In an episode of Parlons éco-rénovation on Sud Radio, Pierre-Marie Perrin, director of Public Affairs at Hellio, shared tips for preparing homes for the winter season. Hellio is a company that provides energy solutions and services. Perrin focused on the importance of checking heating systems, including annual boiler maintenance, and ensuring chimneys and stoves are properly cleaned. He also highlighted simple steps such as purging radiators, removing dust, and making sure furniture doesn't block heat from spreading effectively. Perrin emphasized that maintaining a temperature of 19 degrees Celsius in living areas and 16 to 17 degrees in bedrooms is ideal. He explained that reducing the temperature by just one degree can lead to a 7% drop in heating consumption. To help manage this, he recommended using programmable thermostats that can adjust heating according to daily routines. For retaining heat, he suggested closing blinds at night, using thick curtains, checking window joints, and installing door thresholds to prevent heat from escaping. Additional measures, such as insulating heating pipes in unheated rooms, were mentioned. However, Perrin warned against blocking air vents or ventilation systems, as this can reduce the efficiency of the heating system. He noted that if a home experiences significant heat loss through the roof or walls, a more substantial energy renovation might be necessary. Signs of this include difficulty in heating certain rooms, noticeable temperature differences between rooms, or high energy bills despite reasonable heating use. To get an initial sense of a home's energy performance, Perrin suggested obtaining a Diagnostic de Performance Énergétique (DPE), which is a French energy rating system. For older homes, an energy audit can be particularly useful in determining the most appropriate renovations. This assessment helps identify areas where improvements can be made to increase energy efficiency and reduce heating costs.