What Is The Ideal Room Temperature In The UK? (2023)

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The opinion of the ideal room temperature is an argument that nearly every British family has at some point.

But did you know that there is a correct answer?

Each room in the house has an ideal room temperature, and that temperature fluctuates depending upon who uses that specific room or how the space is used.

What Is The Ideal Room Temperature In The UK? (1)

Here’s everything you need to know about ensuring every room in your house is at a comfortable temperature all year round.

  • Recommended Room Temperatures
  • What Is The Ideal Room Temperature For Sleeping?
  • What Is The Ideal Room Temperature In Winter And Summer?
    • Winter
    • Summer
  • What Is The Appropriate Temperature For An Older Adult's Room?
  • What Is The Best Temperature For A Baby's Room?
  • What Is The Ideal Room Temperature When Pregnant?
  • What Factors Influence The Temperature Of A Room?
  • What Happens If The Temperature In Your Room Is Too High Or Too Low?
    • Too high
    • Too low
  • How Smart Technology Can Help You Save Energy And Reduce Bills
  • The Importance Of Maintaining An Ideal Room Temperature
  • FAQs
  • What is an unhealthy room temperature?
  • What is a smart thermostat?
  • What is the optimal room temperature when you are not at home?
  • What is the ideal room temperature for pets?
  • Final Thoughts

Recommended Room Temperatures

It should be noted that it is completely normal for different people to have different preferences regarding room temperature.

This guide is not about deciding who is right and who is wrong.

The room temperatures discussed in this article are simply those of general agreement by experts in the relative fields of health and finances.

According to research, the average room temperature is between 18°C and 21°C. However, the ideal room temperature is considered to be approximately 18-19°C.

This changes depending on the amount of moisture in the air: if the moisture level is low, the temperature inside your home should be higher.

This list shows what room temperature you should set the thermostat at to create a healthy and comfortable environment at the most cost-effective rate.

Living room

Living rooms represent a communal place in the home where most families tend to spend the most time. Thus, the size of the room and the number of people whose body temperature is contributing to the ambient temperature does cause fluctuation. However, the ideal room temperature for the living room is between 20°C and 22°C.

(Video) What Is the Ideal Temperature for Your Home? #shorts

Study

Like a living room, a study can be used quite extensively. If you use it as a home office, you could be there 8 to 10 hours, five days a week. So, it needs to be comfortable. The ideal room temperature for a study is also between 20°C and 22°C.

Kitchens

Kitchens are typically one of the warmer rooms in the house, primarily due to cooking. As such, the thermostat can be set a bit lower. The ideal room temperature for a kitchen is between 18°C and 20°C.

Bedroom

The bedroom temperature is critical. Not only do we spend approximately one-third of our lives in our bedroom, but a good night's sleep is crucial for our daily lives. Also, a child's bedroom needs to be kept warmer than an adult's simply because younger children cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults.

Generally speaking, the ideal temperature for bedrooms is between 15°C and 22°C, and the younger the person, the warmer it should be.

Bathroom

Unless you enjoy sitting and shivering or stepping out of the shower and freezing, bathrooms have the highest room temperature in the entire house. The ambient temperature for a bathroom is between 22°C and 24°C.

Hallways

Hallways and entry rooms are transient areas with more opportunity for heat loss and less body temperature to stabilise the temperature. They are also areas that remain empty 99% of the time. Thus, hallways and entry rooms should be set to cooler temperatures. The ideal temperature for hallways is between 15°C and 18°C.

Storage rooms

Storage rooms can be a bit tricky. Where they are located in the house matters, such as in the garage compared to the attic, and what is stored affects the room temperature.

Generally speaking, if you are going to heat a storage room, you should treat it as a hallway. And, the higher in the home it is located, the lower you can go.

What is the average daytime temperature that Brits set their heating to?

What Is The Ideal Room Temperature In The UK? (2)

BOXT commissioned a survey of over 500 UK participants via UK forums which revealed that, on average, Brits set their daytime temperature to 19.9°C. 2.4% of the surveyed participants had their central heating set at temperatures above 22°C.

According to Uswitch, households could save around £80 per year by simply turning their heating down by 1°C. With an average daytime temperature of 19.9°C, you could trial turning your heating down by 2°C to maintain a comfortable home temperature while saving £160 per year.

