By ~€870
Average annual electricity bill
Standard apartment, 2026 (ADEME)
Free
Cost to switch electricity supplier
No fees, no deposit, no interruption
−7%
Less heating cost per 1°C lower
Lower your thermostat to save directly
54%
Of energy budget goes to heating
Average French household (ADEME)
Where does your electricity budget go?
Before targeting the right savings, it helps to understand what drives your bill. For a typical French household, heating is by far the biggest item, accounting for 54% of total energy use (ADEME). In homes heated entirely by electricity, it can represent up to 70% of the annual bill. The tips below are ordered by impact, starting with the single most effective action: switching supplier.
The average electricity bill in France varies widely depending on home size, insulation quality, and whether you heat with electricity or gas. A studio without electric heating pays roughly €480/year; a fully electric house of 100 m² can reach €2,550/year.
| Type of use | Share of bill | Approx. kWh/year |
|---|---|---|
| Electric heating (radiators) | 60–70% | 5,000–12,000 |
| Hot water | 10–15% | 800–1,500 |
| Large appliances (washer, dryer, dishwasher) | 5–10% | 500–1,000 |
| Fridge and freezer | 5–8% | 300–550 |
| Electronic devices (TV, computers, box) | 3–5% | 200–500 |
| Lighting | 3–5% | 300–500 |
| Standby devices | 3–5% | 300–500 |
Source: ADEME. Values for homes with full electric heating. Gas-heated homes have a significantly lower electricity bill overall.
Tip 1: Switch to a cheaper electricity supplier
France's electricity market has been open to competition since 2007. While EDF remains the default supplier with its regulated Tarif Bleu, alternative suppliers offer competitive market rates that are often significantly cheaper. It costs nothing, takes one call, and your electricity is never interrupted.
This is the highest-impact action on this list: no technical work, no upfront cost, no effort beyond one phone call. Our English-speaking advisors compare every offer available at your address, find the cheapest deal, and handle the switch for you on the same call. Browse the current best offers for your home type below:
Your home type
- Fixed price for 12 months — no surprises if the regulated tariff rises
- 100% renewable with guarantee-of-origin certificates
- Selectra editorial score A — price, service and contract clarity
- Lowest €/kWh on the French market this month
- Optimised for 3 kVA contracts in this consumption bracket
- Fixed rate — price locked for the full contract duration
- Fixed price for 12 months — no surprises if the regulated tariff rises
- No fees, no interruption — switch online in under 10 minutes
- Selectra editorial score C — price, service and contract clarity
- Lowest €/kWh on the French market this month
- Optimised for 6 kVA contracts in this consumption bracket
- Variable price — can rise with market rates
- Fixed price for 12 months — no surprises if the regulated tariff rises
- No fees, no interruption — switch online in under 10 minutes
- Selectra editorial score C — price, service and contract clarity
- Lowest €/kWh on the French market this month
- Optimised for 9 kVA contracts in this consumption bracket
- Variable price — can rise with market rates
- Fixed price for 12 months — no surprises if the regulated tariff rises
- No fees, no interruption — switch online in under 10 minutes
- Selectra editorial score C — price, service and contract clarity
- Lowest €/kWh on the French market this month
- Optimised for 12 kVA contracts in this consumption bracket
- Variable price — can rise with market rates
Compare every electricity offer at your address
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Prefer to compare independently? Browse the best electricity suppliers in France or follow our step-by-step switching guide.
Tip 2: Switch to an off-peak electricity tariff
France's heures creuses / heures pleines (HC/HP) tariff splits your electricity into two price bands: a cheaper rate during an 8-hour off-peak window (typically overnight), and a higher rate during the remaining 16 hours. The off-peak kWh rate is 18.6% cheaper than the standard Base tariff, making this option attractive for anyone who can run large appliances at night.
HC/HP vs Base tariff: price comparison
At the EDF regulated tariff (Tarif Bleu, updated February 2026), the prices compare as follows:
| Option | kWh price (TTC) | vs Base |
|---|---|---|
| Base (standard, all hours) | €0.1940 | — |
| Off-peak hours — HC (8 h/day) | €0.1579 | −18.6% |
| Peak hours — HP (16 h/day) | €0.2065 | +6.4% |
EDF regulated tariff (TRVE), 6 kVA, in force from 1 February 2026. The HC/HP annual subscription (€187.82/year at 6 kVA) costs slightly more than the Base option (~€151/year).
Is the HC/HP tariff right for you?
Because peak-hour electricity is 6.4% more expensive than the Base rate, HC/HP only saves money if you can shift a meaningful share of consumption to the off-peak window. The general rule as of 2026: at least 26–30% of your total usage must fall during off-peak hours for HC/HP to beat the Base tariff on annual cost — a significantly lower bar than the ~60% required before the 2022 energy crisis, because the HC price has fallen faster than the Base rate.
