French households cut energy bills by prioritising heating and off‑peak washing

An ADEME guide notes that heating accounts for roughly 66 % of a home’s energy consumption while hot water adds about 11 %, together representing 77 % of total usage. Reducing the thermostat by one degree can lower heating demand by around 7 %, and correctly programmed thermostats may cut heating consumption up to 15 %. Additional measures such as closing curtains, shutters and unused rooms help preserve heat.

Washing machines represent roughly 6 % of a typical household’s electricity use. Peak demand hours from 18:00 to 22:00 carry higher tariffs, whereas off‑peak periods between 22:00 and 06:00 offer reduced rates. Running machines during off‑peak hours and selecting eco‑wash modes below 40 °C further decreases both electricity and hot‑water consumption.