In 2022, the increase in energy prices has greatly affected the purchasing power of French households. As winter is a pivotal period in energy consumption, it seems appropriate to reduce waste and over-equipment in homes knowing that, according to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe), the Heating accounts for 66% of household energy consumption. So, does lowering your heating by one degree generate real energy savings?
If a French household thinks it is necessary to increase its heating, this means that it is overheating, therefore overconsuming, or that the insulation of its home is faulty. Before betting on raising the thermostat, it would therefore be advisable to carry out a brief inventory to better understand your home, optimize your heating and thus save energy!
What does a one-degree drop in heating really do?
Through his infographic How to warm up better? “, the Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) remains formal on the subject: “ Heating and hot water production represent major expenditure items in a home. » Nevertheless, to initiate real energy savings, it is necessary to ask questions. Ademe explains that lower your heating by 1 degree leads to reducing its consumption by 7% on average and up to 15% if energy is perfectly controlled through its heating, of course, but also the daily use of hot water.
Should the temperature of a dwelling be the same in all rooms?
While an average temperature of 19°C is recommended in a house or apartment, it is often not the same in all rooms. It is therefore interesting to be able to control it in each of them and according to the presence of its inhabitants. You should know, still according to Ademe, that the ideal temperature of a room is around 17 ° C, that of a bathroom when it is used can reach 22 ° C – its humidity level being high – and living areas (kitchen, living room, dining room, etc.) can be set to 19°C. Rooms with infants or young children can register a temperature of 21°C.
Nevertheless, the perception of interior temperatures depends on the insulation of the accommodation, its humidity level, the type of heating used, but also good ventilation. Also, it is important to understand that a temperature regulated at 20°C in the living room of a poorly insulated house will cause an inevitable loss of several degrees. And if the temptation to want to increase the thermostats is great, it is necessary to keep in mind that its consequence will remain perceptible on the consumption and the energy bill!
What can you do to sustainably reduce your energy consumption?
The insulation of one’s home (wall, roof, windows, low floors) remains one of the first points to take into account in reducing one’s energy consumption, this solution being the most effective way to achieve this. The installation of an efficient heating method (high energy performance boiler, wood stove, heat pump, etc.) and its regular maintenance also lead to better controlled and sustainable consumption. THE Government renews certain aid each year to help French households in this process. The installation of mixer taps makes it possible to limit the consumption of hot water, as well as the fact of regulating your water heater. Finally, it remains advisable to evacuate the humidity of your house by airing it daily, without forgetting to turn off the heating upstream!