Advantages
- Off-peak kWh is 18.6% cheaper than Base tariff (€0.1579 vs €0.1940)
- Potential savings of €50–€150/year once at least 26–30% of consumption falls in off-peak hours
- Free to activate — request via your supplier or Enedis
- Ideal for dishwashers, washing machines, hot water tanks, and EV charging
Disadvantages
- Peak-hour rate is 6.4% more expensive than the Base tariff
- Annual subscription costs slightly more than the Base option
- Only worthwhile if at least 26–30% of consumption falls in the off-peak window
- Less beneficial for small apartments with low total consumption
The 2025 off-peak hours reform: what changed
The reform redistributes France's daily off-peak window to make better use of the country's growing solar output. In summer (April–October): up to 3 off-peak hours shift to a daytime slot (11h–17h), with at least 5 consecutive overnight hours (23h–7h) remaining. In winter (November–March): all 8 off-peak hours remain overnight (23h–7h), unchanged.
For most households the practical effect is positive: running the dishwasher, washing machine, or EV charger at noon in summer now counts as off-peak. The total of 8 cheaper hours per day does not change — only the scheduling shifts. See the full heures creuses guide for schedule details by city.
Thinking of activating HC/HP or switching to a supplier with cheaper off-peak rates? Our advisors compare all offers in English — call +33 9 87 67 37 93 for a free comparison.
Tip 3: Set the right temperature at home
Heating dominates most electricity bills, making it the single most impactful area to target through usage habits. The good news is that small adjustments add up fast: lowering a room by just 1°C cuts your heating cost by approximately 7%. Adjusting temperatures to actual room use — rather than heating every room uniformly — is the easiest change with zero upfront investment.
Recommended temperatures by room
There is no need to heat every room to the same level. ADEME recommends the following settings as a balance between comfort and savings:
- Living room: 19°C (66°F) during the day, 16°C (61°F) at night ;
- Bathroom: 21°C (70°F) during shower times, 19°C (66°F) otherwise ;
- Bedrooms: 16°C (61°F) day and night ;
- Unoccupied rooms (corridor, toilets): 14°C (57°F).
In France, electricity has one of the lowest carbon intensities in Europe (around 21 gCO2/kWh in 2024) thanks to nuclear generation. Cutting heating consumption here saves money and reduces your environmental impact simultaneously.
Connected thermostats: 15–25% savings on heating
A smart thermostat lets you program and remotely control heating by room and by schedule. ADEME estimates that a properly configured connected thermostat reduces heating consumption by 15–25% compared to manual management. At a cost of €100–€300 for the device, most models pay for themselves within one or two heating seasons.
Smart thermostats compatible with standard French electric radiators can also be paired with the Linky smart meter to monitor real-time consumption by half-hour slot and pinpoint which rooms or appliances are driving costs.
Setting the right water heater temperature
Your hot water tank should be set to 55–60°C (131–140°F). This range prevents bacterial growth (Legionella risk appears below 50°C) while avoiding the overconsumption that comes from heating water above 65°C. Many tanks are factory-set too high — check the dial and adjust if needed.
Tip 4: Optimise your radiators and boiler
Even with the right thermostat settings, poorly maintained radiators waste the energy they consume. Two simple maintenance habits each deliver measurable savings — and one is a legal obligation in France that many expats overlook.
Optimising radiator heat diffusion
Make sure radiators have sufficient clearance around them. Sofas, curtains, or furniture placed directly in front of a radiator absorb the thermal output and prevent hot air from circulating into the room — forcing the radiator to run longer to reach the target temperature. Dust your radiators at least twice a year; accumulated dust on the heating element acts as insulation and measurably reduces heat output.
Purge hot-water radiators each autumn
For hot-water radiators fed by a central boiler, purging at the start of the cold season is essential. Air bubbles trapped in the circuit create cold spots and force the boiler to work harder. Purging takes under five minutes per radiator using a standard bleed key — available at any French hardware store (quincaillerie) for under €5.
Annual boiler servicing
Beyond the legal obligation, a professionally serviced boiler runs 8–12% more efficiently than a neglected one, directly reducing your annual bill. Regular servicing also extends the boiler's lifespan by several years and is the safest way to prevent a gas leak or carbon monoxide risk.
Tip 5: Reduce your appliance consumption
After heating, large appliances and electronic devices account for around 20–25% of a French household's electricity use. Most savings here come from usage habits rather than expensive upgrades — and the cumulative effect across a full year is significant.
