In a time of energy efficiency and high energy prices, is it too early to turn your heating back on?

As the temperature drops, should you turn your heating back on? Opinions are divided. While some have already taken this step, others are postponing the deadline in order to save money. The characteristics of the accommodation play a strong role, as does the sensitivity of each person.

As the year progresses, the cold returns. In recent weeks, temperatures have dropped and the question comes up: when to restart your heating? The answers are divided. Even more so at a time of energy sobriety and rising energy prices. The town hall of Orléans has made its choice. Since October 7, public buildings have gradually turned the heating back on.

As the depression emanating from Hurricane Kirk arrives in France, the degrees gradually drop. So much so that the question of heating arises a little earlier this year. At Orléans town hall, we decided to react quickly to this week’s drop in temperatures. “In view of the current weather conditions and those announced this week, the Orléans town hall has decided to anticipate the restart of heating in public buildings“, announces the city, in a press release dated October 7. The town hall is targeting as a priority “lnurseries, medico-social establishments, independent residences, multi-purpose rooms as well as schools“, before looking at its other buildings.

Faced with the problem, not everyone is in the same boat, especially individuals. The characteristics of the accommodation play a strong role, as does the sensitivity of each individual. “I won’t turn it back on for a month, I’m quite hot and I don’t really like the heatexplains a person from Loirétain. It’s 20 degrees at home, I don’t need it. I’ll turn it back on from 15 degrees and again, it depends.“

In Chevilly, in Loiret, this resident has not yet turned on his heating either. “I think we’ll turn the lights back on in a fortnight or a month because here, we have very thick walls and the weather is still very good, so for now it’s fine. Outside, it’s still cool, but when we come in, it’s still nice without having to turn anything on“, he is satisfied. Because the insulation of housing plays a big role. According to a report from the Ministry of Ecological Transition dating from July 2022, “5.2 million housing units (i.e. 17 % of the main residence stock) would be energy sieves“, classified F or G in the Energy Performance Diagnosis (DPE).

A real challenge for the French, 12 million of whom suffer from energy poverty, living in thermal sieves and/or do not have the means to heat themselves properly in winter. In response to this, during the 2022 presidential campaign, Emmanuel Macron announced that “700,000 homes per year would be renovated“during his second term. But behind this promise, if renovations increase, the reality is more complicated, as revealed by “Additional investigation”.

But beyond the insulation of homes, the rise in energy prices in recent years is putting a brake on turning on heating for many households. According to the latest figures from the National Energy Mediator, 26% of French people say they suffered from the cold during the winter of 2022-2023 and among them, 42% say the reason is financial. Between 2022 and 2023, electricity prices increased by 14.5%, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

“We wouldn’t be against one or two degrees more. But it’s true that given the price of electricity, today, we are careful“, admits a resident of Chevilly. The same goes for the shops. At the Chevilly café, Samantha Wafo, the manager, has decided not to turn the heating back on yet: “Maybe we will soon, when the temperatures have dropped further. Our customers are starting to get cold, but for now as long as we can save as much as possible, we will.“

Wood heating, a solution?

Others find ways to reduce bills, notably by heating with wood. This is the case for this retiree from Saran. “I lit the fireplace this week to avoid using electricity. I save quite a bit of energy like that.he says. Generally, I turn on the fireplace when it is 17°C in the house, I only turn on the radiators when it is too cold in winter and at off-peak times.“

In 2020, 7.4 million of the more than 30 million French households had at least one wood heating system, according to data from the Ministry of Ecological Transition. But only 1.2 million people use this mode of operation as their main heating at the moment. The trend for wood or pellet stoves, particularly as a means of reducing electricity costs, has been on the rise for several years. This is what Xavier de Feraudy, manager of a firewood sales company in Ardon, in the Loiret, can see. “Currently, it is very active. The first cold weather reminds our customers that they need to fill their reserves for the winternotes the wood seller. There is a lot of demand at this time, like every year.“

In view of the new increases expected in electricity prices with the increase in a tax, desired by the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, having a stove or a fireplace quickly becomes profitable. But you still need power. More than ever in 2024, the fear of energy poverty is present. Especially since it is becoming a public health issue. Housing conditions have been recognized as a major determinant of health by the World Health Organization (WHO).