What Is The Ideal Room Temperature For Sleeping?

The ideal room temperature for the best night's sleep is between 16°C and 18°C, according to The Sleep Council.. Again, age is the biggest factor in this. Babies, toddlers, and the elderly should be at the higher end of the range.

(Video) What is the best room temperature for your home? | Hometree

What is the average nighttime temperature that Brits set their heating to?

What Is The Ideal Room Temperature In The UK? (3)

BOXT’s research also revealed that Brits set their nighttime heating to 18.1°C on average. Although this is a relatively low figure, Brits could still benefit from turning the thermostat down by up to 2°C.

According to The Sleep Charity, the ideal room temperature for a comfortable night’s sleep is between 16°C to 18°C. To achieve this temperature, homeowners can reduce the temperature on the thermostat or turn radiators/the boiler off temporarily at night. Avoid temperatures above 24°C, and below 12°C as temperatures that are too high or too low can impact your deep REM sleep and cause restlessness.

The Sleep Charity states, “your body heat peaks late afternoon and then starts to drop in the evening to prepare your body for sleep, kickstarting melatonin production. An ideal bedroom temperature is around 16-18°C (60-65°F).” An exception is “young children and elderly people (who) may require a slightly warmer environment.”

The study revealed that 64% of participants set their nighttime temperature either below or above 16°C to 18°C. Only 36% of the surveyed participants set their nighttime temperature to the recommended range. If your bedroom temperature is 18°C or above and you feel tired or restless at night, reducing the room temperature could result in a better night's sleep and lower energy bills too.

What Is The Ideal Room Temperature In Winter And Summer?

As previously stated, the home's temperature throughout the year should be around 18-19°C. This means central heating should maintain the ideal room temperatures for each room throughout the year.

These temperature ranges and settings do not change from season to season, but the amount of work your heating system needs to do will.

Winter

Cold air humidity is one of the biggest factors for achieving ambient room temperature during the winter season. This factor alone will keep the room temperature fluctuating.

The ideal room temperature during the winter is between 18°C and 20°C.

Instead of constantly attempting to chase an ambient room temperature during the winter season, it is more economical to use blankets and wear warm clothing when relaxing around the house (Yes, dad was right).

Andy Kerr, the co-founder of BOXT, said: “During winter, it can be tempting to crank up the thermostat. But experimenting with different temperatures can both reduce energy bills and potentially lead to a better night’s sleep.”

“Instead of setting one temperature across the whole day, try switching between daytime and nighttime temperatures, as this may make you more comfortable at home and also reduce your energy usage. Smart thermostats make this especially easy to program.”

Summer

The reverse may seem obvious for the summer, but keeping the room temperature down can be as challenging as keeping it warm. Keeping windows open is an effective way to deal with air humidity and help keep a lower room temperature.

The ideal room temperature during the summer is between 17°C and 19°C.

Also, unless you need duvets to sleep, then don't use any or at least lighter ones to help keep you cool through the night.

You might want to consider an air conditioning system to help keep your home cooler in summer.

What Is The Appropriate Temperature For An Older Adult's Room?

A cold room can be very damaging to the health of someone aged 65 or older. The elderly are a high-risk population for weather and temperature-related health issues.

For homes with a resident who is 65 or older, the UK Health Security Agency recommends a room temperature of between 18°C and 21°C, which is especially important to monitor in the bedroom. The NHS further recommends drawing the curtains, keeping doors closed, and using extra blankets or hot water bottles if necessary.

(Video) What is the BEST ROOM TEMPERATURE for sleeping?

What Is The Best Temperature For A Baby's Room?

A baby's body cannot regulate body temperature as effectively as an adult can. In addition, it is tough for babies to tell you whether they are too cold or too hot. To ensure that your baby gets a good night's sleep, the ideal temperature for a baby's bedroom is anywhere between 16°C and 20°C.

What Is The Ideal Room Temperature When Pregnant?

It is very normal for pregnant women to feel warmer. After all, pregnant women have the body temperature of two people to regulate. Thus, it is critically important for pregnant women to stay cool and hydrated.

The ideal room temperature for a pregnant woman is the ambient temperature in which she feels comfortable. There is no set ideal room temperature for this situation.