Kitchen and cooking
A few consistent kitchen habits make a real difference over the course of a year:
- Heat water in a kettle before pouring it into a saucepan — faster and less energy than heating cold water on the hob ;
- Keep a lid on pans during cooking: it reduces heating time fourfold and saves up to 20% energy ;
- Turn the hob off two to three minutes before the end of cooking ;
- Skip oven preheating for most dishes — only necessary for cakes and pastry ;
- Never open the oven door mid-cook: each opening loses 20% of internal heat and extends cooking time ;
- Use induction hobs when possible — they use 50% less electricity than classic electric plates.
Fridges and freezers
Fridges and freezers run 24 hours a day, making proper use critical. Set your fridge to 3–4°C and your freezer to exactly −18°C — every extra degree of cold adds unnecessary consumption. Do not place them near an oven, radiator, or in direct sunlight, as this forces the compressor to work continuously at a higher load.
Defrost your freezer before 3 mm of frost accumulates. A frost build-up forces the compressor to work up to 30% harder, costing roughly €30 per year in wasted electricity. Leave a 10 cm gap behind and above both appliances for heat evacuation, and dust the rear air vents twice a year.
Standby devices
French households have between 15 and 50 devices on standby at any given time. Collectively, standby consumption represents 300–500 kWh per year — equivalent to €60–€100 on your annual bill. The simplest fix: plug all devices in a given room into one power strip and switch it off when you leave. One action covers the TV, set-top box, games console, and speakers simultaneously.
- Unplug phone and laptop chargers once the device is fully charged ;
- Set washing machine cycles to 30°C instead of 60°C — this saves up to 60% energy per cycle ;
- Run dishwashers and washing machines only on full loads, using eco mode ;
- Use a tumble dryer as little as possible — it consumes twice as much electricity as a washing machine.
Buy energy-efficient appliances
When replacing a major appliance, check the European Energy Label. Since 2021, the scale runs from A (best) to G (worst), replacing the old A+++ system still visible on older appliances. An A-rated fridge or washing machine uses significantly less electricity than a D or E-rated equivalent. ADEME estimates that choosing efficient appliances across a home's lifetime can save up to €3,000 in electricity costs.
For lighting, replace any remaining halogen or incandescent bulbs with LED equivalents — they use up to 80% less electricity and last 10 to 25 times longer. A French household has an average of 25 light sources; switching all of them to LED typically saves €30–€50 per year on the lighting portion of the bill alone.
Tip 6: Produce your own electricity with solar panels
Self-consumption means generating electricity at home — most commonly via roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels — and using it directly. Surplus production can be sold back to the national grid at a regulated buyback rate. For homeowners, this is one of the most effective long-term strategies to cut electricity costs, with panels typically paying for themselves in 8–12 years and lasting 25–30 years.
How solar self-consumption works in France
A residential installation of 3 kWc (around 10 panels) can generate roughly 3,000–4,000 kWh per year across most of France — covering 30–80% of a household's electricity needs depending on consumption and usage habits. When panels produce more than you use (typically around midday in summer), the excess feeds automatically into the national grid via a regulated buyback contract (obligation d'achat) through EDF OA.
The priority is always to maximise self-consumption by shifting usage to daytime hours — running the dishwasher at noon rather than midnight, for instance. Some green electricity suppliers in France offer complete installation and monitoring services. Contact France Rénov' on +33 8 08 800 700 (free service) for neutral, independent advice before committing to an installation.
The French government supports self-consumption via an investment bonus (prime d'investissement autoconsommation) paid every five years and worth €1,200–€10,000 depending on installation size. Sales of surplus electricity are also exempt from income tax below certain thresholds.
Heat pumps: more heat, less electricity
A heat pump does not generate heat — it moves it from outside to inside, using electricity only to power the mechanism. For every 1 kWh of electricity consumed, a modern heat pump delivers 3–4 kWh of heat, making it three to four times more efficient than a standard electric radiator.
The three main types available in France are: air-source (aerothermal, most affordable at €8,000–€12,000 installed), water-source (hydrothermal), and ground-source (geothermal, most efficient but also the most expensive at €15,000–€25,000). A well-maintained heat pump typically lasts 20+ years. All types qualify for MaPrimeRenov' grants — see Tip 8 below.
Tip 7: Improve your home's insulation
France has around 7 million poorly insulated homes — the so-called passoires thermiques (thermal sieves). If your home has thin walls, single-glazed windows, or an uninsulated roof, you are effectively paying to heat the outdoors. Insulation is a one-time investment that permanently reduces heating consumption, typically by 20–40%, without any change to usage habits.
