE rating of G (energy consumption above 450 kWh/m²/year) cannot be rented out in mainland France. Properties rated F cannot have rent increases. From 2028, properties rated F will also be prohibited from rental. E-rated properties are affected from 2034. These rules apply to new rental contracts; existing leases have transition periods. Source: loi Climat et Résilience (loi n°2021-1104).

**How much does a Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique (DPE) cost?**

A DPE carried out by a certified diagnostiqueur typically costs between €100 and €250, depending on property size and region. The DPE is valid for 10 years (with some exceptions for older, pre-2021 DPEs which have been invalidated). You can find certified diagnostiqueurs on the ADEME DPE database (observatoire-dpe-audit.ademe.fr).

Sources

• ADEME (Agence de la transition écologique): Guide "Chauffage et climatisation", Guide "Isolation thermique" — état au 2025–2026. ademe.fr
• Anah (Agence nationale de l'habitat): Barèmes MaPrimeRénov' 2026 — anah.fr, france-renov.gouv.fr
• Code de l'énergie: Articles relatifs aux CEE (L.221-1 et suivants)
• Loi Climat et Résilience (loi n°2021-1104): Calendrier d'interdiction des passoires thermiques
• Enedis: Linky deployment and data access — enedis.fr, mon-compte-enedis.fr
• Service-Public.fr: Éco-PTZ conditions 2026 — service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F19905

Related articles

• Changing electricity supplier in France 2026
• Understanding your electricity bill
• MaPrimeRénov' — complete renovation guide
• Linky meter guide
• Electricity prices 2026 — complete guide
• Energy check 2026 — amounts and eligibility

This article is for information purposes only. Subsidy amounts and eligibility conditions are set by the French government and may change. Before starting any works, verify current conditions on anah.fr and france-renov.gouv.fr. This site does not provide financial advice or recommend specific providers or products.

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Related guides

• MaPrimeRenov 2026 guide