If, during pregnancy, you have questions about the heating and cooling of your home or cannot seem to get warm or cool enough, you should seek the assistance of your medical provider. We are not the experts in this area to consult, but we can help you create the ideal temperatures you need as advised by your doctor.

How do Brits typically programme their boilers?

What Is The Ideal Room Temperature In The UK? (4)

BOXT found that only 27.3% of surveyed participants scheduled their boilers, with 12.6% programming their heating to come on in the morning and evening and 14.6% scheduling specific times throughout the day.

The survey revealed that 21.3% of participants leave their heating on permanently, while 51.4% don’t schedule their boiler at all.

Of those who didn’t schedule their boilers, the majority turned the heating on according to demand, which in some cases meant that participants rarely had the heating on.

Andy Kerr continued: “To minimise instances where you leave the heating on accidentally or let the home get too warm, try scheduling specific times and temperatures throughout the day. You can also use a smart home thermostat, like the Google Nest, to create a schedule based on your home heating preferences.

“Leaving the heating on permanently can lead to a rise in energy bills. In properties with less insulation, heat is quickly lost in the colder months, so scheduling your heating to come on just before you come home from work will save a significant amount of money and may not alter the indoor temperature you arrive back to by much.”

What Factors Influence The Temperature Of A Room?

Thermal comfort is as much a science as a relative issue, but numerous factors affect and influence room temperature.

The factors that tend to affect thermal comfort the most include:

  • Air temperature - Is the most common and largest contributing factor to thermal comfort. This is the room temperature that is shown on the thermostat.
  • Radiant temperature - Heat is expelled by warm or hot objects, such as the oven in the kitchen.
  • Air velocity - Essentially having a draft. This can be caused by windows and doors not being properly sealed or shutting completely. Also, adding drapes, curtains, shutters, or blinds can help alleviate this factor.
  • Humidity - This is another common and important element. Humidity is the moisture content of the air. If above 50%, maintaining a warmer room temperature is easier and more cost-efficient. For example:
    • If the air humidity is 0% and the air temperature is 29°C, the room will feel 26°C.
    • If the air humidity is 80% and the air temperature is 29°C, the room will feel 36°C.

Temperature extremes, including your home's temperature, can be dangerous to your health. Remember, the ambient temperature directly affects and alters your body temperature. So, it is not simply the room temperature that matters.

Too high

A room temperature that is too high is anything extreme above the average room temperature listed above, which results in raising your body temperature into unsafe zones, specifically room temperatures above 32°C.

Between 32°C and 40°C, you can experience issues of exhaustion, fainting and heat cramps.

Above 40°C and heat exhaustion is very common, and activity should be limited.

Once the temperature reaches 54°C, heatstroke is common.

Too low

A room temperature that is too low is anything considerably below the average room temperature listed above, specifically a room temperature below 17°C.

(Video) Europe’s climate in 2050

Between 15°C and 17°C, you can experience shivering and a drop in body temperature in elderly people.

Between 14°C and 15°C can result in a less effective immune response to respiratory diseases.

Below 14°C can increase blood pressure, increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, and even hypothermia at extreme levels.

Cold air also isn’t effective in transporting water vapour. Because of this, the water vapour will deposit onto the surfaces of your home, which can effectively lead to mould growth.

How Smart Technology Can Help You Save Energy And Reduce Bills

Smart technology is taking over every aspect of our homes. The range of smart technology for your central heating includes:

  • A smart boiler thermostat
  • Thermostatic radiator valves
  • Individual room thermostats
  • Thermostat timer

This technology can regulate every square metre of your home to optimise comfort in the most cost-efficient manner.

BOXT’s optimal boiler schedule

What Is The Ideal Room Temperature In The UK? (5)

To ensure optimum comfort and a reduction in energy bills, BOXT suggests the optimal boiler calendar as demonstrated by the graphic below.

BOXT suggests leaving the boiler on between the times of 6.30 AM and 10.30 PM, turning the boiler off or reducing the temperature whenever you leave home or go to work. This will make sure your boiler is both effective and efficient.

Your boiler can be turned on or up to daytime temperature half an hour before waking up, making it cosy enough to leave the quilt behind. The temperature should be reduced, or the boiler turned off half an hour before going to bed to prepare the body for a restful night’s sleep.