The most cost-effective insulation actions in France, ranked by return on investment, are: attic insulation (€20–€60/m², saves 25–30% on heating), exterior wall insulation (€100–€200/m², saves 20–25%), double glazing (€300–€800 per window, saves 10–15%), and floor insulation (€20–€50/m², saves 5–10%). For a 100 m² house, a comprehensive renovation costs €30,000–€80,000 before financial aids — which can cover a substantial portion of that cost (see Tip 8).
France's energy renovation programme aims to eliminate all passoires thermiques rated F or G from the rental market by 2028. Even if you rent, it is worth knowing your home's DPE (energy performance certificate) rating — landlords of F and G-rated properties are legally required to carry out improvements on a defined timeline.
Tip 8: Claim government financial aid
France offers several schemes to help households reduce energy costs — from renovation grants to direct bill credits for low-income households. Some are sent automatically; others require a short application.
MaPrimeRenov': grants for renovation and heat pumps
MaPrimeRenov' is France's main government grant for energy-saving works and has replaced the old CITE tax credit. It is available to all homeowners, with amounts varying by income band. For heat pump installation, grants range from €3,000 to €11,000 depending on the type of pump and your income category. For a comprehensive renovation improving a home by at least two energy classes, the "parcours accompagné" pathway can cover up to 80% of works costs, up to €40,000. All works must be carried out by an RGE-certified professional (Reconnu Garant de l'Environnement). Applications are made via maprimerenov.gouv.fr.
Several other schemes complement MaPrimeRenov' — often stackable with it:
- Eco-PTZ (zero-interest loan): interest-free loan of up to €50,000 for qualifying energy renovation works, available to all homeowners without income conditions.
- VAT at 5.5%: reduced VAT on qualifying energy improvement works (insulation, heat pumps, double glazing) in homes over two years old.
- CEE (Energy Saving Certificates): energy suppliers are legally required to fund consumer energy savings — you can access €500–€5,000 per renovation gesture via your supplier.
- Local grants: your département, region, or municipality may offer additional contributions — call France Rénov' on +33 8 08 800 700 (free service) for what is available in your area.
Chèque Énergie: automatic credit for low-income households
The Chèque Énergie is a government energy voucher sent automatically to qualifying households each spring — there is no application required. It is calculated by the French tax authority based on your income and household size. Amounts range from €48 to €277 per year (average: €150) and are deducted directly from your electricity or gas bill. The cheque can also be used toward qualifying energy renovation works.
As an expat, if you have filed a French tax return, you may already qualify. If you believe you are eligible but did not receive the cheque, contact the dedicated helpline on +33 8 05 204 805 (free service, Mon–Fri 8am–8pm).
Ready to cut your electricity bill further?
Selectra's English-speaking advisors compare every electricity offer available at your address and switch you on the same call — completely free.
Where to start: the quickest wins
If you want to lower your electricity bill in France quickly and for free, switching supplier is the single most impactful step — free, takes one phone call, zero cost. Call +33 9 87 67 37 93 for a free English-language comparison, or use the offer widget at the top of this page.
For immediate free wins: lower your thermostat by 1–2°C and eliminate standby waste. For medium-term savings, the HC/HP off-peak tariff is worth activating if you can shift large appliance usage to overnight. For longer-term gains, MaPrimeRenov' grants now make heat pump installation and insulation works considerably more affordable than they were five years ago.
Frequently asked questions
Switching to a cheaper electricity supplier is the fastest and easiest action — it is free, takes one phone call, and requires no technical work. Use the comparator on this page to see current offers at your address, or call +33 9 87 67 37 93 for a free English-language comparison.
Lowering a room's temperature by 1°C reduces heating costs by approximately 7% (ADEME). Since heating typically accounts for 54% of a French household's total energy consumption, even small thermostat adjustments add up to meaningful annual savings with zero upfront investment.
The HC/HP off-peak tariff makes financial sense if at least 26–30% of your consumption falls in the off-peak window — a much lower bar than the ~60% required before 2022. It works particularly well for households running dishwashers, washing machines, hot water tanks, or EV chargers at night. For small apartments with very low total consumption, the higher peak-hour rate can still offset the benefit.
The main options are: MaPrimeRenov' (grants of €3,000–€11,000 for heat pumps, up to €40,000 for comprehensive renovation), the Eco-PTZ (zero-interest loan up to €50,000), TVA 5.5% on qualifying works, CEE contributions from energy suppliers, and the Chèque Énergie (€48–€277/year for qualifying low-income households, sent automatically). Call France Rénov' on +33 8 08 800 700 (free service) for personalised advice.
No. Switching supplier in France does not interrupt your electricity supply. The physical electricity comes from the same national grid managed by Enedis regardless of which company bills you. The switch is purely administrative — only the price and the billing company change. No deposit is required and no engineer visit is needed.