France Postpones Smart Thermostat Requirement Until 2030: What You Need to Know

France Delays Smart Thermostat Law Until 2030

The French government has officially delayed its plan to make smart thermostats mandatory in residential buildings until 2030, three years later than the original 2027 deadline. The announcement came from Roland Lescure, France’s Minister for Industry and Energy, following mounting criticism and confusion over the planned rollout.

Lescure said that the government’s goal remains the same — to help households control their heating costs and reduce emissions — but that the timeline will now give “more flexibility for families and professionals to adapt.”

Why Smart Thermostats Were Made Mandatory

The original regulation, introduced in June 2023, required all homes and buildings to be equipped with automatic temperature control systems. The measure was directly tied to the EU’s climate directive and formed part of France’s Energy Efficiency Roadmap.

Smart thermostats are designed to reduce energy bills by automatically adjusting heat based on occupancy and time of day, potentially cutting heating energy use by up to 15%. They can also help the country reduce dependence on gas and lower carbon emissions.

A Wave of Backlash Over Costs

The measure quickly became a political flashpoint. Opposition leaders denounced the plan as yet another “bureaucratic burden” on property owners.

Bruno Retailleau (Les Républicains) mocked the proposal, saying regulators would soon be “checking the thickness of our sweaters.”
Marine Le Pen called for the policy’s repeal, describing it as “a massive extra cost for millions of homeowners.”

According to Ademe (France’s energy agency), the price of a smart thermostat ranges from €60 to €250, with installation adding another €150 to €300. Around 27 million French homes still lack such devices.

An installation subsidy worth up to €624 per household had initially been available, but was suspended in late 2024 due to widespread fraud concerns.

Environmental and Industrial Concerns

While the delay is meant to ease pressure on households, France’s energy and electrical industries say it could slow down environmental progress.

The industry association Ignes warned that the postponement represents “a major environmental setback,” estimating that earlier implementation could have saved 3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions a year. “It’s disappointing to see such a vital measure pushed back even as the world discusses climate goals at COP30,” the group said.

However, government officials argue the delay was under consideration long before public pressure. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had already hinted at it during the Mayors’ Congress on 20 November, citing “coordination and cost challenges.” A public consultation on the regulation closed on 4 December 2025, and the government now plans to introduce a revised version early next year.

What This Means for Homeowners in France

For now, the thermostat rule has not been scrapped, only postponed. Homeowners still have several years to prepare — and perhaps to benefit from a new, simplified incentive program expected to replace the one scrapped in 2024.

If you’re a property owner or tenant, here’s what to expect:

No obligation to install a smart thermostat before 2030
Possible new incentives announced in 2026 to restart installations
Continued encouragement to adopt energy‑saving measures voluntarily

Experts suggest that investing early still makes sense: a smart thermostat pays for itself within 2–3 years through lower heating bills.

A Balancing Act Between Affordability and Climate Goals

The thermostat issue highlights a recurring challenge for France’s energy policy — how to balance environmental ambition with social realities. While regulators aim to meet stringent European climate targets, many households already face rising costs of living and renovation mandates.

As the 2030 deadline approaches, the debate around how France manages its energy transition — and who really pays for it — is likely to intensify.