France orders air-conditioned shops to save energy by shutting doors

Minister says open doors lead to 20% more consumption as restrictions on illuminated signs also announced

Air-conditioned shops throughout France will have to keep their doors shut or risk a fine of 750 (635), a French minister has announced, after the mayors of several major cities unveiled a similar rule during the country's heatwave last week.

Agnes Pannier-Runacher, the minister for ecological transition, said leaving doors open with air conditioning on led to 20% more energy consumption and ... is absurd". A decree confirming the decision will be issued in the coming days.