The guide to cutting your heating bills in Luxembourg
Would you like to optimise the heating in your home? We can help you every step of the way.
Key points to remember
- Certain types of heating offer 4 times greater efficiency conventional boilers (gas, oil, fuel oil, electric)
- It is possible to convert your existing system and adapt it to a heat pumpwhile benefiting from substantial state aid
- To reduce energy requirements, however, you need to making sure your home is well insulated30% of heat loss is through the roof
First step: understanding your heating costs
To begin with, it's crucial to understand where and how you spend your money on heating. Identify the main sources of energy consumption in your home.
Do the majority of your bills come from heating? Do you use space heaters that increase your costs? Do you control your system intelligently?
A detailed analysis of your past energy bills can reveal interesting patterns and help you identify areas for improvement.
Analysis of factors influencing heating costs :
- Insulation Insufficient insulation is a major cause of heat loss. Nearly 30% evacuated through the roof. 20% to 25% through walls. Check that your walls, roof, windows and doors are fully insulated. A well-insulated house requires less energy to heat, resulting in substantial savings.
- Type of heating : Different systems have different efficiencies. For example, heat pumps can be more economical in the long term than traditional boilers (gas, oil), which have low efficiencies.
- Behaviour of occupants : Daily habits can have a big impact on your heating bills. Reducing the temperature by a few degrees and switching off radiators in unused rooms can make a big difference to your energy bill.
Then: reduce your heating costs
Once you have a better understanding of your consumption habits, you can start to implement strategies to reduce your costs.
- Improve the insulation of your home: Invest in a better insulation. This is one of the most effective ways of reducing heating requirements. Insulating attics and walls and replacing windows with double- or triple-glazed models can considerably reduce your energy consumption. What's more, a renovation project of this kind is highly cost-effective. encouraged and subsidised by the Luxembourg State.
- Optimising your heating system : Make sure your system is serviced regularly for optimum performance. Replace filters, bleed radiators and adjust thermostat settings to improve your system's energy efficiency.
- Find a better energy supplier to reduce your monthly outgoings: use an energy contract comparator to find a good deal. cheaper electricity or a cheaper gas in 2026.
- Opt for intelligent solutions (home automation): These systems automatically control the level of heat in your home according to various factors (sunshine, temperature, time of day, occupancy, etc.). This can significantly reduce your energy consumption. All you need to do is fit smart boxes and electronic thermostatic control heads to control your radiators.
- Change your heating system: Consider switching to greener, more efficient heating solutions, such as heat pumps, condensing boilers or solar heating. Although the initial investment may be higher, the long-term savings and reduced environmental impact are well worth it. Visit heat pumps offer a host of advantages and exceptional returns, and are heavily subsidised by the Luxembourg government.
How to make savings on a daily basis
Simple everyday gestures can lead to significant savings. Here are a few tips to adopt:
- Set your thermostat Lowering the temperature on your thermostat by 1°C can reduce your heating bill by 7%.
- Dress warmly Wearing warmer clothes indoors allows you to lower your temperature without feeling cold.
- Use insulating curtains Close the curtains at night to conserve heat and open them during the day to let in the sun's light and heat.
- Block draughts Use door bottoms or seals to block cold draughts.
By adopting these strategies and improving your day-to-day behaviour, you can considerably reduce your energy bills while staying comfortably warm in your home.
Gas, oil, heat pump... What should you choose?
Heating systems vary greatly in terms of efficiency, cost and environmental impact. Here's an overview of the different types of heating and their associated energy requirements, expressed in kilowatts per square metre (kW/m²).
- Electric Electric radiators have a near-unity efficiency (nearly 100 %). In other words, for every 1 unit of electricity consumed, they produce the equivalent in heat. Typical requirements are around 0.10 to 0.15 kW/m². However, the use of electric heat pumps can improve efficiency, with a coefficient of performance (COP) of 2 to 4, reducing requirements to around 0.025 to 0.07 kW/m².
- Gas Modern gas boilers have efficiencies of up to 90 % to 95 %. Energy requirements for gas heating are generally in the region of 0.09 to 0.12 kW/m². More efficient condensing boilers can reduce this figure even further.
