Winter sets in and with it comes the eternal question of how to adjust the heating. This year more than ever, with energy prices soaring, it is becoming crucial to find the right balance between a comfortable temperature and controlled consumption. Because if no one wants to chatter their teeth under their duvet, no one wants to see their energy bill skyrocket either.
The minimum temperature for preservation according to the WHO
The experts of theWorld Health Organization are formal: cold in a home represents a real danger to health. Too low temperatures cause inflammation of the lungs and significantly increase the risk of respiratory infections. The circulatory system also suffers, the low temperature causing vasoconstriction which puts a strain on the body.
For healthy adults living in countries with temperate climates, the WHO sets the minimum threshold at 18°C. Below, the health risks become real. This recommendation even goes up to 22-24°C for vulnerable people such as the elderly, babies or chronically ill people during the day, and 18-20°C at night.
The ideal compromise between comfort and energy savings
But beyond these vital minimums, what is the ideal temperature to feel good at home without blowing up your bill? The Institute for Energy Savings and Energy Diversification provides a precise response, based on standardized ergonomic criteria. For optimal comfort coupled with reasonable consumption, the thermostat should display between 21 and 23°C during the day, and drop to 15-17°C at night.
Be careful, however, not to give in to the temptation to push the heating beyond 23°C. Not only will the air become drier and less comfortable, but your wallet will take a serious hit. Each additional degree above the optimal temperature results in a 5-10% increase in energy consumption. A difference that can quickly weigh heavily on the monthly bill.
A setting adapted to each room to optimize its consumption
The ideal temperature varies significantly depending on the rooms and their use. The bathroom requires a special approach: rather than overheating the whole house, it is better opt for a towel dryer which will have a double use here. A solution that allows you to quickly gain a few degrees only when necessary, for example before getting out of the shower.
The kitchen also deserves specific attention. Between the heat given off by cooking appliances and the presence of refrigeration equipment which works better cool, a lower temperature of around 18°C proves perfectly suitable. Not to mention that we generally spend less time there than in other living rooms.
The living room, the central room where we spend the most time in sedentary activity, can be maintained at a slightly higher temperature than average. Bedrooms, for their part, tolerate cooler temperatures well, particularly at night when a cooler atmosphere promotes quality sleep.
The ideal remains to install independently adjustable heating systems in each room. If you have a single thermostat for the entire home, be sure to place it in a central, moderately frequented area to obtain a representative measurement of the average temperature of your home.
- Never drop below 18°C to preserve your health
- The ideal temperature is between 21 and 23°C during the day and 15-17°C at night
- Adapt the heating room by room according to their use: cooler in the kitchen and bedrooms, warmer in the living room and temporarily in the bathroom
