Goodbye 19 °C: experts unveil the new heating rules for optimal comfort

For decades, the standard indoor temperature for home heating has been set at 19 °C. However, in 2025, this well-established norm is now being questioned by energy experts who are adapting heating rules to the real needs of occupants and technological advancements. This major change aims to ensure optimal comfort while pursuing important goals of energy savings and environmental respect. Goodbye to 19 degrees, therefore, and welcome to a finer and more personalized management of indoor comfort temperature in contemporary homes. The challenge is twofold: to offer adequate thermal comfort while controlling consumption, a key issue at the heart of current concerns.

The end of the 19 °C rule: understanding the change for optimal comfort

Historically, 19 °C was considered the standard for heating living spaces. This simple benchmark, used since the 1970s, has gradually been imposed in homes across France. Yet, nostalgic energy experts from that era had to revise their position, as changes in lifestyles, insulation materials, and heating systems greatly alter the quality of indoor comfort.Now, the ideal temperature varies according to usage, rooms, and even times of the day.

The new heating rules therefore recommend adjusting heating room by room, with flexible temperatures tailored to the actual needs of occupants. For example, bedrooms can benefit from a slightly lower temperature to promote good sleep, while the living room, often occupied during the day, requires more sustained thermal comfort. This nuance ensures a pleasant atmosphere without overconsumption. It is also an essential means of achieving real energy savings without sacrificing quality of life.

A synthesis from several recent studies reveals that an indoor temperature between 20 °C and 21 °C in the main living areas ensures better well-being while remaining reasonable in terms of energy consumption. Adopting this new standard also takes into account the quality of insulation, which can limit losses and thereby avoid the excessive heating that was sometimes necessary in the past. Exceeding 19 degrees, without excess, can even mechanically reduce the risk of humidity and mold, thus contributing to optimal and healthy comfort.

• Temperature modulation according to rooms (living room, bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom)

• Consideration of occupancy schedules (day, night, absence)

• Integration of modern regulation devices (room thermostats, programmers)

• Increased consideration for insulation and solar gains

The technological innovations that revolutionize heating adjustment

The abandonment of the 19 °C rule goes hand in hand with the rise of smart technologies capable of precisely adjusting indoor temperatures. Paul Leclerc, a sanitary installation expert, reminds us that these innovative solutions allow for a combination of optimal comfort and energy savings. With systems like connected thermostats, modulating heating valves, or smart programmers, mastering temperature becomes accessible and personalized.

These devices often communicate with mobile applications, enabling remote control of heating. One can thus adjust the temperature based on travel or changes in schedules, avoiding unnecessary energy waste. Coupling with presence sensors or home automation systems opens the door to more dynamic management. For example, a smart thermostat can lower the temperature as soon as occupants leave the house, then gradually raise it before their return.

In 2025, the trend is also towards hybrid solutions, which combine different energy sources to optimize performance. Geothermal energy, in particular, finds its place in this new landscape of domestic heating. Some smart homes integrate multiple technologies to automatically adapt to external conditions and the specific needs of residents. These innovations help to move beyond the 19 degrees rule by proposing a more ecological and economical balance.

• Programmable connected thermostats

• Room-by-room regulation with thermostatic valves

• Integration of presence or air quality sensors

• Hybrid geothermal and renewable heat systems

How the new heating rules improve energy savings

Goodbye to 19 degrees does not only imply a change in temperature but a disruption in the energy management of homes. Energy experts now emphasize the importance of adapting heating to actual needs throughout the day and depending on the rooms. Such an approach significantly optimizes consumption without sacrificing thermal comfort.

For instance, it is advisable to lower the temperature in unused rooms, or during prolonged absences, through precise heating programming. This practice avoids unnecessary heating and can generate substantial savings on the energy bill. Room-by-room regulation thus becomes an indispensable tool for controlling expenses and contributing to overall energy sobriety objectives. Households equipped in this way often notice a visible decrease in their heating costs while maintaining optimal comfort.

These management models are also accompanied by precise recommendations for the maintenance of thermal installations. Properly adjusted heating, combined with a well-maintained system (bleeding radiators, checking boilers, inspecting insulation), ensures maximum efficiency over time. Paul Leclerc emphasizes the importance of professional intervention to calibrate these adjustments and guarantee the reliability of devices.

• Program temperature reduction during absences

• Independently regulate each room according to its usage

• Regularly review the installation to optimize efficiency

• Raise awareness of simple gestures to limit energy loss

Adapting heating to your needs for custom thermal comfort

The new era of heating, surpassing the single 19 °C rule, offers the possibility to customize one’s thermal comfort. According to scientists and energy experts, optimal comfort is no longer limited to a uniform temperature but to an atmosphere adapted to each use. This is a significant step towards heating that is more respectful of lifestyles and more efficient.

Taking into account the frequency and duration of space occupancy allows for intelligent modulation of indoor temperature. Fast-moving areas, such as hallways, can be heated to lower temperatures, while relaxation and workspaces require particular attention. This hierarchy ensures satisfaction without excess energy consumption.

Paul Leclerc also recommends paying attention to the peculiarities of each household: family composition, age of occupants, their specific needs (children, elderly people, particular sensitivities), and the type of housing (old house or new building). All these parameters influence the definition of comfort temperature. A well-thought-out installation therefore integrates these factors to deliver modular, economical, and efficient heating.

• Identify priority rooms according to lifestyle

• Choose systems allowing for individual control

• Plan heating time slots accordingly

• Consider humidity and indoor air quality

Financial aids to support new heating practices

Changing heating habits and equipping oneself to comply with new rules sometimes requires a significant investment. Aware of this issue, public authorities have developed a wide range of financial aids aimed at encouraging energy renovation and the adoption of more efficient systems. These measures allow for a transition towards optimal comfort while limiting financial burden.

Among the most accessible schemes are tax credits for energy transition (CITE), local and national grants, as well as energy bonuses. These aids often cover part of the expenses related to the installation of efficient boilers, heat pumps, or thermal insulation of the housing. Paul Leclerc advises his clients to carefully check the eligibility criteria and to consult a QUALIBAT professional to fully benefit from these schemes.

Additionally, specific zero-interest financing offers have been implemented to facilitate the modernization of heating systems, particularly for low-income households. These measures contribute to the gradual abandonment of the 19 degrees rule in favor of a reasoned and adapted use of heating with tangible economic and environmental benefits.

• Tax credit for energy transition (CITE)

• Local aids from Anah (National Agency for Housing)

• Energy bonuses and certificates for energy savings

• Zero-interest loans for renovations

For more information and to follow official recommendations, it is useful to consult specialized resources such as those available on Nostrodomus or Pleine Vie.