Winter sets in and with it comes the eternal dilemma: how to heat your home efficiently without seeing your energy bill skyrocket? Since the oil crisis of the 1970s, the 19°C rule has become a dogma when it comes to domestic heating. However, energy efficiency experts are now signaling the end of this thermal diktat. A single temperature can no longer meet the current challenges of modern comfort and energy performance.
The end of a myth: why does 19°C no longer work?
The 19°C rule was born in a very different context from today. Housing in the 1970s had radically different thermal characteristics from those of today. Insulation was often poor, heating systems less efficient and lifestyles different. Energy management expert Nick Barber points out that “ithis temperature was defined as an economic compromise rather than as a true optimum of comfort “.
Progress in construction and energy renovation has changed the situation. Modern housing, better insulated and equipped with more sophisticated heating systems, allows for finer temperature management. Experts now agree on a new standard: 20°C represents the true reference temperature for living rooms.
20°C: the new standard anyway, already widely adopted
This change of one degree may seem small, but it radically changes the situation when it comes to comfort. Difficult to feel comfortable at 19°C without feeling a slight chill. Brad Roberson, heating systems specialist, explains that “ the feeling of thermal comfort depends on many factors beyond simple temperature “. Humidity, air circulation, physical activity and even the way we dress play a crucial role in our perception of comfort.
Recent studies demonstrate thatat 20°C, the human body more easily maintains its ideal temperature of 37°C, particularly during sedentary activities such as teleworking or reading. This temperature also helps reduce the risk of condensation and the development of mold, common problems in homes kept at too low temperatures.
The new approach: intelligent room-by-room heating
Experts now recommend a differentiated approach to domestic heating. Each room deserves its own temperature depending on its use. The lounge and main living areas thrive at 20°C, creating a welcoming atmosphere conducive to daily activities. Bedrooms, on the other hand, can be kept between 16 and 18°C to promote restful sleep.
The bathroom is a special case: a temperature of 22°C is recommended to avoid thermal shock when leaving the shower. Transitional spaces like corridors can get by with 17°C. This differentiated management not only optimizes comfort, but also makes substantial savings.
Modern technologies greatly facilitate this intelligent heating management. Connected thermostats allow you to program different temperatures depending on the room and time of day. These systems can generate savings of up to 15% on the annual heating bill, while maintaining an optimal level of comfort.
The financial impact of this new approach is more complex than a simple increase in consumption. Certainly, each additional degree theoretically increases consumption by 7%. However, a better adapted temperature reduces costly compensations such as the use of auxiliary heaters or over-ventilation to regulate poorly distributed heat.
- The ideal temperature goes from 19°C to 20°C in living rooms for a better comfort/savings balance
- Each room requires its own temperature: 16-18°C for bedrooms, 22°C for the bathroom
- Modern control technologies make it possible to optimize heating and achieve savings of up to 15%
