As a result, experts suggest that if you must use a room heater, use it while you are awake. Run the electric heater periodically in the evening, to ensure that your bedroom temperature is comfortably warm (but not too warm) before you go to sleep.
“While many of us like to heat our bedrooms so we can get to sleep comfortably, we want to urge people not to keep the heating on throughout the entire night. “The optimum temperature to sleep in is from 17 to 19ºC. Any higher can result in dry skin, coughing, sneezing and even mould taking over.”
It's More Advisable to Turn the Heat Down, Not Off
If you really want to save money and avoid the problems associated with turning off the heat at night, what you should do instead is just turn it down.
It is not safe to run a space heater overnight. If you use an electric or propane space heater during the day, make sure to protect yourself and your home by following all safety practices. Use space heaters that automatically turn off if they tip over.
A better idea: Turn the heat down, not off
Not only is it okay to leave the heater on all night, it can save you money. Here's the secret: Set the temperature of your home at least eight degrees lower for the eight hours or so that you sleep at night.
Never leave a space heater running for long periods of time, and especially not overnight; it is best to use them intermittently; depending on your situation, a suggested practice would be to turn it off/unplug it for 10 minutes every hour if you depend on its use for longer periods.
If you have an electric heater or an old, non-condensing boiler, we recommend not leaving them on forever. That's because electricity heaters can be expensive to run, so turning them on and off will help. As for the non-condensing boiler, they have a fixed efficiency, so turning them on or off won't help.
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.
Temperatures between 60 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit at night are best for a good night's sleep.
Sleep experts believe the best temperature for great sleep is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. But in addition to making you uncomfortable and interfering with healthy sleep patterns, being too hot at any time of day or night can cause health risks like dehydration and heat stroke.
Breathing in dry air can lead to a dry throat, which may become irritated and sore. 1 Running the heater or air conditioning overnight can make the air you breathe drier and may be why your throat is only sore at night. Mouth breathing while sleeping, especially in a dry environment, can make your throat dry and sore.
You may be wondering, however, if you'd be better off turning your heat off completely. In most cases, you'd be better off turning your heat down low than turning it off entirely. According to Wired, leaving your heat running constantly at a low temperature is best.
You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates.
Overheating and Fire Safety
A common concern is the blanket overheating or worse, catching fire. While older electric blankets (those made before the 2000s) may carry some risks, today's electric blankets are designed with advanced safety features, such as overheat protection and temperature control.
But when is the right time to flip the switch? Start by shutting off your heating system when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some research suggests that sleeping naked can promote better sleep, leading to various mental and physical health benefits. By encouraging core body temperature regulation, naked sleeping may help support reproductive function, skin health, cortisol levels, metabolic control, and more.
When lying in bed trying to fall asleep, your body temperature decreases to initiate sleep. Having a temperature between 60 and 67 can help to facilitate this. The best temperature to sleep is cooler rather than warmer. Temperatures above 75 degrees and below 54 degrees can disrupt a person's sleep.
Not everyone needs to sleep with a pillow. Sleeping without a pillow can reduce neck strain for people who sleep on their stomach. If you're a back or side sleeper, sleeping without a pillow can affect your sleep quality. Other benefits of sleeping without a pillow include better skin and fewer allergies.
Should I leave my heating on all night? Leaving your heating on all night may keep you warm, but it will also cause an increase in your energy bills. The best way to save money and energy is by only using your heating when you need it.
If you are using your home's furnace, no matter the type, keeping it running throughout the day and night is fully safe to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
To save energy, it will always be better to turn off your heating in your absence. However, depending on the dwelling, keeping a minimum temperature is advisable.
The best way to prevent a fire is to never leave a space heater running in a room unattended—that way, if anything does go wrong, you can take action quickly. If you have kids or pets that could knock a heater over or drape fabric on it, keep a very close eye on its operation.
Oil filled radiator space heaters are some of the safest on the market. 1500W is all the juice an outlet will provide (Roughly 5,000 btus).
It isn't bad to run your heating system on a 24/7 basis if outdoor weather conditions demand indoor warmth. For many households, maintaining a constant indoor temperature is the only way to survive the winter. Just be aware that this is likely to cause additional wear and tear on your heating system.