“Dsince the 2021 crisisthis is the first time I’ve said it : we are really in an opposite situation where the market is only increasing drastically, we must opt for a fixed contract. The only exception that I will leave would be for consumers who have solar panels in Wallonia which turns in reverse and consumes nothing†. A fixed contract will allow two things: first of all, protection from the very high amounts that could arise, and especially from the situation which would lead suppliers to withdraw fixed offers from the market. Regarding dynamic contracts, they are also less interesting according to the expert.
And the advantageous rates during off-peak hours? “What I oppose to this type of contract is reality. Which household can really over-consume in these hours ? This does not adapt to our market, or at least not yet today. Furthermore, if you don’t play the game, and you do as usual, your energy will cost you ultimately more expensive†. Not to mention that you have to have a smart meter, which is far from being the case for everyone.
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Solar panel, heat pump… The must?
Many Belgians have a gas boiler. And obviously, this makes it dependent on the market price, which continues to rise (and fall, sometimes, fortunately), it is currently between 50 and 55 €/MWh. The most profitable solution to reduce the bill is made up of two elements: solar panels and heat pumps. No need to stress while waiting for the hefty bill from your energy supplier… An ideal for some, but if you have the possibility, you have to go for it. “Being able to place solar panels to heat these heat pumps is an investment that costs a small budget. But at least we can get rid of oil and gas†, explains Arnaud Vierendeel, CEO of Isolution and expert in insulation works.
Because obviously, in terms of price, a boiler, generally speaking, remains less expensive than a complete installation of heat pump and solar panels. But according to the expert, “the investment is worth a thousand times more†.
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What type of vehicle should you travel with to pay less?
Moving costs – also – more and more expensive. Even if electric vehicles are gradually grabbing market share, thermal engines remain largely in the majority on our streets. However, according to Joost Kaesemans, director of Public Policy Touring Club, they are currently more interesting, especially when electricity is taken at home and even better: from own production. “Let’s take a example. A car consumes 5 liters per 100. We make 5 times the price of fuel, more or less €1.8, we arrive at almost 10 euros per 100 kilometers. In an electric car, we need 20 kWh on average. The kWh is 0.30 (this average includes the different types of contracts, including fixed ones). We arrive at 6 euros. If you load your vehicle at the time where solar panels deliver electricity to you, it’s even cheaper†.
On the other hand, if you switch to a fast terminal, the rates per kWh can easily double. Because there are three types of terminals: those at home, with the same price that you pay for your consumption, the “classic” ones found on public roads (which require several hours of charging) with similar prices and fast terminals often on motorways. No miracle solution, however. Prices are all increasing, and the bill will inevitably rise, whether on one side or the other. “It is very difficult to say which option, in all circumstances, will turn out to be the cheapest or the most expensive. But with a little thought and a little planning, there is a way to drive much cheaper on electric at the moment, even if the price of electricity increases a little further..â€
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Renovation: a costly but profitable solution?
In order to reduce the bill, renovation work can make the difference. But this requires an investment, which can be balanced by bonuses (they still exist in Wallonia, even if they have been reduced). Where to start? “Hot air rises, this is the convection effect. The big priority for any renovation is the roof. This is by far the largest source of losses†, explains Arnaud Vierendeel. Next comes ventilation. You obviously open your windows to ventilate your interior. However, this is not always THE good idea, or at least not all the time. “When you heat your house and ventilate it, you completely reset the indoor air. All the energy consumed for heating is completely sucked away. This has a fairly violent impact on the energy bill. This is why there are several ventilation systems†.
Arnaud Vierendeel estimates that reductions of 30% in the price of his invoice are possible in the event of roof renovation. And with the total, therefore the envelope of the building: roof, facade, frame… you can reduce it…half and sometimes up to 80-85 %“. It being understood that you are aiming for the same comfort… That is to say, if you lived with 20 degrees at home, and after the work you want 25, logically, the reduction will not be the same. The objective? Have as few losses as possible. “The biggest lever for reducing your bill is to heat less. And the only way to get there is for there to be less heating loss†.
