From November 1, millions of French people will have to adapt their behavior to avoid increasing their energy bills.
Energy occupies an important place in the household budget. Heating, hot water, household appliances, every gesture counts to limit expenses. Many households are looking to consume better and reduce their bills. However, an adjustment to the electricity pricing system will soon change the way in which we can limit our expenses. Without adaptation, the score could rise without us really knowing why.
Today, nearly 11 million French people benefit from a peak/off-peak hours contract. It is designed to reduce the bill by shifting consumption to certain time slots, often at night. But this system, which has long been advantageous, will evolve. The objective: to better distribute electricity consumption according to network availability and production from renewable energies.
Concretely, the so-called “off-peak” hours will no longer be concentrated only at night, but also distributed at other times of the day, particularly in the middle of the afternoon. The idea is to encourage consumers to use their devices when production is most abundant. To continue to benefit from the reduced rate, you will therefore have to adapt your uses: start the washing machine, dishwasher or water heater during these new time slots rather than in the evening.
This development is not necessarily disadvantageous; it just requires a little organization. Some households will even see a gain, particularly those whose presence at home during the day allows them to take advantage of these new off-peak hours. On the other hand, for households who mainly use their devices in the evening, the “peak hours/off-peak hours” option risks becoming less profitable. In this case, a basic rate, at a constant price throughout the day, may prove more suitable.
To find out which plan suits you best, consult the time slots applied to your contract and observe your habits. If your appliances allow it, program your washing or heating cycles for the most advantageous periods. Smart sockets or simple programmers can help you automate these changes. Finally, regularly comparing suppliers’ offers remains the best way to keep control of your electricity bill.