Further energy savings can be made by reducing the boiler temperature when residents leave home. The Google Nest detects when you’re away from home and alters the temperature using this information. You can also change the temperature from your phone if you leave or arrive at home unexpectedly.

The Importance Of Maintaining An Ideal Room Temperature

Maintaining the ideal room temperature is important for several reasons, including:

  • Create a comfortable home
  • A sense of wellbeing
  • Maintain a healthy space
  • Reducing your carbon footprint
  • Keep heating bills and energy bills low

FAQs

What is an unhealthy room temperature?

An unhealthy room temperature is a temperature that is too high or too low. The ideal range is the healthy range because it addresses the various health and safety issues that everyone in the family has. A temperature above or below that range risks adverse effects on some people.

What is a smart thermostat?

A smart thermostat is a digital thermostat that connects your central heating to the internet. This allows you to control and monitor your entire heating system. Typically, you can increase or decrease the temperature of a room or the entire house, schedule a temperature change, and even automate your central heating.

What is the optimal room temperature when you are not at home?

The house doesn’t need to be so warm when you are not home. When the house is empty, it is fine to leave the house temperature between 15.5°C and 18°C. This will save both money and the time in heating it back up for when you return.

What is the ideal room temperature for pets?

Having pets means your home is not empty because you and your family are not there. Pets require a warm home for their health and safety. If you have pets, you should never lower the home temperature below 16°C when you are gone. When home, the ideal temperature for pets is the same as for your family.

Final Thoughts

So, what do you think?

Room temperature is a combination of cost and comfort. Which one you favour is your family's decision.

(Video) Why 25 degrees really is hot in the UK | Did You Know?

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FAQs

What temperature is too cold for a house UK? ›

Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases. 18° is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.

Is 24 degrees hot for a house? ›

The most comfortable room temperature will vary based on your personal preferences, the season, and which areas of the home you are living in. Most people can agree that a healthy range will go from 20 – 24 degrees Celsius (68 – 76 degrees Fahrenheit).

What temperature is the average UK home? ›

The average UK home temperature is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. During Winter, UK citizens typically use their central heating systems for 8 hours a day, usually split into two periods. Heating usage peaks at 7am and 7pm, when people are leaving for and returning from work.

What is the correct room temperature for a house? ›

For example, the ideal temperature of a living room should be around 20 to 22 degrees. This is a room for relaxing in, and where you sit for long periods of time, meaning it should be on the warmer side. Meanwhile, the best temperature for a bathroom or child's bedroom should be warmer too at 22 to 24 degrees.

When should I put the heating on UK? ›

He told us, 'As a general rule of thumb, I would recommend turning on your heating when the average outside temperature starts to fall below 15 degrees Celsius. This is typically in late September or early October.

How many hours a day should heating be on UK? ›

On average, UK homes are heated for about eight hours a day in winter – ten hours a day for homes that have one sustained heating period and seven hours a day for the more usual two heating periods.

Is 23 degrees too hot for a bedroom? ›

Yes. 23 degrees would be too hot to sleep. In fact, it might make it uncomfortable to fall asleep. The ideal temperature should be around 15-19 C.

Is 26 degrees hot for room? ›

Comfort temperatures

The ideal room temperature may vary by place and culture; studies from Nigeria show a comfortable temperature range of 26–28 °C (79–82 °F), comfortably cool 24–26 °C (75–79 °F) and comfortably warm 28–30 °C (82–86 °F).

What is an unhealthy room temperature? ›

A safe temperature is accepted to be between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit for people above the age of 65. The temperature inside your home should not reach below 68 degrees Fahrenheit in any case, as that increases the risk of respiratory disease and even hypothermia if there is prolonged exposure.

Is 16 degrees warm in UK? ›

For someone from a cold country 16°C (60°F) is a lovely, almost warm, spring day. You might find it a bit chilly but it's not really cold, you should be OK with long pants (or tights if you're wearing a dress or skirt), a sweater and a light jacket.

Should you leave heating on all day? ›

According to experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea it's cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is a myth. They're clear that having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money.

Why are UK houses so warm? ›

For generations, homes in Britain were designed to retain heat, to make cold winters bearable. Keeping them cool in the typically mild summers was an afterthought, if it was a thought at all. But in recent years, each new heat wave brings a fresh reminder that buying a fan or two simply won't always cut it.

