COST OF ENERGY IN FRANCE AND BITS AND BOBS IN BRIEF: #5 AND LAST OF A SERIES

 

* Although France depends more on nuclear power than about any other European country, that has not translated into cheap rates. And the rates have been climbing. In 2023, we used 29% less electricity that we did the previous year, but the bill was only 5% lower. So far this year we've used 10% less than last year, but our bill is 10% higher. Last year, my total bill was just over 2,560USD. This year, our first six months will run just over 1,500USD. So yes. The cost of electricity in France can be painful. If I had to say it. we are wasteful. If it comes to it, I can identify ways to economize. It's getting to be time that we'll have to.

* Another cost of living in France that can be painful is fueling the family car. We own a used Renault diesel. I like Renault because they are still going racing. I like diesel because the motors last longer and the fuel is cheaper. But because France has to import all of its oil, it ain't very cheap at all. When we arrived, I was paying the equivalent of about 5.40USD per gallon. Today, I'm paying 6.80USD. I get 42 MPG, but it's still a hit to the wallet. And France takes climate change seriously. That means that the sale of diesel cars is being phased out and that diesel cars are prohibited from certain cities during bad air days, certain downtowns permanently. But for now, I'm keeping the Renault.

* We heat and cool with a heat pump, so our heating is covered in the electric bill. But we supplement with a wood-fueled fireplace insert. As the cost of electricity and fuel oil has risen, so has firewood. It takes about one cord of firewood to take me through the winter. In the past three years, the price has increased by about a third. I expect that when I order my next cord in a few months, I will pay over 400USD.

* Like everything else, the cost of water has increased, not least because we have been experiencing a lengthy drought, so the water tables are low. And water is essential to the main crop locally, grapes for winemaking . We're paying about 90USD per month for water/sewer, up about 30% over the last couple of years.

* We pay about 60USD monthly for our landline, two cell phones, and 4G wifi. Free calls to the USof A on the landline, but we are more likely to FaceTime or WhatsApp than phone. Just enough data to get by because neither of us are screenheads, particularly when we are out of the house. Fiber was installed throughout the village last year and we signed up. 5G and more data would run us an extra 25USD monthly. We passed on that.

As you can tell if you have been following this series, I have not attempted to present a detailed, all inclusive budget. Just snapshots of the sorts of things that I think might interest folks. Specific questions? I would be happy to answer in the comment section below.