The ideal temperature to heat a house without breaking the bank

The heating temperature varies depending on the room. Find out what is the ideal temperature of a house to optimize your energy consumption.

The right heating temperature room by room

Adjusting the thermostat of a radiator Credit: djedzura

With winter making its return, it's time to put the heating back on so you don't get cold. However, between the need for thermal comfort and energy savings electricity , finding the right compromise is not easy. A good distribution of heat in all the rooms of the house is however necessary to avoid waste. Indeed, according to the ADEME, or Agency for the Environment and Energy Management, an increase in temperature of just one degree Celsius is equivalent to 7% more energy consumption. In addition, the overheating of a home can affect people's health, especially when the ambient air becomes too dry due to overheating. Thus, it is essential to adjust the temperature of each room.

In a dwelling, the radiators are connected to a central boiler and they each have a device used to regulate the temperature. The setting depends essentially on the characteristics of the area to be heated, the function of each room and the needs of the occupants. The outside temperature is also often taken into account to make the right settings. In this specific case, the addition of an outdoor sensor connected to your boiler is necessary. In addition, the exposure of the house can vary the heating needs. A south-facing dwelling benefits from a free supply of heat, this aspect must be taken into account when making adjustments and measurements.

The ambient air can also be an important factor, the needs being different with a high or low humidity level. In addition, the needs are not the same in an unoccupied room. When all the family members are outside, the thermostat should be lowered. The choice of a heating system connected or programmable proves to be judicious in this case. You can also install a thermostatic valve on each of your radiators so that they can be adjusted according to your needs and the surrounding conditions.

The type of housing does not influence the choice of the right heating temperatures. However, whether you live in an apartment or a house, the dwelling must comply with current standards for thermal insulation. In all cases, the Construction and Housing Code and ADEME recommend specific temperatures for proper heating while saving money. In an occupied house, the recommended average temperature is 19 degrees in the center of the room and 1.5 meters above the floor. However, it should be remembered that this indication does not take into account the ambient conditions mentioned above. Whether you use a fireplace, a central gas boiler or a space heater, here are our tips for choosing the ideal temperature in a house, room by room.

1 – The right temperature in the living rooms

Heating system in a living room Credit: omap49

The living rooms include the living room, the dining room, the office and even the kitchen, depending on the style. The recommended temperature is 19°C when the accommodation is occupied. Otherwise, a maximum of 16°C is mandatory if the occupants are absent for a period of 24 to 48 hours. If the vacancy goes beyond 48 hours, the maximum temperature must be 8°C. However, you can go up to 20 or 21°C, depending on the situation. In order to limit your consumption, remember to wear warm clothes, cover yourself with a plaid when you are on the sofa, or put on socks. Thus, you will not have to push your heating.

2 – The adult bedroom

Bedroom with a radiator Credit: Mirjana Ristic

The heating temperature in the bedroom must not exceed 16°C according to ADEME. Beyond that, the quality of your sleep may be impaired. To avoid heat loss and not be cold, remember to close the shutters and draw the curtains, this will help maintain an ambient temperature suitable for sleep. Use a thick comforter and wear pajamas so you don't have to turn up the thermostat.

3 – The baby / children's bedroom

Baby room Credit: Rawf8

The ideal temperature should be between 18 and 20°C in the baby's and children's room. As baby's thermoregulatory function is not yet developed, he risks being cold below 18°C. Children, on the other hand, tend to sleep outside the duvet.

4 – The bathroom

Bathroom with a heated towel rack Credit: BlackPixel

The bathroom temperature should also be adjusted. It varies from 17 to 22°C depending on the time and ambient conditions. The bathroom is a room that is not used all day, so it is mostly unoccupied. After the passages of the morning, it is useless to heat it. Maintain a setting of 17°C.

On the other hand, consider raising the temperature before everyone gets home, by installing a programmable thermostat, for example. For a comfortable exit from the bath, it is recommended to bring the temperature of the bathroom to 21 or 22°C. To save energy, consider installing a heated towel rail that will also act as a heater in the bathroom. In addition, this device fits well with the layout of the water feature.

Installing a back-up heater can also be a good idea. You will only use it during the period before your shower in order to heat the bathroom quickly.

5 – Small parts

Entrance hall of a modern apartment Credit: Polina Strelkova

The toilets, the entrance or the hallway are small rooms that are used very little during the day. Thus, a temperature around 17°C is sufficient. The storage room practically does not need heating, but if necessary, you can maintain a temperature of 12-14 ° C in it.

What if the ideal temperature cannot be reached?

Laying rock wool to reinforce insulation Credit: brizmaker

You have set the thermostat of your radiators to reach the ideal temperature inside your home, but feel cold? The thermometer does not reach the required value? This surely means that your house or apartment is not well insulated. Heat loss due to poor insulation causes the room temperature to drop abnormally, and your heaters cannot reach the ideal temperature. Beyond the discomfort that this can generate, you also risk inflating your electricity or gas bill, or your heating expenses depending on the device used.

To avoid this, consider renovating the thermal insulation of your home. The cost of the work may be covered by state bodies. Here are the main mechanisms for financing the energy renovation of your home:

• MaPrimeRénov’: this renovation bonus is aimed at owners wishing to carry out work aimed at renovating thermal insulation or improving heating performance. This may be, for example, the purchase of a new boiler, but in this case the building must have been built for at least 2 years.
• MaPrimeRénov’ Sérénité: this system includes financial assistance and advice to enable low-income and very low-income households to carry out energy renovation work. The accommodation must be more than 15 years old and the beneficiary of the aid must call on a craftsman or a company with the RGE label (recognized guarantor of the environment).
• Exemption from property tax: this local aid (provided by the municipalities) is intended for owners carrying out energy-saving work. As its name suggests, it allows you to be exempt from property tax, totally or partially.
• Energy Savings Certificates or CEE: these aids from energy suppliers are aimed at both tenants and owners. They can take the form of a loan at a subsidized rate, a bonus or even advice. The beneficiary must have the work carried out by an RGE-certified professional.
• The energy voucher: this device is intended for low-income households and makes it possible in particular to finance energy renovation work. The use of an RGE-certified professional is also a condition required to benefit from it and in the event of eligibility.
• The Energy Savings Coup de Pouce: these are bonuses aimed at facilitating certain works such as the replacement of insulation, the purchase of a new heating system or an efficient thermostat. This system is accessible to all households and the amount of the premiums varies according to resources.
• The Zero-Rate Eco-Loan: this is financing with no interest rate and no cash advance, intended to cover the costs of energy renovation works. It is aimed at owners, and the property must have been built for more than 2 years.

Tips for choosing a heating system

A boiler in the basement Credit: KangeStudio

Several heating systems exist, with their advantages and disadvantages. If you are about to change heating, here are some indications to guide you:

• Underfloor heating and low-temperature radiators connected to a boiler are renowned for the thermal comfort they provide. Indeed, they deliver a soft and pleasant heat.
• Electric radiators are characterized by a longer heating time, but they are also appreciated for their thermal comfort.
• Radiant panels and electric convectors have a bad reputation for drying out the ambient air.
• The heat pump is based on the principle of heat transfer. thermal energy ; it is expensive, but has the advantage of functioning as an air conditioner in summer.