What is the ideal room temperature for an elderly person UK? ›

Living room temperatures should ideally be kept at 70F (21C) and above whereas bedroom temperatures should be kept at a minimum of 64F (18C).

What is the most efficient way to heat a house UK? ›

The most efficient heating system is electric as it heats evenly and quickly, and currently costs around 28.34 pence per kWh. This gives an average cost of £987.42 per year for a medium-sized house. Mains gas is a natural resource and isn't environmentally friendly.

Why is my room so cold compared to rest of house UK? ›

If there is a cold room in your house, the problem has likely been caused by dirty vents, cracked ductwork, worn insulation or faint drafts. Read on to learn how to fix a cold room in your home.

When should I put heating on UK 2022? ›

In order to avoid unnecessary heating problems, the expert shared that October 1 2022 is the best time to begin turning on your heating. He also revealed that leaving it on at a lower temperature of 16 degrees Celsius for a couple hours each day is enough to "warm up" the system.

What temperature should I turn the heat on UK? ›

On average, UK householders first turn on their post-summer heating when the outside temperature drops to 13.5°C, but there's a difference between Southerners, Northerners, and Scots. The average outdoor temperature needed to get Southern English people to first turn on their thermostat after the summer is 13.5°C.

What temperature is too cold for a house? ›

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends indoor temperatures of at least 64°F (you can drop that down to 62°F at night if you're really looking to save on your heating bill). But if you have infants, sick or elderly people in your household, then it's recommended that you keep the thermostat set at 70°F.

Is it cheaper to leave central heating on low all the time UK? ›

According to the experts at the Energy Savings Trust, the idea that you can save money by keeping your central heating permanently on low is a myth. This is mainly because of problems with home insulation. If your house is old or draughty, for example, heat will be leaking out through windows and doors.

How much does it cost to leave heating on all night UK? ›

According to research from Energy Helpline, keeping your radiators on all night will cost you an extra £10.80 a day. Over the course of a week, that would cost you £75.60, and if you did it all month you could be paying out a whopping £335.

Is it cheaper to leave heat on all day? ›

In fact, leaving your heat on all day can actually cost you much more than turning it off every now and then. Heat tends to diffuse, so the high heat in your home will diffuse to areas of low heat outside the home during the winter. So even when you have your furnace on, your home is always losing a little bit of heat.

Is 18 degrees cold for a bedroom? ›

Bedrooms should be relatively cooler, between 16 and 19°C. Our body temperature decreases during sleep and a cold room helps maintain our internal temperature regulation to get a good night's sleep. Children's bedrooms should be slightly warmer, around 17-20°C, depending on their age.

How hot is too hot to sleep UK? ›

Your room is too hot

If your bedroom is too warm and stuffy or your sleeping surface is unable to breathe and disperse moisture, you may begin to sweat and overheat.” She suggests your sleep might be disturbed if the temperature rises above 23.8C.

Is it healthier to sleep in a cold room? ›

The ideal temperature for sleep is about 65°F (18.3°C), give or take a few degrees. Our body temperature naturally drops a little during sleep, and a cool — but not cold — sleeping environment is ideal to have a good night's sleep. When it's too hot, you're more likely to toss and turn, which disrupts your sleep.

Is 21 degrees too hot for a house? ›

What do the independent experts say? The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius during winter. And The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests 18 degrees is the ideal temperature for healthy and well-dressed people.

What is too hot for a bedroom? ›

An ideal bedroom temperature is around 16-18°C (60-65°F). Hot, cold and draughty rooms can seriously impact on your sleep, in particular REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Temperatures over 24°C (71°F) are likely to cause restlessness, while a cold room of about 12°C (53°F) will make it difficult to drop off.

How hot is too hot for a bedroom? ›

Drerup says. With the heat of the room, your body temperature will also rise, thus undoing the sleep initiation process entirely. If your bedroom temperature is above 70° F, it's too hot.

Can living in a cold house make you sick? ›

Cold homes contribute to excess winter mortality and morbidity. Most of the health burden can be attributed to both respiratory and cardiovascular disease, especially for older people. In children, the excess winter health burden is mostly due to respiratory disease.

Can sleeping in a cold room make you sick? ›

You can't get sick from being cold in general, whether you are outside or inside,” Fecher says.

