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Price Rise of Energy in 2023: What Solutions?
At the beginning of this year, many French households and businesses are worried about the rising energy prices. These increases largely affect gas and electricity, as well as oil and wood and have been effective since January 1st, 2023. To address this issue, the government has introduced a tariff shield, which was already in place in previous years. This shield limits the increase of energy prices to 15%, a limitation higher than that of previous years, making this measure less effective than before. To give you an idea, households that heat their homes with gas can expect an extra +25 euros on their monthly bills compared to +20 euros for those heating with electricity. Other measures have been put in place, such as the energy check amounting to 100 to 200 euros subject to income conditions, automatically awarded to eligible households. Studapart is here to discuss the situation with you.
What Will Be the Amount of Energy Price Increase in 2023?
In 2023, the energy price increase varies depending on the type of energy. It mainly applies to gas and electricity, but also to oil and wood.
The increase will be limited to 15%, thanks to the tariff shield introduced by the state to limit the price increase. Households that heat their homes with gas will have to pay 25 more euros on their usual monthly bill, those who heat with electricity will see their bill increase by 20 euros. Without the tariff shield, these increases would have been 200 and 180 euros respectively. However, the government has put in place measures to help French people pay their energy bills; we'll discuss them below.
When Will Energy Prices (Gas, Electricity) Rise in 2023?
The energy price increase has been active since January 1st, 2023 for gas and is capped at 15% thanks to the tariff shield. Therefore, it has already been felt on your bills this month if you heat with gas.
For electricity, you will have to wait until February 1st to see the increase on your bill. This increase is also capped at 15%.
How Can You Cushion the Increase in Energy Prices?
Whether by looking into the offer provided by your energy supplier or at the state-funded aid available, there are several ways to counteract the increase in energy rates and cushion this expense:
The Energy Voucher
The energy voucher is a measure put in place by the government for all households (subject to income conditions) since 2018 and replaces social rates with the aim of helping the most needy households to pay their energy bills. Its attribution is automatic and calculated on your annual income. If you are eligible, you will receive this voucher directly at home. Whatever energy you use, its amount varies depending on your situation and can go up to 200 euros.
Changing Suppliers
The price of energy varies depending on suppliers. There are online comparators to help you determine which one is the most advantageous depending on your situation. You can change it at any time upon request. This process is free and unlimited, you can change suppliers as many times as you want and even go back to your old supplier. There is no period of commitment to respect.
Energy Savings
The most efficient way to reduce your bill remains that of saving. By monitoring your consumption, you could benefit from a significant reduction on your next bill. Make sure to turn off the lights and appliances when you don't need them. If you have opted for a full-time / off-peak contract with your supplier, think about consuming mainly during off-peak hours. Turn off the heating during peak times for example. If this is not the case, you can still make significant savings by monitoring your consumption.
Installing a More Efficient Heating System
By comparing the cost of different solutions to heat yourself, you will realize that some are more economical than others. This is the case with wood heating for example. You could choose to install a wood heating solution in your home, such as a fireplace or stove for example. This new installation will have a significant cost, but it will be compensated over the years by reducing the amount of your gas or electricity bill.
Insulating Your Home
Another way to lighten your bill and save energy is to make sure your home is well insulated. When you buy or rent an apartment or house, rely on the DPE index. It corresponds to the energy performance of the dwelling, i.e., it gives you an indication of its insulation. To know that better is the insulation, less you will have to spend energy for heat yourself. The government encourages households to do insulation work, including with the insulation premium.