Reducing your electricity bill doesn’t necessarily require major work. A large part of the possible savings comes from simple habits applied day to day, combined with a few settings that cost nothing to change.
In brief
- Lowering heating by one degree already cuts the bill by several percent.
- Hunting down unnecessary standby power limits an invisible but continuous drain.
- Switching to LED bulbs sharply reduces the lighting item.
- A well-set water heater avoids a common and often overlooked waste.
- Maintaining appliances (fridge, washing machine) preserves their efficiency over time.
- Matching your subscribed power to your actual needs avoids paying for an oversized contract.
How much does an electricity bill cost on average
The amount of an electricity bill varies widely from one household to another, depending on the home’s size, heating type, number of occupants and consumption habits. For a home heated with electricity, the monthly bill most often falls between 100 and 200 euros, compared with 30 to 60 euros for a home heated with gas or wood that only uses electricity for lighting and appliances.
Comparing your own bill to this range gives a first indication: a bill significantly above average for a similar profile often signals a settings issue (heating, water heater) or an energy-hungry appliance, rather than an unavoidable feature of the home.
Adjusting heating without losing comfort
Heating is often the largest consumption item in a home, sometimes more than half of the total bill in winter. Lowering the temperature by one degree generally cuts the bill by 5 to 7%, with no real impact on perceived comfort. A programmer or thermostat allows automatic adjustment based on the home’s occupancy schedule: 19°C in living areas during the day, 16 to 17°C at night or during extended absences is enough in most cases.
Closing shutters and curtains at nightfall also limits heat loss through windows, a free habit that usefully complements thermostat settings.
Matching your subscribed power to your actual needs
The power subscribed with the electricity supplier (expressed in kVA) determines part of the subscription price, regardless of actual consumption. An oversized power level compared to the home’s needs means paying a more expensive subscription every month, with no benefit.
Conversely, a power level that is too low causes frequent trips when several appliances run at once. Most suppliers offer a simulator to check whether the current power level matches the home’s profile (size, electric heating or not, number of large appliances). An adjustment, upward or downward, is usually free once a year.
Limiting standby power and idle appliances
Appliances on standby (internet box, TV, chargers, game console) consume continuously, even when apparently off. This invisible consumption can add up to several dozen euros a year on a bill. A power strip with a switch makes it easy to cut several devices at once, especially in the evening or during extended absences, without having to unplug each socket individually.
Optimising the home’s lighting
| Bulb type | Average consumption | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Halogen | 40-60 W | 1,000 to 2,000 h |
| LED | 5-10 W | 15,000 to 25,000 h |
Replacing remaining halogen bulbs with LEDs remains one of the fastest-paying-off investments, often within less than a year. Beyond the choice of bulb, a few simple habits reinforce the effect: systematically switching off when leaving a room, and favouring natural light during the day by keeping windows uncovered rather than leaving shutters half-closed.
Checking the water heater’s settings
A water heater set too high (above 55-60°C) consumes energy unnecessarily, with no real comfort gain since the water is mixed with cold water at the tap anyway. Regular home maintenance also helps spot this kind of setting to correct, often left at default since the appliance was installed.
If the electricity contract includes off-peak hours, programming the water heater to run only during that window (often at night) makes it possible to benefit from a reduced kWh rate, without changing hot water usage habits.
Maintaining equipment to preserve efficiency
A poorly maintained fridge or washing machine consumes more. Regularly defrosting the fridge, cleaning the washing machine filter, or checking door seals are simple habits that limit overconsumption. When in doubt about an appliance’s condition, it is worth asking whether to repair or replace it before it becomes too energy-hungry.
Understanding consumption to act effectively
These habits make full sense once you know where the electricity you consume actually goes. Learning to read your electricity bill helps identify the items to watch first. For older homes, these everyday savings usefully combine with more structural work, such as attic insulation, which durably reduces heating needs.