What’s the ideal room temperature for your home?
21 November 2021 | Stephen Marcus
The thermostat: for many of us, it’s a hotly-debated topic in the colder months. We all want to ward off the cold, but the ideal temperature can mean something different to everyone. Because everyone’s experience of temperature can be slightly different. One person’s “warm” could be another’s “chilly”.
These different expectations can be tricky to negotiate. And it’s not just that you need to make sure everyone you live with is happy. Keeping an eye on your energy use can also help lower your bills and your carbon footprint.
In this article, we give you the basics on the ideal room temperature. You’ll learn the best settings for each room, how to improve your energy-efficiency, and get advice on heating your home economically and sustainably.
A quick introduction to room temperature
So what do we mean by room temperature? Generally, this refers to the ambient temperature of a room – which is how warm or cold the air is.
This can be affected by a number of things, such as humidity – which is to do with how much moisture there is in the air. The more humid it is, the more the air will retain its warmth.
How we experience temperature will also depend on what we’re wearing, and our level of activity. If you’ve just come home after a run, say, or you’re wearing lots of warm layers, you’re more likely to feel warm than if you’ve been home reading a book in shorts and a t-shirt.
What's the ideal temperature for each room in your house?
The average room temperature is around 20°C. So if you’re looking for a way to settle debates over where to set the dial, that could be a good place to start.
It’s also worth remembering that it’s a great idea to tailor the temperature to different rooms. Here’s some information on the best temperature, room by room.
The ideal temperature for your living room
The ideal temperature in the living room is between 19°C and 22°C. This is where you spend a lot of time – and often for long periods sitting still – so it’s likely that you might get a bit more chilly. Of course, the higher the temperature, the more energy you’ll use. It’s generally a good idea to go no higher than 21°C.
The ideal temperature for your bathroom
You might like to set your bathroom temperature to around 22°C, so you feel comfortable when you step out of the bath or shower. Plus, running the bath or shower will create humidity that keeps more warmth in the air – meaning that your boiler won’t have to do as much work to maintain the temperature.
The ideal temperature for your bedroom
Your bedroom doesn’t need to be as warm as other rooms. This is because you generally spend your time there in bed. Many of us don’t like to be too hot at night, so a bedroom’s ideal temperature shouldn’t be any higher than 20°C – and it could be as low as 15°C or 16°C.
What is the ideal room temperature in winter and summer?
The ideal room temperature is actually the same all year round. Whether it’s summer or winter, you should aim for around 18°C to 20°C as a guide.
In the summer months, the challenge can be more about bringing the temperature down. Humidity is a big factor, so opening windows and doors to create air flow will help lower the moisture in the air – and with it, the temperature.
Whether it’s winter or summer, our guide to the world’s best low carbon heating options could help you find alternative ways to keep your house warm, and your lifestyle greener.
Have average room temperatures changed?
In short – yes, they have. In the last 40 years, the average room temperature in the UK has risen a lot – mostly thanks to central heating becoming more commonplace, and improved insulation standards.
Back in 1970, the average temperature of a home in the UK in the winter months was around 12°C. Now, decades later, this has moved all the way up to between 17°C and 23°C.
If you’d like to find out more about bringing your heating costs down with improved insulation, head to our ultimate guide to roof and loft insulation.
What is a healthy room temperature?
The basic level of warmth for a healthy person wearing warm clothing is 18°C. This standard is recognised by the World Health Organisation, and is the minimum standard in the government’s latest UK cold weather plan.
Here are some basic benchmarks for indoor temperatures:
- 24°C – very warm, could be unsafe for heart conditions
- 18-21°C – comfortable temperature
- 18°C – minimum for being comfortable
- 12-16°C – fairly cold, could be unsafe for respiratory conditions
- 12°C – cold, could be unsafe for heart conditions
- 9°C – very cold, could be a risk for hypothermia
What is a typical thermostat setting?
There’s no doubt about it – the average thermostat setting in the UK has risen in the past few decades. Compared to the average of around 12°C in the 1970s, the average nowadays ranges from around 17°C to 23°C.
How to heat a home economically and sustainably
It can be expensive to heat your home during the winter months. According to the Energy Saving Trust, heating makes up over half of the average UK household’s heating bill. And there’s an impact on the climate too. According to the Committee on Climate Change, 19% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from heating our homes and workplaces.1
So it’s definitely wise to keep on top of how you use your heating, to make sure that your bills stay manageable – and to bring down carbon emissions. There are a few things to bear in mind:
- Turning off the heating can create different issues. As well as making it hard for you to stay warm, it can lead to issues such as damp and mould, which can cause health issues and damage your home.
