What Temperature Should You Keep Your Home At?
There is no single right answer for how warm your home should be. Comfort varies from person to person, and health needs vary too. Public health guidance gives a useful starting point, and a few small changes can make a home feel warmer without turning up the dial.
Guidelines for comfort and health
UK public health guidance has long suggested that living rooms should be at least around 18°C, and warmer for people who are older, very young, or who have long-term health conditions, who may be more sensitive to the cold. Bedrooms are commonly kept cooler, and many people sleep better in a cooler room. If you have a health condition, ask your GP or local health service for advice that suits you.
Most people find temperatures of about 18 to 21°C comfortable in living areas, but that is a guide, not a rule.
Why a degree or two matters
The higher the temperature inside compared with outside, the faster heat escapes. Reducing the thermostat setting by a small amount reduces the heat lost and the energy used. Even a degree can make a noticeable difference over a winter, though the saving depends on your home and heating system.
Staying comfortable without turning it up
- Dress for the weather indoors. A jumper, thick socks or a blanket help a lot.
- Close doors to keep heat in rooms you use, and shut the doors of rooms you do not.
- Use curtains. Close them at dusk to reduce heat loss through windows, and open them on sunny days.
- Avoid blocking radiators with furniture or long curtains, which hampers heat reaching the room.
- Fix draughts. Cold air leaking in makes rooms feel colder than the thermometer suggests. See our draught-proofing guide.
Use controls wisely
Set heating schedules to match when you are in, and use thermostatic radiator valves to set cooler temperatures in rooms you rarely use. Do not close off rooms completely, especially in damp homes, because cold rooms can encourage condensation and mould. Our guide to condensation, damp and mould explains why.
Is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day?
It depends on your home. In a poorly insulated house, heat is lost quickly, so keeping a low background temperature may not save much. In a well-insulated house, or one with a heat pump, steadier heating can work well. The most reliable approach is to match heating times to your routine and to improve insulation.
Heating the person, not the house
If you spend most of the day in one room, heat that room properly, use a warm blanket or heated throw, and keep other rooms cooler. Heated throws and blankets use very little electricity compared with heating a whole room.
Above all, do not put your health at risk to save money. If you cannot afford to keep warm, look at what help is available.