At a time when energy prices feel like they have a life of their own, many households are looking for simple, reliable ways to cut costs. Some tips involve major renovations or costly equipment. But others are almost laughably straightforward — the kind you wonder why no one mentioned sooner. According to energy experts, switching off one everyday appliance for just two hours can make a remarkable difference to your annual bill.
Why your water heater quietly drains your budget
Electric water heaters are among the least glamorous household appliances, yet they are some of the biggest energy consumers. The French Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe) estimates that they account for an average of 11 percent of a home’s electricity use, and in some cases up to 20 percent. The larger the tank, the bigger the drain — literally and financially.
Ademe also notes that a third of this consumption can be reduced through simple daily habits. Most people already turn off the heater during holidays or long absences, but few realise the same approach can work on a smaller, everyday scale. And it begins with the time of day you probably think least about hot water: lunchtime.
The surprising power of switching it off at midday
In 2022, electricity distributor Enedis tested a nationwide experiment: temporarily cutting off water heaters between noon and 2 p.m. The results were striking. According to Thierry Sudret, then head of operations and systems, a single trial day saved 2.4 gigawatts of electricity — roughly equivalent to the consumption of 2.4 million people.
Put into financial terms, using the September 2025 rate of €0.1952 per kWh, that amounts to nearly €468,500 saved in just two hours. Extend the habit over a full year and the potential savings for individual households become significant — the kind of reduction that is impossible to ignore when winter arrives and heaters begin their annual marathon.
Sudret described the trial as “a tremendous success”, not only for its effectiveness but for how little it impacted consumers.
You won’t run out of hot water
One common concern during the test was whether families would suddenly find themselves taking cold showers at midday. Sudret reassured participants that the interruption affects only the heating cycle, not the availability of water already warmed. “Hot water remains accessible,” he explained. “The tank simply does not reheat between noon and 2 p.m., but it does so later during off peak hours.”
And in the rare case where a household uses up every last drop — enthusiastic teenagers, for example, taking epic showers — most tanks include a boost function (often called “forced operation”) that reheats the water immediately.
The small habits that make a big difference
Energy specialists recommend adopting a few straightforward habits:
- Turn off the water heater during absences of more than 48 hours
- Cut its heating cycle between noon and 2 p.m.
- Use the boost mode sparingly, only when necessary
These adjustments are almost imperceptible in everyday life yet deliver measurable benefits. As Sudret put it, “This system is practically painless for users but extremely effective.” And in an era of rising energy costs, painless and effective may be the most powerful combination of all.
