Energy

When is ‘chauffage collectif’ (communal heating) switched on in France?

Around one in five people have a communal heating system

Gas bills expected to reduce in France this September

A slight drop is to come after months of significant increases

How to save energy and money running your swimming pool at French home

Try these tweaks to avoid excess electricity and water bills

magazine

Linky meter power reduction test in French homes considered a success

The scheme is not expected to be used again in the foreseeable future

Solar panel scams affect one in three buyers in France

Unscrupulous practices include excessive delays, exaggerated promises, and pressure to sign up ‘on the spot’, says consumer group

Gas bills rise in France: compare energy providers

Around 10.5 million households in France use gas as their main source of energy. Prices are set to rise from July 1. Providers include Ohm Energie, TotalEnergie, Happ-e (a subsidiary of Engie) and EDF (Électricité de France)

Gas bills in France to rise by almost 12% on July 1

The hike affects some 10 million households in France that use gas as their main energy source

New rise in gas prices for homes in France in June

It comes after a rise in the ‘benchmark’ price

Electricity bills: Engie and other firms criticised for bad practice

Underestimated monthly invoices and illegal late billing are among ‘recurring’ issues, says mediator

France to build more reactors as nuclear prioritised

At least six new reactors and potentially as many as 14 could be built to meet climate change goals

France revamps energy renovation grants scheme to boost take-up

MaPrimeRénov’ rules for homeowners and tradespeople to become simpler after applications plummet

You do not have to pay ‘catch-up’ French energy bills if sent too late

There is a set period in which ‘regularisation’ bills must be delivered

Warning over Linky electricity meter frauds in France

Scammers pose as Enedis workers and charge fees to tamper with boxes to reduce bills

What can I do if I have lost my French energy voucher?

The chèque énérgie vouchers can be used to pay bills, as well as certain renovations

New energy cheque in France: you may need to apply this year

An estimated one million eligible households will not receive the cheque automatically for ‘technical reasons’

Taxes, banks, energy: Five French practical updates

Our recap of the most important articles you may have missed

Six tips for comparing energy suppliers in France to lower bills

Looking at offers from competing suppliers - away from the regulated EDF and Engie tariffs - could save money over the course of your contract

Couple who built a straw bale house in France share their one regret

The Britons have reduced their annual energy bills to €500 by living off-grid and want to pass on the lessons they have learnt

Monitor electricity use, predict shortages - five French apps to help

We look at how the most popular energy apps could help you manage consumption and plan ahead

€250 local energy cheque available for some in France but apply soon

Here are the conditions

Your smartphone can cut energy bills by 25%, says French tech expert

Most homeowners already have the technology on their phones to manage heating and household appliances but do not use it

French renovation grant to target old gas boiler replacement

From January 1 MaPrimeRénov’ scheme will also focus on cooling homes and increase grant limits to €70,000 for low-income households

Engie and EDF to reward clients in France who save energy

Cash rewards and Paris 2024 tickets are among the prizes up for grabs this winter

Aid announced for people to buy radiator thermostats in France

The aid will cover up to 80% of the installation costs and comes as part of a raft of new energy- and fuel-saving measures

Act now if you want copies of regulated tariff French gas bills

After September 30 these bills will no longer be available to download

See how France’s electricity prices compare with others in Europe

France’s price cap has meant rates have stayed low - although not the lowest

How much will electricity tariffs rise in France in 2024?

A forecast from the energy commission president was seized upon as an ‘announcement’ of a 10-20% rise but will bills really go up that much?

Watch out for new energy bill scam in France

The email includes bank details and a phone number and warns customers of an ‘unpaid bill’

Price rises but no power cuts: France’s winter electricity forecast

Head of Enedis says the situation has improved since last winter

Chart: See how France’s inflation compares within the Eurozone

We also look at the figures for the UK and US - and how they differ from the same time the year before

What is new and what changes in France in September?

From train services to Spain, and pension reforms, to major roadworks, we highlight key changes

If you heat French home with wood pellets now may be good time to buy

Prices unlikely to dip further before the cold weather arrives. We also look at fuel oil (fioul) prices

Anger over huge bills from alternative electricity providers in France

Bills of over €9,000 have been reported. Providers say it is linked to rising supply costs, but a consumer collective says suppliers are breaking the law

Fighting false claims about green credentials in France

Learn why some firms regularly exaggerate their green credentials

Should France ban new gas boilers? The case for and against

They are used by over 11 million homes in France but emit significant greenhouse gases

Tips and help on navigating the new changes to France’s gas market

Regulated gas prices in France have now ended. We explain the changes and the options now open to you

How does France want to cut energy consumption this summer?

