In Paris, when the temperature drops and winter settles in, one of the first things we do is turn up the heat in our apartments. But it's not the only way you can stay warm. Here are seven cost-effective ways to heat up your Paris furnished apartment rental without burning a hole in your wallet.
1. Lower the thermostat
Keeping your apartment cozy in winter is important, but leaving the heating on full blast when no one is home wastes energy and increases your utility bills. Here’s how to manage your heating efficiently:
- Daily Heating Adjustments: If you’re away at work or school during the day, lower your thermostat by a few degrees rather than shutting it off completely. Maintaining a consistent, lower temperature prevents your heating system from overworking and reheating the apartment when you return. Experts recommend setting it to around 16°C to 18°C (60°F to 64°F) during your absence.
- Druing Weekend Away: When leaving for the weekend, turn the thermostat down significantly but only partially off. A temperature around 12°C to 14°C (54°F to 57°F) is ideal to prevent pipes from freezing during colder months and to reduce the energy required to reheat your home when you return.
2. Keep windows closed
Check your apartment's windows often to ensure they are properly closed. Sometimes, windows that appear to be shut have space at the bottom that lets in cold air. (Don’t forget to aerate the apartment each morning and evening for a few minutes to avoid interior pollution.)
3. Be mindful of window treatments
Keep blinds and curtains open during the day to let in sunlight. Also, close your blinds and curtains after sunset to keep the warm air inside and prevent cold air from coming in.
4. Only heat the rooms that need it
Don’t heat rooms that you don’t use. Close heating vents, lower individual thermostats and radiators in these rooms and keep the door closed so that cooler air doesn't make its way into the rest of your apartment.
5. Arrange furniture away from radiators
Take your heating system into consideration when arranging the placement of furniture. Avoid placing sofas or other large pieces of furniture directly in front of a radiator or low wall vent. If you must keep your sofa along the wall where a vent is located, move the sofa away from the wall to allow the warm air to circulate.
6. Buy or make a draft stopper (coupe-froid in French)
A draft stopper is a simple yet effective way to block cold air from entering your apartment through gaps at the bottom of doors or windows. Most draft stoppers are quick to install and can be moved or adjusted without tools. Some come with adhesive strips for easy window application, while others can be placed along the bottom of a door. This helps keep your living space warmer and reduces your heating costs by preventing warm air from escaping.
- What It Is: A draft stopper is typically a long, padded fabric tube or a foam seal that fits along the bottom edge of doors or windows. It acts as a barrier, preventing cold air from creeping in while retaining the warmth inside.
- Where to Find Them: You can easily find draft stoppers at home improvement stores like Leroy-Merlin or Castorama for less than 15 €. They come in various sizes and designs, so you can choose one that fits your door or window perfectly.
7. Install simple window insulation*
You can pick up draft band sealing at any home improvement store, such as Leroy-Merlin or Castorama. At the onset of winter, measure the windows’ dimensions, cut the draft band sealing accordingly, and affix it around the corners of your windows.
8. One last tip: Bundle up!
Keep your feet covered with socks and/or slippers and wear warm clothing at home. This can lower your consumption by up to 10%.
credit photo @ Alisa Anton
Français
