Thermal comfort and the limitations of the 19 °C heating standard

Maintaining indoor temperatures at the standard 19 °C may not provide adequate warmth due to the difference between air temperature and perceived thermal comfort. Factors such as humidity, air movement, and radiant heat from surrounding surfaces significantly influence how the body experiences temperature.

Poorly insulated walls can act as heat sinks, absorbing body heat through radiation. This phenomenon can make a room set at 19 °C feel as cold as 16 °C or 17 °C, particularly when sitting near an exterior wall. Simple adjustments, such as moving furniture away from cold walls or using reflective panels, can improve comfort without increasing energy consumption.

Furthermore, the long-standing recommendation of 19 °C—originally rooted in French energy austerity decrees from the 1970s—is being re-evaluated in the context of modern lifestyles and aging populations. For individuals over 60, prolonged periods of inactivity can reduce internal heat production, making the standard temperature potentially insufficient for physiological well-being.