At what temperature is a house too cold?

Author: Ciara Fadel  |  Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2025

But don't take it from us, take it from the World Health Organization: They recommend a temperature of at least 64°… and raising that to at least 70° if there are babies, elderly people, or otherwise immunocompromised people in the home.

How cold is too cold for inside a house?

Experts typically recommend maintaining an indoor temperature of at least 60°F to ensure both comfort and safety. Temperatures below this threshold can create risks for your health and home.

What temperature is unsafe in a house?

It's advisable to keep your home below 80 degrees throughout the summer. A house that's too warm can be dangerous to people, pets, and the soft surfaces in your home. Set the winter temperature to 68 degrees when you're awake and 62 degrees when you're sleeping.

What house temperature is too cold for pipes?

Your pipes are at risk of freezing any time temperatures drop below 32°F. However, it's much more common for pipes to freeze when temperatures dip below 20°F. The longer the weather remains below freezing, the more likely it is your pipes can freeze if not properly protected and winterized.

Will my pipes freeze if my heat is on 65?

Don't turn your thermostat down below 65 degrees during extreme cold. Further drops in temperature could be enough to cause a problem, especially inside walls where pipes are located. Your heating bill may go up a little, but that's better than an expensive repair job if a pipe freezes and bursts.

TOO COLD at home #respiratoryhealth

How long can a house go without heat before pipes freeze?

The rule of the thumb is that it takes roughly 6-hours for water in your pipe to freeze after left in an unheated area. Meaning if you lose power at your home and the weather is reaching below freezing point, you have approximately 6-hours until the pipes will begin to freeze.

How cold will an unheated house get?

How cold can a house get without heat overnight? The time of day your heater goes out impacts how long the house stays warm. Indoor temperatures go down faster at night, so if your furnace stops overnight, you can expect a quicker decline. This can be as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit before morning.

What indoor temperature is too cold for humans?

The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems. Watch out for signs of hypothermia.

What is an unsafe temperature to sleep in?

Sleeping too hot

“Heat is a huge disruptor for REM sleep,” Dr. Drerup says. With the heat of the room, your body temperature will also rise, thus undoing the sleep initiation process entirely. If your bedroom temperature is above 70° F, it's too hot.

What is an unhealthy room temperature?

The World Health Organization recommends a thermostat setting no lower than 68 degrees while you're home. If you have children or seniors in your house, that number increases to at least 70 degrees. If your house is too cold, it can cause problems with blood pressure and circulation, as well as affect your heart rate.

Why does my house feel cold at 20 degrees?

There may be drafts and pockets of colder air near the floor; The walls are colder and don't emit the usual amount of infrared radiation, so you lose heat due to your body emitting more IR than it receives; You may spend more time indoors and hence have less physical activity, so your body generates less heat.

What temperature to keep a house to prevent mold?

Keeping the air conditioner set at 78 degrees or lower prevents mold buildup in the summer. Even when leaving for a few days or vacation, don't set it above 80. A higher setting won't provide enough dehumidification from the cooling process to prevent spores from growing.

Can a cold house make you sick?

As outlined in this chapter, cold indoor temperatures have been associated with increased blood pressure, asthma symptoms and poor mental health. Cold homes contribute to excess winter mortality and morbidity.

Is it safe to sleep at 50 degrees?

“Even if you don't feel the cold disturbing your sleep, your cardiovascular system might still be affected,” cautions Dr. Maslinski. Maintain indoor temperatures above 50°F during winter and stay comfortable year-round with the right bedding.

How warm should you keep your house in extreme cold?

When the temperature actually drops, here are a few more steps to take. Keep your house heated to a minimum of 65 degrees. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 65 degrees might not keep the inside walls from freezing.

How cold is unsafe inside a house?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 64 degrees (F) in the Winter months while people are in the home.

What is the lowest safe indoor temperature?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends indoor temperatures of at least 64°F (you can drop that down to 62°F at night if you're really looking to save on your heating bill).

How do I know if my house is too cold?

How cold is too cold? Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases. 18° - This is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.

Will pipes freeze if heat is off?

When pipes are not insulated very well or they aren't being used, and have no heating source, the water in the pipes will begin to freeze. If you leave pipes to freeze, it is more than likely that after An extended period of time they will begin to crack and inevitably burst.

Is 64 too cold for a house?

But don't take it from us, take it from the World Health Organization: They recommend a temperature of at least 64°… and raising that to at least 70° if there are babies, elderly people, or otherwise immunocompromised people in the home.

Will pipes freeze if the house is 50 degrees?

STEPS TO PREVENTING PIPES FROM FREEZING

If you will be gone for an extended length of time, even setting your home's heat temperatures to 50-degrees will provide enough heat for internal pipes to keep them from freezing in your absence.

At what temperature should you drip faucets?

So, exactly how cold does it need to be before you do this? Southern Living says professionals list the threshold temperature for pipes to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning this or anything below can create a potential for water to turn to ice in your pipes.

Can pipes freeze in one night?

Yes, pipes can freeze overnight if temperatures plummet drastically. Uninsulated pipes in unheated areas like attics or exterior walls are most vulnerable.

Previous article
When painting do you cut in once or twice?
Next article
What is the best brush for painting cabinets?