Winter 2025: Stay Warm, Waste Less

Set 19 °C in living spaces and 17 °C in bedrooms. Each degree you lower the thermostat can save around 7 % on heating over the season. For a deeper breakdown of numbers and scenarios, see Reduce electricity bill winter France 2025.

Let sunlight in during the day, especially on south-facing windows, and close curtains and shutters as soon as it gets dark. Free daylight is still the best extra heater. Combined with smart lighting choices, this pairs well with the tips from Autumn lighting: how to choose your bulbs.

Wool, linen, and organic cotton naturally regulate temperature and help avoid that cold, damp feeling. In 2025, recycled throws, wool blankets, and hemp rugs are making a comeback in cosy, low-impact homes. To align your wardrobe with this approach, explore Sustainable fashion 2025.

Turn off unnecessary lights and favour warm-tone, low-consumption lamps instead of very white lighting. A soft, golden atmosphere can make a room feel 1–2 °C warmer without touching the thermostat. For more practical ideas, see Autumn lighting: how to choose your bulbs.

Simple door draft stoppers, adhesive seals under doors, and silicone joints around windows can reduce heat loss by 5–10 % in a poorly insulated home. Before considering heavy renovation work, these small fixes nicely complement the advice in Green insulation: eco-materials and common mistakes.

Smart thermostats learn your habits and adjust temperature automatically based on your schedule and the weather. Many households report 15–20 % savings without any drop in comfort. Among the best-known brands are tado°, Netatmo, and Qivivo. These systems let you control heating room by room, remotely, and avoid heating an empty home. For a full guide, read Smart thermostats 2025 France.

Heating a bit less but for longer helps stabilise indoor temperature and avoids energy-hungry peaks. A stable temperature is easier on your appliances and keeps natural humidity in the air, which improves perceived comfort. We also cover this balance between warmth and humidity in Humidity and heating: finding the right balance.

After you turn off the oven, leave the door slightly open to let residual heat warm the kitchen or living room. It is a simple, zero-cost way to reuse energy you have already paid for. For seasonal recipes that warm the home while cutting waste, explore Zero-waste autumn cooking and Zero-waste winter cooking.

Many regions offer grants for thermal curtains, smart thermostats, or low-flow taps. Before buying equipment, check: - The official simulator on France Rénov - Additional support from CAF for low-income households - Green loans or zero-interest eco loans from banks To understand how these financing tools work, see Green home loans France 2025.

Hot drinks, reading, home cooking, and slower evenings all shape how winter feels. Often, real comfort comes more from rituals than from a higher thermostat setting. If you want to work on the inner side of a greener winter, you might like Reducing stress with green routines and Cycling through autumn.