With a few smart adjustments, you can heat your home more comfortably while saving energy. But what actually works? And what's the difference between underfloor heating and a heat pump?
Poor temperature settings cost you money without you noticing. Modern heating systems (such as heat pumps) are more efficient when they deliver heat steadily. They consume less than systems that constantly switch on and off.
Your home also plays a role: does it heat up quickly or stay cold for a long time? This depends mainly on insulation and, for underfloor heating, on how quickly the floor releases heat. With the right settings, you can save up to 15% energy without losing comfort.
Comfort temperature
In modern or well-renovated homes, a comfort temperature of 19 to 20°C is ideal when you are at home.
Every degree above 20°C significantly increases energy loss and costs. Only one degree less during the day saves up to 7% energy.
By lowering the thermostat by just one degree, a heating appliance consumes approximately 7% less energy.
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Settings for condensing boilers
A condensing boiler allows a moderate temperature drop at night to save energy. Unlike other systems, it is responsive enough to raise the temperature without losing efficiency, provided the increase is not too sudden.
- Night / absence: lower the temperature to around 16°C. A well-insulated home will quickly warm up to 19-20°C in the morning.
- Extended absence: you can go a little lower, but keep at least 12°C to avoid moisture and condensation problems.
Settings for heat pumps
A heat pump works best when it runs steadily and consistently, without major interruptions. Large drops at night are not recommended, as the effort to catch up in the morning reduces efficiency and increases electricity consumption.
- Night / absence: lower by a maximum of 1 to 2°C compared to the comfort temperature (e.g. 18-19°C). Avoid dropping to 16°C: the system will have to compensate heavily.
- Extended absence: do not go below 14-15°C. If the house becomes too cold, the heat pump will activate its electric backup heating, which is very expensive.
Good to know
Check if your thermostat can operate according to a heating curve adapted to the weather conditions (or ask your installer to do so). This option is often more economical than setting the temperature based on the ambient temperature.
Settings for underfloor heating
Avoid large variations. Underfloor heating heats up and cools down slowly. Once at temperature, it costs little to keep it stable.
- Night / absence: limit the drop to a maximum of 1°C (e.g. 19°C if the comfort setting is 20°C), if your home is moderately insulated. Never go below 18°C: the floor would become too cold and it would take a lot of energy to heat it up again.
- Extended absence: ideally keep 15°C. If the floor cools completely, it can take 24 to 48 hours to regain a comfortable temperature.
- In freezing weather or with poor insulation: it is advisable to keep the day/night temperature almost identical to compensate for the system's slowness.
- Tip: to have a warm floor in the morning, set your thermostat at least 2 hours earlier than with radiators.
Summary of settings by system
| Condensing boilers | Heat pump | Underfloor heating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation | Can modulate its power or turn on/off. | Must remain stable to avoid wear. | Must remain almost constant. |
| Night / absence | Lower to 16°C | Lower to 1 tot 2°C | Lower by 0 to 1°C |
| Extended absence | Min. 12°C | Min. 14°C | Min. 15°C |
Do you have well-established habits?
A room thermostat with day/night settings or a programmable thermostat can be used to perform the necessary actions at specific times. For example, setting your comfort temperature 30 minutes before you wake up (or 2 hours with underfloor heating).
Smart thermostats and new solutions
In modern homes, you increasingly find:
- Smart thermostats: learn your habits and avoid waste.
- Room-by-room control: thanks to connected thermostatic valves.
- Home automation integration: with detectors, ventilation, shutters and presence sensors.
- Flexible prices: some smart thermostats can automatically use dynamic rate to produce hot water when energy prices are lowest.