To spend less and do good for the planet, it is possible to simply reduce your consumption of water, heat and electricity. Here is our selection of devices to help you.
What if consuming less energy was one of your good resolutions for 2019? The energy bill of each French household reached a record sum of 3,207 euros for 2013 alone, according to the General Commission for Sustainable Development. A mismanagement that weighs on the environment and your finances. Equipment exists to curb this trend.
A shower timer
While waiting for the first water recycling systems to become more democratic, there is no other choice but to reduce the duration of one’s toilet. You should know that a French person consumes 150 liters of drinking water per day, according to theAdeme (French Environment and Energy Management Agency). And personal hygiene is a big part of it: about 9 liters of water are swallowed up each time you flush the toilet or between 150 to 200 liters evacuated during a bath.
You can start by limiting your shower: not exceeding four minutes would be a great start. For this, it is possible to opt for the smart shower head Hydrao Shower Aloe (70 euros) which changes color depending on the volume of water consumed and limits your flow. The catch is obviously the price. But that would save up to 50 euros per person per year, according to the manufacturer. Note that it works without battery thanks to a microturbine. It also sends data via Bluetooth to your smartphone to assess your progress.
There is also the smart meter for the shower Amphiro a1, from 80 euros, which generates its energy thanks to the flow of water and permanently displays your consumption on its dial. He also shares his information with your smartphone. It promises to reduce your bill by a hundred euros per year.
Finally, if you are reluctant to invest in a device that is too expensive, you can always go for a shower timer with alarm, between 10 and 20 euros, which unfortunately works with batteries. A simple hourglass will also do the trick from 4 euros. But you will not be able to follow the evolution of your consumption.
A connected thermostat
Heating accounts for 28% of residential electricity consumption, according to RTE (Electricity Transmission Network). Acting on its regulation is certainly lowering its bill.
We no longer present connected thermostats like Nest * (170 euros) and Netatmo * (160 euros), Qivivo * (150 euros) or even Tado * (176 euros). They now cover the majority of collective or individual heating systems. Thanks to them, you program temperature ranges. They also detect your absence with their sensors, thus automatically lowering the heating if you are away for the weekend. The problem is the rather high price of this type of product and their installation which is not so obvious and sometimes requires calling in a professional. They all guarantee at least 10% energy savings but are not profitable in the first year.
There is also the intelligent thermostatic head system of Netatmo * (from 199 euros) or Tado * (from 160 euros) specially dedicated to collective heating. The pack consists of several valves each to be attached directly to a radiator. This makes it possible to cut off the heating and regulate the temperature room by room.
Here again, simpler and less expensive alternatives are possible such as the purchase of a simple heating thermostat not connected but programmable for around fifty euros. However, this type of device requires you to intervene directly on it and the savings will be less since they will not take any initiative if you are absent when this was not planned.
A standby cut-off
Large and small household appliances, audiovisual, IT, lighting and ventilation account for 51% of a household’s electricity consumption, according to the latest figures from RTE. An Internet box consumes an average of 180 kWh per year, which is more than a washing machine (160 kWh)! And you may not know it, but many devices continue to consume electricity if they are left plugged in, even when they are turned off.
You can equip yourself with a wattmeter, from 20 euros, to identify which equipment is fishing. You may have surprises, for example, discovering that a small lamp or a yogurt maker that you never use is pumping electricity to you on a daily basis. Maybe the equivalent of two or three euros per year each, but when you know that a household has an average of 99 electrical devices, you don’t hesitate to hunt down waste!
Then, the cheapest and most efficient solution is to invest in standby sockets. It simply means that the outlets have a switch. Your devices remain plugged in but you cut off their power. They are found from 3 euros.
Another very effective equipment, programmable smart plugs (from 10 euros) which do not require any physical intervention on your part. Ideal for a box to be deactivated at night. Finally, there are connected sockets that track your electricity consumption like the model Belkin WeMo Insight Switch (around 60 euros).
Less essential, connected switches detect movements such as Philips Hue Sensor (from 54 euros) and will only turn on the light if you are in the room. Connected lamps also make it possible to finely adapt the intensity of the lighting. But all of these products have the disadvantage of remaining permanently connected and therefore of constantly consuming electricity. It’s up to you to do the math and determine if their use is profitable!
* prices are given from, and promoted on Amazon.