Does House Temperature Affect Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Conclusions: High indoor temperatures affect aspects of human health, with the strongest evidence for respiratory health, diabetes management and core schizophrenia and dementia symptoms . Exacerbation of symptoms in warm indoor environments has clinical relevance to at-risk groups and those caring for them.

Can the temperature in your house make you sick?

As soon as there’s a chill in the air, your next move may be to switch on your heating system. But what happens next you may not chalk up to your heating system: coughing, headaches, allergies, and general discomfort. Here’s what you may not know: your indoor heater may be making you sick .

Is it unhealthy to keep your house cold?

Cold homes contribute to excess winter mortality and morbidity . Most of the health burden can be attributed to both respiratory and cardiovascular disease, especially for older people. In children, the excess winter health burden is mostly due to respiratory disease.

Is a colder house healthier?

Cold homes are bad for health . If you’re struggling to pay your heating bills and your home is cold and damp, your health may suffer. Problems and diseases linked to the cold range from blood pressure increases and common colds, to heart attacks and pneumonia.

What temperature is best for sleeping?

The best bedroom temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius) . This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.

What temperature should a house be overnight?

If you ask them what temperature your home should be, the answer is as follows: The ideal temperature for a home ranges between 20 and 21oC during the day, and between 15 and 17oC at night.

What temperature is too cold inside a house?

Excessive cold ( anything below 62 °F or 16 °C ) in your home can actually raise your blood pressure as your blood “thickens” in the chilly temperatures. A cold house is more likely to be damp, leading to mold and mildew growth, and the mold can also get in your air vents.

Is 60 degrees in a house cold?

For short periods of time away, like going to work, we’d recommend a temperature of around 55 – 60 degrees (F) . While away on long periods of time, such as vacation, we don’t recommend setting the temperature any lower than 50 degrees (F).

Is 68 degrees too cold for a house?

When you’re home: Around 68 degrees

According to the Department of Energy, 68 degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot when you’re home during the winter . You can also drop it down a few degrees when you’re sleeping to save more energy, as you’ll be under the blankets for extra warmth.

Can sleeping in a cold room make you sick?

While it’s advice you’ve heard for years, Fecher says it’s true, but not in the sense of catching a cold virus or the flu. “ You can’t get sick from being cold in general, whether you are outside or inside ,” Fecher says.

Is it healthy to keep house at 60 degrees?

Even if you keep your temperature between 60°F and 65°F, your home or apartment may not be warm enough to keep you safe . This is a special problem if you live alone because there is no one else to feel the chilliness of the house or notice if you are having symptoms of hypothermia.

What temperature is healthiest for humans?

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests a minimum of 18oC (64.4) as the ideal home temperature for healthy and appropriately-dressed individuals, meaning no vest tops or shorts on indoors during winter.

Is cold air good for your lungs?

Cold and Dry

Cold weather, and particularly cold air, can also play havoc with your lungs and health . Cold air is often dry air, and for many, especially those with chronic lung disease, that can spell trouble. Dry air can irritate the airways of people with lung diseases.

Should you sleep with socks on?

Wearing socks in bed is the safest way to keep your feet warm overnight . Other methods such as rice socks, a hot water bottle, or a heating blanket may cause you to overheat or get burned. Sleep isn’t the only benefit to wearing socks at night.

Is it better to sleep in cold or warm room?

Keeping your sleeping quarters at a temperature near 65°F (18.3°C), give or take a few degrees, is ideal. Your body’s temperature decreases during sleep, and a cool, but not cold, room will help you settle into and maintain sleep throughout the night .

Is it healthy to sleep in a hot room?

Some studies suggest that the discomfort of sleeping in a hot room can cause more frequent awakenings throughout the night and can disrupt restorative rapid eye movement (REM) sleep . But the good news, experts say, is there are things you can do that can help—even if you don’t have air conditioning.

What is best temperature for house?

The average room temperature is typically around 20°C, or 68 degrees Fahrenheit . This is a good ambient temperature to aim for, but it is important to bear in mind that different rooms will need to be heated to specific temperatures.

Is 17 degrees cold for a house?

A temp of 17c is OK for bedrooms , but downstairs (living room) needs to be at least 18-19c and if you have young children or elderly then 21c. Message withdrawn at poster’s request.

What temperature should your house be during the day?

Time You Spend at Home

When you’re home all day long, keeping the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit is a great idea. If you’re going to work from 9:00 to 5:00 at the office, ENERGY STAR recommends setting the temperature 5–8 degrees higher (or 83–86 degrees Fahrenheit). That way you save money on electricity.

What’s the lowest temp you should keep your house?

How Low is Too Low to Set My Thermostat? If you’re going to be leaving your home or traveling for the winter, it’s best to keep your thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees . If you don’t, you could risk having your pipes freeze over.

Why does my house feel cold at 68 degrees?

It has to do with the relative humidity. A higher indoor relative humidity makes the 68 degree temperature feel more comfortable; a low relative humidity makes it feel chilly. An outdoor temperature of 60 degrees is often accompanied by a dew point reading of 50 degrees, sometimes higher.

Is 65 too cold for house in winter?

The lowest acceptable temperature for a house is 65°F (18°C) . This is if there are people in the house. The home’s occupants should also be okay with that temperature. 68°F (20°C) is good enough for most people.

Does being cold weaken your immune system?

Some of this may have to do with a few infectious organisms, like flu viruses, thriving in colder temperatures, but there’s also evidence that exposure to cold temperatures suppresses the immune system , so the opportunities for infection increase.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.