- Oil-fired Fuel oil: Although similar to gas in terms of efficiency (85 % to 90 % for modern models), fuel oil is often considered to be less environmentally friendly. Energy requirements are comparable to those of gas, at around 0.09 to 0.12 kW/m².
- In the woods Wood-burning systems, such as wood-burning stoves or biomass boilers, can have efficiencies ranging from 70 % to 90 %. Energy requirements are around 0.10 to 0.14 kW/m², depending on the efficiency of the appliance and the type of wood used.
- Heat pumps (aerothermal, geothermal) Heat pumps are among the most efficient systems, with COPs ranging from 3 to 5 for aerial heat pumps and up to 4 to 6 for geothermal heat pumps. This translates into reduced energy requirements of around 0.02 to 0.04 kW/m².
- Systems thermal solar Although they require little initial energy input, their efficiency depends on the availability of sunlight. They are often used to complement other heating systems. Energy requirements are practically zero when they are in operation, but they cannot always cover 100 % of needs.
Heat pumps are clearly the big winners in this comparison, both in terms of energy performance and CO2 emissions (because they run on electricity). What's more, they have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Underfloor heating, radiators, ventilation... What is the best heating method?
The best method for your home depends on a number of factors, including the insulation of the house, geographical location and individual comfort preferences.
Underfloor heating :
- Energy efficiencyUnderfloor heating distributes heat evenly and operates at lower temperatures than radiators (around 35°C compared with 50°C to 70°C for radiators), which can lead to a loss of heat. reduction in energy consumption from 10% to 40%.
- ComfortImproved thermal comfort thanks to even heat distribution, without the cold zones often associated with radiators.
- Installation costsCost: Higher than for radiators, between 50 and 100 euros per m², but can be offset by long-term energy savings.
Find out more about underfloor heating
Radiators :
- FlexibilityEase of installation and use, adaptability to different types of energy (gas, electricity, fuel oil).
- CostLess expensive to buy and install than underfloor heating, with prices ranging from 100 to 500 euros per unit.
- EfficiencyLess efficient than underfloor heating in terms of heat distribution, and requires additional heating. higher temperatures for equivalent comfortThis can lead to higher energy consumption.
Ventilation (controlled mechanical ventilation system, VMC double flow)
- Energy efficiency: Systems Double flux recover up to 90% of heat from exhaust air, reducing energy requirements and potentially making significant savings on energy bills.
- Air qualityImproving indoor air quality by filtering and constantly renewing the air.
- Installation costsMore expensive, between €5,000 and €10,000, but offers significant benefits in terms of energy savings and comfort.
Air qualityImproving indoor air quality by filtering and constantly renewing the air.
Installation costsMore expensive. Expect to pay between €5,000 and €10,000. But this method of heating offers significant advantages in terms of energy savings and comfort.
Conclusion:
The best method depends on the specific needs of the house and its occupants. Underfloor heating offers greater comfort and energy efficiency, but at a higher installation cost. Radiators are a cheaper and more flexible option, but can be less efficient. La Double flow CMV offers excellent energy performance and better air quality, although its initial cost is high. It is advisable to assess your specific needs, available budget and long-term objectives before making a choice.
FAQ : Optimising your heating - frequently asked questions
What are the main ways I can reduce my heating bills?
Improving home insulation to minimise heat loss.
Maintaining and optimising your heating system for greater efficiency.
And find a cheaper energy contract by comparing electricity suppliers or gas suppliers.
How do I know if my insulation is good enough?
Examine your heating bills: High costs may indicate poor insulation. Check for cold draughtsThese are signs of poor insulation. Consult a professional for an energy assessment of your home, which will identify any weaknesses in your insulation.
Is it worth switching to intelligent heating systems?
Yes, intelligent heating systems can significantly reduce your energy consumption by adjusting the temperature according to your lifestyle, the weather and the presence of occupants, resulting in substantial savings on your bills.
Which heating system is best suited to my home?
This depends on a number of factors, including the insulation of your home, your energy needs and your budget. The heat pumps are a popular option for their efficiency and low environmental impact.