On the whole, the temperature at which people are most comfortable is subjective. You probably know that one person who has such a hot house that you have to make sure you dress for summer whenever you visit. On the other hand, you probably also know someone else who keeps their home so cold that you need to grab an extra layer before you head round there.
It’s the temperature of your own home that matters the most to you. For the majority of people, there are a number of deciding factors that need to be considered when picking the temperature to heat their home. These can be:
- The most comfortable temperature
- The cheapest temperature
- The most eco-friendly temperature
- A combination of these three
Everyone’s idea of the perfect temperature is going to be different based on these factors. But what does the research compiled by the experts say?
What is the Average UK Room Temperature?
The answer to this question will differ slightly depending on the time of year. Typically during the summer, we have a lot less control on the temperature of our home. This is because heatwaves can cause the temperature to increase to a point that we struggle to maintain it or get it any lower.
Most people set their home thermostats to 20°C in the winter, bringing the average home temperature during the colder months to 18°C. This is a significant increase to the average home temperature 50 years ago, which was a very cool 12°C. That wasn’t a matter of choice though. Over the last 50 years there has been a significant increase in the average temperature due to factors like improved home insulation and more effective central heating systems.
A few people who have been surveyed reported heating their homes between 25°C and 30°C. This is almost the temperature in a tropical climate! Those who preferred a cooler home tended to set their thermostats to 15°C at the lower end of the scale.
Do Women Prefer Higher Temperatures?
Do People Prefer Different Temperatures in Different Rooms?
Arguing with your partner about the temperature that the thermostat to is an all-too-common occurrence in the UK. Many UK couples have reported to sneakily adjusting the thermostat when they thought their partner was unaware. Some studies have backed up the fact that men and women have different preferences when it comes to room temperature. The average woman prefers her home to be 2.5°C hotter than the average man.
When it comes to choosing the perfect temperature we also need to take into account the different rooms within our homes. For example, we may prefer our bedroom to be cooler than our living room. So what are the ideal temperatures for the various rooms within our homes?
| Room | Ideal temperature (°C) |
| Living room | 18-20°C |
| Bedroom (adult) | 16-19°C |
| Bedroom (children, not including babies) | 22-24°C |
| Bathroom | 22-24°C |
| Hallways/storage rooms | 15-18°C |
So with a potential 8°C difference in temperature between various rooms within your home, how can you control the central heating so that the ideal temperature is reached in each one? The easiest way to achieves this is to invest in some thermostatic radiator valves – also known as smart TRVs.
Using smart TRVs throughout your home will enable you to control the individual temperatures of different rooms. This means that you could heat the radiator in your bedroom to a completely different temperature to the radiator in your living room. The great thing about smart TRVs is that – like a smart thermostat – they can be controlled by a mobile app. This means that you can turn the heating up or down, on or off from the comfort of wherever you already are. This can reduce both your bills as well as your carbon footprint.
Is the Temperature of a Room Important?
We’ve already discussed comfort and cost, but there are other factors related to the temperature of your rooms that can make it an important thing to consider. As well as what we’ve already spoke about, keeping your home at the correct temperature can:
- Improve your state of mind
- Prevent damage to your home caused by damp or mould.
- Keep you in good health
- Reduce your carbon footprint and impact on the environment
The best way to ensure that the temperatures are correct in your house is to keep your boiler running smoothly. And in order to do that it’s a good idea to get your boiler serviced annually. Doing so can also keep things running more efficiently and therefore save you money on bills.
What is a Healthy Room Temperature?
The World Health Organisation recommends to keep a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C within the home. If there are babies or small children living in your home, then 21°C is better.
According to the NHS people are at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, flue, pneumonia, falls, injuries and hypothermia if temperatures fall below 8°C. Such low temperatures can also have a negative impact on conditions such as depression, dementia, and other mental health problems.
There is a plethora of information on how to keep warm during the winter months on the NHS website.
Is your Boiler System Working Effectively?
If any of the following apply to you, then consider calling a boiler expert to make sure that your boiler and heating system are working to their full potential. This is covered more in our article Four Warning Signs you need new Boiler.
- You don’t think your home is heating up properly
- Your heating bills are increasing despite no change in tariff
- Your radiators don’t feel hot
- You turn your boiler up but it doesn’t seem to make a difference
So what’s the Best Temperature?
With all things considered, if you have no babies or elderly people within your household, then you should set your thermostat to the lowest possible temperature that all members of your household are comfortable with. If you currently set your thermostat to 20°C out of habit, then consider lowering it a degree or two to save yourself some money on your energy bills. Not only will you notice lower bills, but you’ll also be reducing your carbon emissions.
If you wish to avoid potential expensive boiler breakdowns that could leave you and your family in the cold, then consider getting some cover for your boiler. Our website compares the costs from all the UKs leading boiler cover companies so you can choose the boiler cover that’s right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Throughout the year, the average UK home temperature is 20°C. During the colder months it is 18°C.
According to studies, women are more comfortable on average when temperatures are 2.5°C higher then the most comfortable temperature for men.
It is recommended to increase the average temperature of your home to a minimum of 22°C if you have elderly people in your household.
3 replies on “What’s the Ideal Temperature for my Home?”
I set our heating to 19 degrees. It’s the perfect compromise because it keeps the bills fairly low, while at the same time heating our sitting room, dining room, large kitchen/diner, study, four bedrooms, bathroom and en-suite. We have a double garage too but we don’t heat that.
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