From limiting air conditioning to driving slower, Paris has issued a number of recommendations to cut energy use

French towns introduce ‘smart’ street lights which locals can turn on

The innovative system allows towns to save money by switching off street lights overnight, without compromising the safety of people walking home

How can I use my French chèque énergie gas or electricity vouchers?

This year’s vouchers began to be sent out last month and here we look at what you can do with them

Reminder: Deadline to apply for wood energy vouchers is approaching

You have until May 31 to request government help with your wood heating bills

Meet the French baker using solar power to make bread

Arnaud Crétot says his bakery can produce 110kg of bread on a sunny winter day in Normandy

Financial boost for homeowners selling solar power in France

Now may be the time to invest in solar panels in France, as changes to installation grants and prices paid for surplus power benefit homeowners

What changes in France in May and need-to-know dates

The coming month will see additional pension reform protests, mosquitos, tax return deadlines and more

Energy customers in France get cash bonus for saving power over winter

TotalEnergies said around 1.2 million of its clients qualified for a payout of up to €120 after cutting consumption

Union threat to turn out lights at Cannes, Monaco F1 and French Open

It is part of ongoing protests against France’s controversial pension reforms

Date outlined for when France will end price freezes on energy bills

The French government spent €24 billion on subsidising energy bills last year. The policy will slowly be phased out

Will MPs back draft bill to ban digital advertising panels in France?

Critics of digital billboards say they waste energy and represent a new stage of the advertising invasion

Lyon restaurants turn out the lights to protest soaring energy bills

Dozens of restaurants served dinner by candlelight to highlight enormous financial difficulties

Reminder: You have until March 31 to spend last year’s energy vouchers

The vouchers, worth up to €277, are aimed at helping low-income households pay their energy bills

France sets date for when delayed energy cheques will be sent out

The sending out of the cheques, intended to help low-income households pay their energy bills, was postponed earlier this month

Crack discovered at another French nuclear plant

The latest one was found at Cattenom in eastern France. It comes just two days after a fissure was found at one of the country’s largest nuclear plants in Normandy

Will France send out two energy vouchers this year?

A reader in France recently received a chèque énergie, and would like to know whether this is instead of or in addition to the usual energy voucher which is sent out in April

Scams, squatters and price slumps: Five French property updates

Plus why a government cheque to help pay soaring energy bills has been delayed

What are France’s energy cheques and why have they been delayed?

The financial assistance is usually sent out at the end of March or early April. But this year it has been delayed

Plans for a giant solar park anger residents in south-west France

First it was wind turbines but now it is 44,000 photovoltaic panels that are at the heart of tensions in the Lot

Eight questions about installing solar panels on homes in France

We look at government aids available, how to sell surplus energy and what permission requests are needed both for homeowners and businesses

Does the gas price freeze apply to all contract types in France?

We look at what the Médiateur National de l’Energie (MNE) says about the gas price freeze

How to choose the right lightbulb in France

Changing your lightbulbs can be an easy way to save money, and a new law in France will make it even easier to identify the most efficient bulbs

New scam doing rounds in France over ‘boxes’ for electricity meters

Fraudsters are looking to capitalise on people’s fears over rising energy bills. Here is how to avoid falling victim

End of regulated gas prices in France – how to find the best deal

We get expert advice on comparison sites, contracts and what will happen if you don’t take action before June 30

Electricity prices are rising in France: How much more will you pay?

More than 20 million households are set to be affected by the increase. Here is what to expect

9 changes for residents and homeowners in France in February 2023

Covid isolation rules, an end to free exchange of SNCF tickets, more eco-friendly renovations money, a new energy price shield… we look at key changes happening this month

How do I make use of my French chèque énergie voucher?

There are several ways in which these energy vouchers can be used to pay your bills

Explainer: Who will receive France's €100-€200 extra energy aid

Twelve million households are eligible with the first amounts due to be sent out during the Christmas holidays

Rising energy bills in France: we recap the aid available in 2023

The RTE network says pressure on the grid is lowering but asks that people remain careful as temperatures drop

France looks to extend electricity tariff ‘shield’ to flat owners

A retroactive capped rate could be put in place for copropriétés to protect people living in shared buildings from soaring energy costs

Algae farm windows help French flats go green

The initiative allows firms to make money from harvesting the crop while at the same time reducing energy consumption in the building

More towns take away street advertising signs in France

Mayors say that the boards cause visual clutter and use too much energy

Could second-home owners in France save with EDF’s Tempo contract?

A Tempo electricity contract could be an interesting option for people who do not spend much time in France during winter

How much will French gas bills increase from January 2023?

The government has maintained a cap on regulated gas tariffs but has allowed them to rise

Energy bills, fuel aid: key points of PM's new announcements

Élisabeth Borne has outlined measures to be introduced for the public and business in 2023 in an interview, where she also spoke about retirement and pensions