What temperature should I heat my home to?

What is a healthy room temperature?

Ideally, a comfortable home temperature should be between 18 and 21 °C. It may seem logical to turn your heating off to avoid high energy bills in the winter months, opting instead for additional layers of clothing or space heaters to keep warm. While a great way to reduce energy bills in the short-term, it can become counterintuitive.

Not only can pipes freeze if heating systems aren’t regularly used, but you could be putting your health at risk.

Here’s a breakdown of the household temperature scale with regard to health.

• 24°C – very warm, risk to those with heart conditions
• 21–24°C – increasingly uncomfortable
• 18-21°C – comfortable temperature
• 18°C – minimum for being comfortable
• 12-16°C – risk for those with respiratory problems
• 12°C – cold, risk to those with heart conditions
• 9°C – very cold, could be a risk for hypothermia

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How much can I save by changing the temperature on my thermostat?

We all know that heating bills can become very expensive during colder months. But what you might not know is that you don’t have to sacrifice warmth if you want to save money. In fact, extensive research has shown that even turning your thermostat down by as little as 1 degree can save as much as £80 on your annual energy bill.

It may also be worth looking at alternative ways of heating your home. Our guide to the most energy efficient heating methods will tell you all you need to know.

Furthermore (and we’re sorry to sound like nagging parents) but putting on another layer whilst turning down your thermostat will help keep you a comfortable temperature. If you’re walking around in shorts and a t-shirt in a heated house in winter, you’re paying for that luxury.

Should I heat some rooms more than others?

This comes down to personal preference, but there is some general guidance we can offer.  Most of us prefer to be cooler at night rather than too warm, so for this reason you may want to keep your bedroom at a lower temperature (though not too cold as you run the risk of illness).

By contrast, your bathroom might benefit from a higher temperature. Not only will it ease the shock of stepping out of your hot shower, but the humidity will help to retain warmth, meaning less work for your boiler.

You should also make sure your radiator valves are working and are frequently bled, as this’ll allow you to accurately set the temperature for each room.