What’s the Ideal Room Temperature for Different Seasons?

16th June 2022

When it comes to thermostat settings, people have their own idea of what constitutes a warm room. For some, the idea of sitting in constant warmth is heavenly, while others much prefer a cooler living environment.

Furthermore, each room should have a different temperature setting and seasonal changes lead to a fluctuating ideal room temperature.

So, what is the ideal temperature for each room and season? Let’s find out.

The Average Room Temperature

When most people are asked what the ideal room temperature is, many say 21℃, but in reality, most households keep their room temperature at 18℃.

One reason for this is that people are more conscious than ever about how much they’re spending on energy, and many households turn down the thermostat to save money.

Reducing your room temperature even by three degrees can result in significant savings, so it’s clear why people are using this method as an economical solution.

What About Ambient Temperature?

Ambient temperature refers to the room and air temperature. Both objects and the environment directly impacts the ambient temperature, so it’s challenging to regulate.

For example, a laptop is affected by ambient temperature because when the air is too hot, the device will shut down.

It’s essential to understand how ambient temperature can fluctuate, depending on numerous factors such as:

The Weather
Heating & Cooling Systems
Humidity
People in a Room
Electrical Equipment

While a thermostat controls room temperature, ambient temperature is difficult to maintain because external influences play a significant role in the alterations.

In most homes, the ambient temperature should range from 18-19℃ if you want to be warm but not feel too much heat.

How Do the Seasons Effect Ambient Temperature?

Ambient room temperature guidelines state that a room should be between 18-19℃ throughout the year, so households should always try to achieve this – but it isn’t easy.

Spring and autumn are usually the best seasons for maintaining the perfect temperature, but households soon find that summer and winter prove to be difficult seasons for their thermostat.

Summer Temperatures

Summers in the UK are getting hotter, and this year we saw temperatures of around 30℃ (Evening Standard). The weather was sweltering, and as a country with no built-in air conditioning units, it was near impossible to reduce the room temperature to 18℃.

Fan sales rocketed during May, June and July, but they did little to help the room temperature, as most circulate warm air.

Winter Temperatures

Winter is another challenging season, especially when you’re trying to warm your home. While autumn weather is less severe, it’s becoming common for the UK to witness some snowfall each year.

Thermostats are pushed to their limit at this time of year, and many families find their energy bills rocketing as their central heating system works overtime.

Energy consumption is highest during the winter months, and many households find it near impossible to get their room temperatures to a comfortable setting.

Is it Possible to Reach Ideal Room Temperatures Without Spending Too Much Money?

Money wouldn’t be an issue in an ideal world, but many households can’t afford to heat their home to a comfortable temperature. So if you’re struggling with the heat or cold, you might want to consider the following steps to improve your living conditions.

Use a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat can help you reach the right temperature for each room and provide valuable insights into how much energy you use and what it costs.

You can use the intelligent features to promote energy efficiency by remotely controlling your thermostat. Regardless of where you are and what you’re doing, a smart thermostat works for you so that you can be comfortable throughout the year.

Use Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Thermostatic radiator valves are essentially independent thermostats that automatically respond to changing temperatures. When used correctly, they’ll turn your radiators on and off to meet your desired temperature.

16th June 2022

Change Your Bedding

Something as small as changing your bedding can significantly improve your comfort during the winter and summer months. Many people find that removing their duvet cover and sleeping with just a sheet can keep your body temperature cool.

In contrast, a high tog duvet cover in winter is ideal for people that struggle to maintain a warm bedroom temperature. Cold air is inevitable during the winter months, and unless you have an endless supply of money, you’ll need to take advantage of warm bedding and clothes to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

Keep the Doors Closed

Warm air can escape through gaps in your property, so it’s always advisable to retain your home’s temperature by closing off rooms that you won’t use.

It would help if you also used draught excluders and thick curtains to retain the heat in different rooms.

Use a Hot Water Bottle

Hot water bottles are one of those inventions that we take for granted, but we’d be lost without them. If your energy use is increasing, then turning the temperature down a couple of degrees is the best option for your needs.

Taking a hot water bottle to bed keeps you warm during the night and is ideal for optimal sleep. Thermal comfort is a state of mind, and hot water bottles are handy if you feel the cold, but your partner likes to keep cool during the evening.

Electric blankets are also ideal, but nothing beats the hot water bottle if energy savings are top of your priority list.

The Dangers of Not Regulating Your Home’s Temperature

While the summer heat can cause plenty of issues, it doesn’t necessarily result in the health complications that cold weather can cause. Drinking plenty of water and investing in an air conditioner can keep your body temperature cooler in the summer, but winter temperatures require more drastic measures.

Room temperatures that drop below 12℃ can interrupt your sleep quality and might even cause health conditions.

Respiratory Conditions

Anything from the common cold to severe bronchitis can worsen in cold temperatures. Imagine living in a house and finding that the environment that should protect you is impacting your health.

Whether you suffer from ongoing health conditions or are relatively healthy, cold temperatures can impact your chest and might even lead to long-term respiratory diseases.

Babies, young children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to health issues brought on by the cold, so it’s crucial to configure different rooms to the recommended temperatures.

Mould Growth

Mould growth results from excess condensation in a property, and it can lead to a musty smell throughout your home. You’ll notice mould on your walls, ceilings and in damp corners of a room, but it’s not just unsightly.

The reality is, mould can cause long-term issues with your respiratory system and worsen the symptoms of current allergies.

Living with mould can also impact your mental health, but using a dehumidifier will reduce the amount of moisture in the air. Other tips include opening a window when you’re taking a shower or cooking and cleaning mould off your walls with a damp cloth.

What’s the Ideal Room Temperature For Young Children?

Babies are especially susceptible to temperature changes, and they hold more body heat than children and adults. Specialists recommend a baby’s room temperature should be between 16-20℃, so if you aim to keep your home at the recommended average of 18-19℃, your baby will be fine.

Young children will feel the cold more than babies, but it’s essential to find the right balance between being too cold or overheating. Leaving a blanket for your little ones means they can decide to use it without cranking the heating up if they get cold.

What About the Elderly?

Older people are more at risk of cold weather than anyone. Their ideal room temperature can fluctuate due to personal preferences, but anything below 18℃ puts older individuals at risk of developing colds and, in severe cases, pneumonia.

How to Have More Control Over Your Room Temperature

Let’s just clear one thing up; turning your thermostat to the highest setting won’t do you any favours. Yes, your home will heat up quickly, but you’ll find a high room temperature can be just as uncomfortable as cold rooms.

Turning your thermostat up means your boiler will work harder, increasing carbon emissions. So, how can you reach and maintain your ideal house temperature?

Practical Solutions

Smart thermostats can make a big difference to your temperature control efforts, and they’re designed to help you save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.

Insulating your property and using draught excluders can help you to maintain the correct temperature, but it’s common for your energy usage to increase during the winter season.

Ultimately, you should think about your families health and try to find a happy medium. Saving money on your central heating bills by turning your thermostat off might seem like a good idea, but it can cause health conditions and impact your mental health.

Useful Additions

Whether you’re dealing with the warm or cold seasons, you can use cooling and heating appliances to help you maintain average temperatures. Air conditioning units and opening your windows during the summer can help, and hot water bottles, high tog duvet covers and restricting heat loss can keep your home warm during the cold months.

Get Advice From Hometree

Hometree specialises in providing advice and support to households that want to maximise their energy-saving potential without compromising a comfortable living environment.

Our boiler and central heating packages are designed to increase energy efficiency and keep your home safe, warm and happy throughout the year.