The perfect temperature for your home might be lower than you think

The perfect temperature at home is normally considered about 21 degrees but could this be a bit too high? What is the right temperature for a cosy home?

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While just forty years ago the average temperature in the UK's homes during the winter was 12°C it is now risen to 18°C, with thermostats set at about 20°C or even higher to meet the "perfect temperature" requirements of this generation.

It's not that we suddenly started shivering more during the winter. The rise of insulation, the wider access to gas/electricity, and the variety of tariffs on the market have made heating the home less of a luxury. While 40-50 years ago we might have layered the jumpers, or piled the blankets to reach the perfect temperatures for our bodies, nowadays wearing tank tops and t-shirts when indoors in the winter is considered completely normal.

Of course, if you're constantly feeling cold, and your heating just doesn't seem to be keeping the house warm, there might be an underlying issue. Our expert heating engineers can help.

But what is the perfect temperature for your home?

Higher than 24°C and you're risking cardiovascular problems.
18-21°C is generally ideal, with 21°C being the option for vulnerable elderly citizens and children.
12-16°C puts you at respiratory risk, though some people certainly prefer a bit of a colder room, especially when sleeping.
But the room temperature shouldn't really go below 12°C or you're facing a cardiovascular risk again.
If the room goes as cold as 9° there is a serious risk of hypothermia - these are not considered acceptable living conditions.

With money becoming increasingly tight over the winter months, it is not a surprise people are looking for ways to reduce their heating consumption.

How to reach the perfect temperature for your home, and keep the bills reasonable?

Heat only the spaces you use, and plan ahead.

If you want to watch a movie in the living room, put the heating on half an hour before. Bedtime? Warm up the bedroom so you can fall asleep easily but don't keep the heating on all day, and only have it on low during the night. If you're out for the day, don't just leave the heating on high.

Use the technology available

Thermostatic Radiator Valves will allow you to control the heating in individual rooms, and have it on and off when needed. Smart thermostats are certainly an investment, but they'll pay off by allowing you to warm up the house remotely, and come home to a pleasantly warm room.

Set up the wall thermostat correctly.

The wall thermostat records the temperature of the air around it and prompts the boiler to fire up when needed. Leave it next to the door, and you might be using a lot more energy than required. If it's too close to a radiator, it might stop the heat generation once the cold air reaches it, but before the room has been warmed up.

Bleed the radiators.

If you find out that turning down the temperature in your home with just 1° makes it go too cold too fast you might have a problem with the radiators - if they're full of air they won't be letting out heat efficiently. Learn how to bleed your radiators with Rightio.