The first chilly mornings are back. Is it time to turn the heating back on, or is it better to wait a few more days? In reality, there’s no ideal date that works for every home: a well-insulated, recently built apartment doesn’t respond in the same way as an older house, which is often more sensitive to temperature changes.
Between the last days of summer and the first cold spells, it’s not always easy to know when to turn the heating back on. During this transition period, heating needs change throughout the day and from room to room. So there’s no need to heat your entire home continuously.
Electric radiators with weekly programming make it easier to manage heating by automatically adjusting the temperature to suit your routine.
What’s the ideal date to turn on the heating in autumn?
There is no legal date requiring you to turn on the heating in a home with individual heating. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to wait until a specific date to turn your radiators back on.
In practice, the heating season generally begins around mid-October, when outdoor temperatures drop for an extended period. However, the timing is only a guide: a well-insulated home will retain heat better than one that is prone to heat loss.
It’s better to go by the indoor temperature than by the calendar. If your home naturally stays around 19 °C during the day, there’s no need to turn all your heaters back on right away.
Individual vs. central heating: what rules apply?
In a home with individual heating, occupants are free to decide when to turn their radiators on or off according to their needs and comfort. They can adjust the set temperature room by room to avoid unnecessary energy use.
In a building with central heating, turning on the heating generally depends on a decision by the co-owners or the rules governing the shared system. The usual heating season often runs from October 15 to April 15, though these dates may vary depending on the weather.
The Construction and Housing Code* sets out requirements related to the thermal comfort of buildings, among other things, but does not establish a single national date for turning on the heating in all homes.
The weather rule: how outdoor temperatures affect your heating
The main indicator for when to turn on the heating is still the change in outdoor temperatures. A sustained drop is generally a better indicator than a brief cold spell lasting a few days.
It’s often considered advisable to gradually turn the heating back on when outdoor temperatures drop below 12 to 14 °C for several consecutive days.
This approach helps avoid two common mistakes: turning the heating back on after a brief cold spell or, conversely, waiting too long and letting the home get cold.
At what indoor temperature should you turn your radiators back on?
The indoor temperature is the best guide to deciding when to turn the heating back on. A home can stay comfortably warm for several weeks after the heating is switched off, thanks in particular to its insulation and the thermal inertia of its materials.
In practice, many households turn their heating back on too early after the first cold week of autumn. However, a temporary drop in temperature doesn’t necessarily mean the heating season has started. Monitoring the indoor temperature over several days is often more useful.
The 19 °C guideline recommended by ADEME
According to ADEME**, maintaining a temperature of 19 °C in occupied living areas is a good balance between comfort and energy consumption. That doesn’t mean every room needs to be heated to this temperature: a bedroom or hallway can stay cooler without affecting everyday comfort.
During the transitional season, a dry-inertia electric radiator provides more consistent heat than a standard convection heater, improving comfort while limiting temperature fluctuations.
L’humidity: a factor not to overlook for thermal comfort
In autumn, feeling cold doesn’t depend solely on the temperature shown on the thermostat. Air that’s too humid can increase discomfort and make a home feel colder than it really is.
Maintaining a good humidity level helps improve comfort while avoiding overheating. An air dehumidifier can be useful in rooms prone to humidity, such as a bathroom, laundry room, or poorly ventilated home. By reducing excess humidity, it helps create a healthier, more pleasant atmosphere every day.
Adjusting the temperature for different rooms in the home
Different rooms in the home have different needs. A bedroom, bathroom, or living room doesn’t need the same set temperature, particularly because they’re occupied for different lengths of time.
- Living areas: aim for a comfortable temperature when the home is occupied.
- Bedrooms: a cooler temperature generally promotes better sleep.
- Bathroom: a temporary increase in temperature is often more suitable than keeping the heating on all the time.
- Rooms used infrequently: maintaining a minimum temperature prevents your home from getting too cold.
Smart heating solutions make it possible to go even further with weekly scheduling and a connected thermostat. This means your heating adapts to your lifestyle: automatically lowers the temperature when you’re away, warms up before you return, or adjusts the temperature room by room.
Comparison table: recommended temperatures and when to turn on the heating in each room
A living room occupied all day and a bedroom used only at night don’t have the same needs. Adjusting the temperature room by room is one of the easiest ways to reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort.
| Room in the home | Target temperature | Suggested turn-on threshold | Comfort & savings tip |
| Living areas (living room, lounge) | 19 °C | Below 18 °C residual heat | Program a lower temperature at night or when you’re away. |
| Bedrooms | 16 °C to 17 °C | Below 16 °C residual heat | Choose a suitable duvet to delay turning on the heating. |
| Bathroom | 21 °C when occupied / 17 °C the rest of the time | Only when in use | Choose a responsive towel warmer for on-demand heating. |
| Kitchen / Hallways | 17 °C to 18 °C | Below 16 °C residual heat | Make use of the heat generated by cooking. |
How can you delay turning on the heating without sacrificing comfort?