- Keep doors closed. This means it will be easier to maintain the ambient temperature of individual rooms, so that the boiler has less work to do.
- Try radiator valves. An affordable addition to your heating system, radiator valves allow you to adjust the temperature of individual radiators, giving you more control, so that you’re not just warming an empty room.
For more on how to bring down your energy use and carbon emissions, see some of our handy guides:
- 7 ways to make your home more energy-efficient
- How much energy do you use to heat your home, and what's the cost?
And don't forget the importance of electrical safety around your home. Here are 45 electrical safety tips to make sure you and your family stay safe.
What is the average amount of time we should heat our homes for?
According to a government study, the average time for households with central heating is 7.5 hours a day.2 For homes without central heating, the average is nearly double, at around 13 hours.
When should we heat our homes: should we leave heating on throughout the day?
In that same government study, there was a big divide between those who put the heating on in 2 bursts, and those who kept it on all day, without a break.
The first approach is most common. In this case, households have a burst of heating in the morning, and then another longer period in the evening – usually to warm the house before and after work.
If you’re interested in finding out more, and dispelling some myths about energy use, find out more in our practical guide on how to run central heating more efficiently during the winter.
Can smart technology help control my heating?
In recent years, a host of new technologies have emerged, with the potential to help you better control your heating – and perhaps save you some money. These include more sophisticated heat-zoning systems, and smart thermostats.
A smart thermostat lets you control your heating and hot water with your smartphone, tablet or computer, at any time, and anywhere. It gives you more flexibility and control over your energy use, and can make your home more comfortable. It can also help you to save money.
Read our practical guide to smart thermostats and how they can help you control your heating from everywhere, and reduce your energy bills.
Can I save money by controlling room temperature?
The colder you keep your home, the lower your heating bill will be – simply because a cooler house loses less heat. Of course, the better your insulation is, the more warmth you’ll keep in.
So is it possible to save money by keeping your home at the comfortable level of between 18°C and 21°C? Yes.
Another way to save money on your energy bills is by switching suppliers. Why not see how much you could save by switching to OVO? You make the switch. We’ll help you save.
Make the most of your heating
Ultimately, the purpose of your heating system is to keep you warm. And as we can see from the data, for most people this means maintaining a temperature of between 18°C and 21°C.
Aside from making your home as energy-efficient as possible, heating on a budget is about creating warm spaces for when you’ll use them. This could mean having the heating on in your living room when you plan to watch a movie, but not when you’re in bed, or at the shops.
This way, you get comfort when you need it most, and minimise costs when you’re away, sleeping, or not using a room.
Other questions about ideal room temperatures and thermostat settings
It’s important to be more careful with temperature when it comes to babies and young children. They tend to be less able to regulate their body temperature, and so central heating can be important, to make sure they’re in a safe and comfortable environment.
The most important place to bear this in mind is in their bedroom. This ideal temperature for a baby is between 16°C and 20°C (according to the NHS and The Lullaby Trust).
Likewise, it’s important to be more careful with temperature if you or someone in your house is older. Those aged 65 or over are at higher risk of health complications from cold weather, so it’s important to make sure the house and bedroom is warm enough. A couple of things to bear in mind:
- Keep the home heated to at least 18°C
- Draw curtains at dusk, and keep doors closed to avoid draughts
There are a lot of different kinds of pets. So the answer to this really depends on what kind you have. And even when it comes to having a cat or dog, say, there are further things to consider still. What type of breed is it? And how old are they? Here are a couple of things bear in mind:
- Most pets prefer a similar temperature to humans – so if you’re okay with the thermostat settings, then your pet probably is too
- Be mindful in the summer – for some pets, overheating can be a risk in the hotter months, so try and make sure the house is as cool and ventilated as possible
Summary
- The ideal room temperature is different for everyone – it depends how different people respond to heat and cold, as well as what you’ve been doing that day, or what you’re wearing.
- Be mindful of those with particular needs – be mindful of those with particular needs. Young children and the elderly often need slightly warmer temperatures. According to The Lullaby Trust, babies' bedrooms should ideally be between 16°C to 20°C.
- Aim for an average of 20°C – with the bedroom slightly cooler, and the bathroom slightly warmer.
- Consider getting a smart thermostat – this could help you track and manage your energy use, and save money
- One of the easiest ways to cut down your energy bills is to find a better deal – ideally with an energy company that offers renewable energy. With the right deal, not only will you help to lower your bills, but you’ll also be burning through far fewer fossil fuels – which is a win-win for both you and the environment. Why not see how much you could save with OVO? You make the switch. We’ll help you save and cut carbon.
Sources and references:
1 https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/CCC-2018-Progress-Report-to-Parliament.pdf