In 2024, millions of French people say they will not be able to heat adequately due to the poor thermal quality of their homes or rising energy costs. On the occasion of the national day against energy poverty – Tuesday 12 November – associations are mobilizing throughout France to raise awareness of this situation which continues to worsen.
To shed light on the phenomenon, the national energy broker created a barometer (1) after interviewing almost 2,000 families. It appears that more than 5.6 million households, or more than 12 million people, have admitted to suffering from energy poverty.
► 68% of families have seen their bills increase
Nearly seven in ten households (68%) have noticed an increase in their electricity bills in 2024, an increase they attribute primarily to rising energy prices. Same observation among gas users: 66% of them say they pay more.
While energy bills remain a top concern for 86% of consumers, they are slightly less concerned than in 2023, when they were 89%.
► Half of consumers were misinformed by their supplier
In September the price of electricity increased by 21.9% compared to the previous year and that of gas by 12.7%. A price increase that was reflected in bills and which did not fail to surprise consumers. Almost half of them (56%) were not notified of this increase.
“I call on energy suppliers to demonstrate greater clarity and transparency; must be careful not to further weaken already precarious families”, asked Olivier Challan Belval, national energy broker.
► Almost a third of families suffer from the cold
In the last five years the number of families affected by the cold has doubled. Now it reaches 30%. The most affected are young people under 35, office workers, workers and tenants. Financial difficulties and poor isolation are the main causes of this precariousness.
There are currently almost 4.8 million energy sieves in the country. These homes rated with an F or G energy performance diagnosis require almost double the energy to heat.
Unlike the suffering caused by the cold, those related to excessive heat are decreasing thanks to the milder climate this year. They affect less than half of households in 2024 compared to 55% in 2023.
► Three quarters of families reduce consumption to save
Almost three quarters of households declare that they have reduced consumption for economic reasons in the face of rising energy prices, relegating the ecological factor to the background.
📢 Publication of the 2024 energy information barometer of the national energy broker 👇
Faced with financial constraints, consumers continue to adapt their behavior. Three-quarters of them say they limited their heating to limit bills
Lire… pic.twitter.com/Msbm3TJAzz— National Energy Ombudsman (@med_energie) November 4, 2024
But if families indicate they have changed their consumption habits during the winter of 2023-2024, their efforts appear to be reaching their limits, with 45% saying they are already doing their best.
► Better knowledge of offers
To try to lower the bill, nine out of ten families interviewed declared themselves aware of the possibility of changing their offer at any time and for free. But they are much less informed about the conditions for changing supplier.
Green energy offerings, while widely known, struggle to generate huge enthusiasm. Currently 60% of consumers say they are willing to consider these offers, but as long as they are cheaper. Eco-responsible energy choices struggle to prevail over traditional prices.
(1) Survey carried out by the Becoming research institute from 10 to 26 September 2024 on a representative sample of 2,007 French families interviewed electronically for the sixth consecutive year.
Time.news Interviews Olivier Challan Belval, National Energy Broker
Time.news Editor (TNE): Thank you for joining us today, Olivier. On the national day against energy poverty, it’s crucial to discuss the alarming statistics regarding energy consumption in France. Can you elaborate on the findings of the barometer that your organization created?
Olivier Challan Belval (OCB): Thank you for having me. The barometer revealed that over 5.6 million households—more than 12 million individuals—are grappling with energy poverty. This underscores a growing crisis where families cannot adequately heat their homes due to a combination of poor thermal quality and skyrocketing energy costs.
TNE: That’s a staggering number. What are the primary reasons cited by families for their struggles with energy bills?
OCB: Nearly 68% of families reported a rise in their electricity bills this year, with gas users similarly affected. The significant price increases—21.9% for electricity and 12.7% for gas—have left many in a state of shock, particularly as 56% of consumers were not even informed by their suppliers about these changes.
TNE: It sounds like transparency is a fundamental issue here. What do you believe energy suppliers need to do to better support consumers, especially those facing financial difficulties?
OCB: Absolutely. I urge energy suppliers to prioritize clarity and transparency. They must communicate openly about price changes and ensure that consumers, especially vulnerable families, are not further strained by unexpected financial shocks. Being left in the dark only exacerbates the challenges these families face.
TNE: It’s disheartening to consider that almost a third of families report suffering from the cold. Why do you think this problem has intensified over recent years?
OCB: The number of families affected has indeed doubled over the last five years. Young people under 35, office workers, and tenants are particularly vulnerable. Poor insulation in homes, commonly referred to as energy sieves, is a major factor. We currently have roughly 4.8 million homes with low energy performance ratings (F or G), requiring almost double the energy to heat adequately.
TNE: That’s concerning, especially with the government push towards energy efficiency. What are some immediate actions that can be taken to address this issue?
OCB: We need a dual approach: improving the thermal quality of homes through government programs and encouraging local initiatives to support energy efficiency upgrades. Additionally, financial aid and educational resources should be made available to help families understand their energy bills and the options for improving their energy situations.
TNE: How has the perspective on energy consumption shifted among families this year?
OCB: Interestingly, while 86% of consumers still list rising energy bills as their top concern, there’s an observable trend—three-quarters of families have begun reducing their energy consumption primarily for economic reasons, not ecological ones. This indicates a shift in focus due to immediate financial pressures.
TNE: It seems like the push for sustainability has taken a back seat when survival is at stake. What does this mean for the future of energy policies in France?
OCB: It signals a crucial need for policy-makers to recalibrate their strategies. While sustainability is important, we must address energy poverty as an immediate crisis. Effective policies should consider the socio-economic realities of households—they must be practical, accessible, and aimed at improving the daily lives of people in energy poverty.
TNE: Thank you for shedding light on these critical issues, Olivier. It’s clear that we need to prioritize both transparency in energy pricing and improvements in home insulation to confront the challenges of energy poverty in France.
OCB: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these pressing matters. Awareness and action are key to addressing energy poverty now and into the future.