How can I keep my house warm in winter UK? ›

So here are 10 simple tips for keeping your home warm for little or no extra cost – just in time for that severe weather warning.
  1. Use your curtains. ...
  2. Use timers on your central heating. ...
  3. Move your sofa. ...
  4. Maximise your insulation. ...
  5. Wrap up warm. ...
  6. Turn down the dial. ...
  7. Block out the draughts. ...
  8. Install thermostatic radiator valves.
9 Nov 2016

Is 21 degrees hot or cold UK? ›

Some UK studies have shown that the average room temperature is 18°C, but the ideal room temperature is 21°C. Increasing your room temperature by just a few degrees will increase your energy bills substantially, so it's best to avoid turning up your thermostat too much.

Is 26 degrees hot in the UK? ›

Brits consider it too hot to cuddle, blow-dry their hair - and even wear clothes - as soon as the temperature hits 26 degrees C. The poll of 2,000 adults found that driving, cleaning the house, and doing DIY also feature in the top 20 list of things they avoid doing when the mercury rises.

Is 15 degrees cold or hot UK? ›

Fifteen degrees might seem chilly, but it's actually a pretty comfortable temperature—not too hot but not too cold.

What is the cheapest way to heat a room UK? ›

There's a good reason why many houses have gas central heating installed – it's the cheapest option. Radiators are generally energy-efficient and produce plenty of heat with minimal wastage. If you're looking to heat a room for minimal cost, then crank the radiator right up.

What is the cheapest form of heating UK 2022? ›

The cheapest way to heat your home is with a gas boiler and solar thermal panels, which will cost the typical three-bedroom house £15,980 over 10 years.

Is it cheaper to keep your house at a constant temperature? ›

Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.

Why are British houses so poorly insulated? ›

Poor insulation is an issue with much of the older housing stock in Britain as they do not have sufficient insulation installed to eliminate draughts and stop damp emerging. Houses that were built before 1925 were constructed withsolid walls but unfortunately, these needed insulating.

Why do British houses not have AC? ›

“We are a heating-dominated country, not a cooling-dominated country,” said Tadj Oreszczyn, a professor of energy and environment at the University College London Energy Institute. He added: “We haven't designed our homes historically to cope with overheating. We've designed them to keep ourselves warm.”

Why British houses are so cold? ›

Over a third of the homes in the UK were built before 1945 and three quarters before 1980. This puts the UK at the top the rankings for the oldest building stock in Europe. Often these older homes are single dwellings with poor insulation and heating systems that consume four times as much energy.

Why do old people keep their house so warm? ›

But that isn't the only reason many seniors enjoy warmer temperatures. In cold conditions, including sitting for long periods in air-conditioned rooms, older muscles can become stiff, cause pain and restrict ease of movement— one reason warmer temperatures might feel better to an older person.

What room temperature is too cold for elderly? ›

What Is the Ideal Room Temperature for an Elderly Person? Research has shown that the average and safe room temperature for older adults is around 78 degrees. To prevent an elderly adult from becoming too cold, it is recommended that the room temperature never falls below 65 degrees.

What temperature should old people sleep in? ›

This Is the Ideal Room Temperature for an Elderly Person

The average—and safe—room temperature for an elderly person is around 78 degrees, according to research published in Age and Aging. To prevent an elderly person from becoming too cold, it's recommended the room temperature never drops below 65 degrees.

Should I leave my heating on all night? ›

Not only is it okay to leave the heater on all night, it can save you money. Here's the secret: Set the temperature of your home at least eight degrees lower for the eight hours or so that you sleep at night. Every degree you lower the thermostat can net you an estimated 1% off your heating bill.

Does turning radiators off save money? ›

Advantages. As long as you close the doors so the cold air doesn't seep into the rest of the house, you will save money by turning off the radiators in unused rooms. By doing so, you'll prevent the water in the system running through that particular radiator.

Should all radiators be on full? ›

You might therefore think that all valves on all your radiators should remain fully open all the time in order to allow the free flow of water. However, while this sounds good in theory, this could lead to an imbalance in your heating system whereby some radiators get hotter than others.

Is a colder house healthier? ›

According to the World Health Organization, it is dangerous to live for a prolonged period of time in a home under 64 degrees. The uncomfortable truth is that cold indoor temperatures can have a significant impact on our health, and could lead to serious, if not fatal health complications over time.

