The lower the temperature is inside of the home, the slower the rate of thermal energy loss. To achieve optimal comfort, it is recommended for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 to 72 degrees while there are people inside of the home.
Recommended Temperature When You Are Home
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. If there are infants or elderly individuals, they recommend keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at a minimum.
For most adults, the best temperature for sleep is anywhere between 60–69 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Shelby Harris, PsyD, a licensed psychologist who is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine and the director of sleep health at Sleepopolis.
The lowest outside temperature at which to run your AC is typically around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. At temperatures below this range, your air conditioner might not operate efficiently, causing increased energy consumption and potential strain on the system.
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.
Quick answer: The ideal house temperature is room temperature, which ranges from 68 to 78 degrees F, though this may vary from season to season.
If you're cold even though your thermostat indicates you shouldn't be, your furnace likely isn't the problem. In most cases, it's working just fine. It's your home that needs attention. Lack of insulation, severe air leakage, and/or unbalanced ductwork are frequently to blame.
68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.
IS 68 TOO COLD FOR AC? Setting your AC to 68°F might feel too cold for some, especially in residential settings, as it is lower than the typical comfort range. However, preferences vary, and this temperature might be suitable for those who prefer cooler environments.
The ideal healthy home temperature should be no higher than 20 degrees Celsius or 68 degrees Fahrenheit. When you're at home during the day, you'll be quite comfortable at this temperature.
What Temperature Is 'Shorts Weather'? How warm does it have to be before you start wearing SHORTS? A new survey on YouGov.com asked people to name the lowest temperature that they believe is warm enough to wear SHORTS outside. The most common answer was between 61 and 70, which got 25% of the vote.
Tips for Keeping Cool During Sleep
A cool or lukewarm bath or shower can help with that, suggests Raymann. For most people, the temperature in the bedroom at night should not exceed 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and it should be even lower for people that sleep best in a cool bedroom.
The best room 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 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 20 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
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.
68 degrees isn't a recommended temperature to keep as a setting for your air conditioner. The refrigerant in the AC doesn't absorb heat as effectively, which causes the evaporator coil to freeze and renders your unit inoperable until the coil defrosts.
The recommended rule of thumb for summertime is to set the temperature to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're home and higher when you're away. In general, set it to 82 degrees Fahrenheit when you're asleep and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you're away.
Using Your AC When It's Too Cold Outside
Lastly, if the temperature outside is below 60 degrees, and your AC's temperature is set below 68 degrees, this can cause the evaporator coils to freeze as there is not enough warm air in the house for the AC to sufficiently cool.
Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away.
During a heatwave, we recommend that you don't lower the AC's setting below 68°F. This is already quite chilly for most people, and many would consider it too cold. An air conditioner set this low risk of its coil freezing—and that's bad news because it indicates that the air conditioner is overworked.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
According to the Department of Energy, the best temperature to set an AC unit is 78°F when home during the day. However, we know that adjusting the thermostat can feel like a game of hot and cold, especially when trying to find that sweet spot during summer heat waves.
Make sure your home is warm enough. Set your thermostat to at least 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (F). Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees F can lead to hypothermia in older adults. To stay warm at home, wear long underwear under your clothes, along with socks and slippers.
Remember that people feel comfortable in temperatures that are set between 63 to 72 degrees. These temperatures are not too hot or too cold. That is the ideal indoor temperature for homes during the wintertime.
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.