Working out the best room temperature for your home can be difficult. Balancing the comfort of different family members can make the decision over how to manage your central heating a complicated one.
Fortunately, we can share some tips to guide you through finding a comfortable temperature for you.
Introduction to room temperature.
It is common for members of the same household to prefer different room temperatures. The ambient room temperature can be affected by factors such as air humidity, clothing worn and levels of physical activity. These can all affect a person’s thermal comfort and therefore change their preferred room temperature.
Air humidity is particularly impactful; the higher the humidity, the lower the room temperature needs to be, and vice versa.
Achieving the right temperature for your home is crucial for a number of reasons. Physical comfort should be a priority. Being too warm can impact your ability to concentrate, whilst being too cold may increase your risk of illnesses. More information on how to take care of yourself and others during the colder months is available on the NHS website.
The cost of central heating may also be a significant factor to consider when choosing the appropriate room temperature, which is where different heating systems come into play.
How to heat different rooms.
The average room temperature is typically around 20°C. This is a good ambient temperature, but you may wish to heat rooms to different temperatures to suit your individual needs. Remember that reducing your home’s temperature can help you reduce your environmental footprint as well as your energy bills.
Heating controls and thermostats allow you to schedule your home, especially if you are regularly out of the home.
Living rooms and home offices are typically heated to around 20-22°C, as this is the area you are most likely to spend long periods of time. To lessen your environmental impact, consider lowering the room temperature or scheduling your heating.
Rooms such as kitchens typically experience high activity levels, so they can be kept at lower temperatures. Activities such as cooking, washing, cleaning etc will all impact the temperature of the room.
Bathrooms are usually heated to around 20 to 22°C to ensure a comfortable temperature after showering. However, to reduce your carbon footprint, consider reducing the temperature to reduce your environmental impact and your heating bills.
Bedrooms should be relatively cooler, between 16 and 19°C. Our body temperature decreases during sleep and a cold room can help maintain our internal temperature regulation. We also warm up whilst in bed so having the heating set to high would be a waste of energy overnight. Children’s bedrooms should be slightly warmer, around 16-20°C, depending on their age!
Any spaces where people spend less, such as corridors, laundry rooms and lofts, can be cooler than normal living spaces. Aiming for temperatures between 15 to 18°could also help you save on your heating bills.
We appreciate that it may be difficult to change individual room temperatures for most people. Smart controls such as programmable thermostats paired with smart radiators or underfloor heating help to manage temperature on a room-by-room basis. Scheduling your heating can help keep your home comfortably heated, whilst also improving your carbon footprint and reducing energy bills.
Typical temperature for different rooms.
| Room | Typical temperature |
|---|---|
| Living Room | 20°C - 22°C |
| Bedroom | 16°C-19°C |
| Children's Bedroom | 16°C-20°C |
| Home Office | 20°C-22°C |
| Entryway | 15°C-18°C |
| Corridor | 15°C-18°C |
| Bathroom | 20°C-22°C |
| Kitchen | 18°C-20°C |
What is the ideal room temperature in winter and summer?
A comfortable room temperature for most people is usually between 18-20 °C, however it largely depends on the individual. Whatever the season, it is recommended that you use a thermostat to monitor how the temperature fluctuates throughout the day.
Due to the colder weather in winter, it is usually harder and more costly to maintain this temperature in the home. There are several ways in which you can prepare your home to be more energy efficient during the winter months. There includes investing in upgrades to improve efficiency and using soft furnishings to keep heat within the home.
In summer, the challenge will often be dropping the temperature down to 18-20 °C. We recommend opening windows to keep humidity low and using thinner duvets to achieve a good night’s sleep.
How to heat a home economically.
Heating a home is a significant monthly outgoing for households, particularly in the colder months. It, therefore, stands to reason that we should seek out ways to heat our home in a more cost-efficient way.
Many people try to achieve this by reducing their central heating overnight or turning it off completely in unused rooms. While this can reduce costs quite significantly in the short-term, they eventually encounter several problems.
Firstly, a home that is too cold risks mould build-up. This is because cold air transports less water vapour condensing on windows and walls. Not only is mould unpleasant to deal with, but it can also cause health issues if left untreated. Moreover, it can also be damaging to the property and cost significant amounts to remove.
Secondly, reducing central heating in this way makes your boiler work harder to achieve your ambient temperature, using more fuel. While this is cheaper than leaving your heating on low all the time, there are better ways to improve efficiency.
Upgrading your homes insulation, glazing, or draught proofing can help you save on heating bills. One of the best ways to manage your homes heating is by using periphery devices such as smart controls and TRVs.
Smart controls allow you to schedule your home’s heating to suit your routine. Controls such as the vSMART and senso range can help control your home’s heat whilst you’re away. Meanwhile, thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) can help you control heating room by room to maximise your comfort for each room. This can help give you more control over when you use energy, and how much, saving you money in the process.
Other questions surrounding temperature.
During pregnancy?
According to the NHS, many women report feeling hotter during pregnancy. Whilst there is no set ideal temperature, we would recommend finding a temperature that is comfortable for you. If you are concerned about the heating in your home during pregnancy, speak to a medical professional.
For babies and children?
Given their age, babies and young children are less able to regulate their own body temperature. It is therefore important to use central heating to keep them comfortable.
The NHS recommends that the room temperature for a sleeping baby should sit around 16-20°C. The Lullaby Trust advises using a room thermometer to monitor your baby’s room.
Similarly, the NHS advises to keep a child’s bedroom well-ventilated and at a temperature between 16-20°C.
Make sure to regularly check the temperature of the room and consult a medical professional.
For the elderly?
The CDC advises that mature adults are more sensitive to temperature changes either hot or cold weather or indoor temperature changes. The NHS recommends heating your home to at least 18°C if you are elderly, not very mobile, or have a health condition. You may also with to use either a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm in bed.
The NHS also recommends that you draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to avoid draughts. It is also important to maintain your heating system with annual servicing by a qualified installer.
For pets?
There are many factors that influence the ambient room temperature for your pet. Size, weight, age, health, coat type, breed – all these factors play a part in deciding a pet’s thermal comfort level.
Furthermore, PDSA explains that pets are prone to overheating and losing heat, therefore it is important to monitor their temperature. In hot weather, the charity advises to look out for signs of heatstroke and contact a vet if needed. Read more professional advice on how to look after your pet in hot temperatures at RSPCA’s website.
During colder periods, your pet’s body temperature is more likely to drop. Therefore, PDSA suggests preparing extra blankets and keeping central heating on for longer overnight during the winter months. If you are concerned about the heating in your home for your pet’s safety and wellbeing, speak to your vet.
Summary.
The ideal room temperature is different for every person, and changes depending on humidity, clothing, and activity levels. We recommend aiming for an average room temperature of 20°C, with the bedroom slightly cooler and the bathroom slightly warmer. Invest in a digital thermostat to better track and manage your home’s temperature wherever you are.
If you want to take advantage of this higher efficiency, just contact the friendly team at Heat From Air and we will handle everything for you. Follow our journey on LinkedIn and Instagram too for handy tips and tricks.
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