In early fall, it’s often possible to delay turning the heating fully back on with a few simple steps. L’the goal isn’t to put up with the cold, but to make smart use of the resources already available in your home.
Make the most of solar heat and reduce heat loss
Before turning on your radiators, a few simple habits can help retain heat naturally and reduce heating needs:
- Open the shutters as soon as the first rays of morning sun hit the south- or east-facing side of your home to benefit from free solar heat.
- Close the shutters and heavy curtains as soon as night falls to limit heat loss through the windows.
- Air out your home for 10 minutes a day to refresh the air and remove moisture. Drier air is easier to heat.
- Use draft stoppers or seal openings prone to drafts to reduce heat loss.
These simple steps can sometimes make the room feel several degrees warmer without increasing the radiators’ set temperature.
Make the most of the responsiveness of electric thermal inertia radiators
When temperatures start to drop, an electric thermal inertia radiator is a suitable way to stay comfortable as the seasons change. Unlike heating that works only on an all-or-nothing basis, it provides more consistent warmth thanks to its heating core.
Depending on the model, the heating core uses either dry thermal inertia or a heat-transfer fluid. In both cases, the goal is the same: to deliver gentle, even heat, even between heating cycles.
Electric radiator performance is also governed by European requirements and specific certifications. The European Ecodesign ErP*** Directive sets energy efficiency criteria for energy-related products, while NF Électricité certification** confirms quality and performance criteria for certain electric heating appliances.
Bestherm radiators with smart controls are particularly well suited to transitional periods. With a connected thermostat, a weekly schedule, presence detection or open-window detection, you can automatically adjust the heating to suit your lifestyle.
During the first few weeks of autumn, this room-by-room approach helps avoid turning the heating back on throughout the entire home when only one room needs a brief boost of warmth.
Essential steps before turning your radiators back on
After several months without use, a few checks can help you quickly get your heating working efficiently and comfortably again.
- Dust the heating elements and air vents to prevent odors the first time you use them and improve heat distribution.
- Check the schedules and thermostats to make sure they match your new autumn routine. Setting the target temperature to suit the times when you’re home helps avoid unnecessary energy use.
- Run a test of gradually raising the temperature room by room to check that the appliances are working properly before the first cold spells.
An early but controlled restart also helps identify any maintenance needs or adjustments as soon as possible.
FAQ: When should you turn on the heating?
What is the official date for turning on the heating?
There is no official date for turning on individual heating. In practice, the heating season often begins around mid-October. In buildings with communal heating, the homeowners’ association decides when to switch it on, generally based on the weather.
If your home stays comfortable despite the first cold spells, there is no need to turn your radiators back on straight away. Conversely, when the indoor temperature becomes consistently uncomfortable, it is time to gradually start heating again.
Should you turn on the heating as soon as the temperature drops below 19 °C?
Yes, it is advisable to turn the heating back on when the temperature stays below 19 °C in living areas. If the drop is temporary, it is better to wait or put on warmer clothes before turning all the radiators back on.
How warm a home feels also depends on several factors: humidity, the quality of the insulation, the home's exposure, and drafts. A well-ventilated home with controlled humidity will feel more comfortable.
Is it more economical to leave the heating on low or turn it off completely before winter?
At the start of the shoulder season, it is generally more economical to turn off the heating on mild days or use Eco mode. However, letting a home cool down completely can use more energy to bring it back up to temperature than keeping it at around 16 to 17 °C.
Connected electric radiators or models with a weekly timer make it easier to manage your heating by automatically adjusting the temperature to your daily routine.
How can you heat the bathroom quickly without turning on the heating throughout the house?
To heat a bathroom quickly without raising the temperature throughout the house, a programmable electric towel rail is one of the most suitable solutions. It lets you reach around 21 °C only for as long as needed, without turning the heating back on throughout the home.
A fan-assisted electric towel rail with a timer lets you warm the room before your shower and avoid heating it unnecessarily for the rest of the day.
Turn on your heating at the right time to limit energy consumption
Knowing when to turn on the heating does not depend solely on a specific date. The best indicator is the balance between the outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, and how comfortable the occupants feel.
With an electric thermal-inertia radiator, a well-adjusted thermostat, good humidity management, and a schedule suited to your lifestyle, you can maintain excellent comfort while limiting your electricity consumption. By monitoring your home's temperature and gradually adjusting the heating, you can avoid heating unnecessarily while keeping your home comfortable.
* https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/section_lc/LEGITEXT000006074096/LEGISCTA000041569808/2026-03-12
*** https://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/politiques-publiques/ecoconception-etiquetage-produits-lies-lenergie