Does adding furniture to a room make it warmer? ›

Empty rooms are always colder

It may seem a bit odd, but it's a simple climatic principle. Air heats and cools faster than objects, but it doesn't retain the temperature. Furniture, curtains, clothes, and decorations absorb heat and then re-radiate it into the air, making it warmer.

Are rooms with windows colder? ›

Windows – Typically, windows lose the most heat in the winter and the most cold in the summer. If a room has a lot of windows in it, then summer heat and winter cold is going to be making its way in.

› what-temperature-should-... ›

Over the last 40 years, the average temperature of a room in homes across the UK has risen considerably. This is largely due to improved insulation, and the pop...
We've been keeping homes warm and cosy for the last 200 years. So to help you do the same for yours, we'll take a closer look at the ideal temperature f...
Find out what the Optimum Room Temperature is for your home here. We review day and night time temperature recommendations in our full guide.

Is 20 degrees too cold for a house? ›

The ideal healthy home temperature should be no higher than 20 degrees Celsius or 68 degrees Fahrenheit. When you're at home during the day, you'll be quite comfortable at this temperature.

How cold is too cold to live in a house? ›

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends indoor temperatures of at least 64°F (you can drop that down to 62°F at night if you're really looking to save on your heating bill). But if you have infants, sick or elderly people in your household, then it's recommended that you keep the thermostat set at 70°F.

What is the lowest temperature you can safely keep your house? ›

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 64 degrees (F) in the Winter months while people are in the home. If there are infants or elderly individuals, they recommend keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at a minimum.

What is the lowest temperature your house should be? ›

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 64 F as the minimum safe indoor temperature for most adults. Temperatures lower than this, especially in areas of high humidity, can led to respiratory problems.

What is an unhealthy room temperature? ›

A safe temperature is accepted to be between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit for people above the age of 65. The temperature inside your home should not reach below 68 degrees Fahrenheit in any case, as that increases the risk of respiratory disease and even hypothermia if there is prolonged exposure.

Is 16 degrees to cold for a house? ›

For those with respiratory problems or allergies, they recommend a minimum of 16C (60.8C); and for the sick, disabled, very old or very young, a minimum of 20C (68F). Our expectations of thermal comfort have been raised by central heating at home and at work, and because we are more sedentary.

IS 17 C cold for a house? ›

The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius during winter. And The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests 18 degrees is the ideal temperature for healthy and well-dressed people. Both agree this is also the ideal temperature for sleeping.

Why is my house so cold UK? ›

The number one reason your home is always cold is likely poor insulation. Because heat rises, lofts and roofs are huge sources of heat loss. Ensuring your loft space is properly insulated can save you a literal fortune. Up to 25% of the heat you generate in your home could be being lost through the roof!

Can you live without heating UK? ›

Especially knowing that it is possible to live without heating or air conditioning, even though it is not easy. One of the main keys to achieving this lies in changing the distribution of our home, a decision that can help us greatly reduce our gas and electricity bills.

Can living in a cold house make you sick? ›

Cold homes contribute to excess winter mortality and morbidity. Most of the health burden can be attributed to both respiratory and cardiovascular disease, especially for older people. In children, the excess winter health burden is mostly due to respiratory disease.

What is the ideal room temperature for an elderly person UK? ›

Living room temperatures should ideally be kept at 70F (21C) and above whereas bedroom temperatures should be kept at a minimum of 64F (18C).

What is the best room temperature for sleeping? ›

The best bedroom temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.

Is 22 degrees Celsius hot or cold? ›

22C is pleasantly mild, definitely not cold. It is roughly equivalent to what the Americans call 70F. In other words, a nice day.

Does turning radiators off save energy? ›

Your boiler uses up the same amount of energy however many radiators it has to heat, but by turning some of them off, your boiler will work more efficiently, meaning the rest of the house will warm up sooner so the boiler switches off sooner, and you'll save money because you're using less gas.

Is it better to turn down the heat at night? ›

According to Energy.gov, the better way to save money on heating bills is to set back the temperature of your home at least 8 degrees for 8 hours or longer (while you sleep). In fact, you can save 1% on your heating bill for every degree that you lower the thermostat.

What temperature should I put heating on? ›

What temperature should rooms be in winter? Ideally you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18 °C. This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease.

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