The ADEME figures are striking: heating and energy production can represent up to 77% of the energy budget of French households. Faced with soaring gas and oil prices and widespread inflation, the State did not wish to remain still. To encourage the French to reduce their heating bills, a Thermostat Plan has been initiated. In addition, a decree promulgated on June 7, 2023 makes a specific installation obligatory.
An obligation for domestic heating: a step towards energy sobriety
From 2027, theinstallation d’un thermostat becomes compulsory in homes, including old housing. This measure aims to allow more precise regulation of the temperature in each room, thus reducing the energy consumption. French households therefore have three years to comply and optimize their energy consumption.
The legislative text requires in particular the installation “a system for automatic regulation of the heating temperature per room, according to a minimum hourly step”. In other words, it involves equipping yourself with an intelligent thermostat, capable of program the heating to the exact degree and adapt to the needs of each room. A measure designed to lower bills and, above all, encourage energy sobriety on a national scale, as recalled on the ENGIE website.
Mandatory thermostats: reinforced rules for all installations
Since 2018, the installation of a thermostat has been mandatory for new boilers. With the 2027 decree, this requirement now extends to old installations, marking a significant step forward. It also imposes a automatic control during the annual maintenance, carried out by the heating engineer. In detail, for water radiatorscontrol via thermostatic heads remains permitted, provided that the programming is precise.
In accommodations equipped with electric heatersthe decree imposes a thermostat per room or heating zone, which must measure the ambient temperature and activate the heating when it falls below the set point. This obligation applies to all buildingswhether residential or tertiary, individual or in co-ownership, even old ones with collective heating. THE new buildingsalready subject to the RE 2020 regulations, are included.
Heating: help for a supervised transition
Exceptions concern independent devices heater with manual power supply. This is particularly the case for log stoves. The exception also applies when the installation of thermostats is not technically or economically feasible, with a return on investment exceeding 10 years. Please note that only certain thermostats meet the new requirements. For example, models with simple manual adjustment are no longer enough. On the other hand, the programmable thermostatsconnected or intelligent, capable of adjusting the temperature as needed, are compliant.
To support households, aid called “ A helping hand Connected control of heating room by room » was created. She is accessible sous conditions and aims to facilitate the purchase and installation of regulation systems by time programmingsuitable for new or existing equipment.
