High room temperatures can lead to increased reports of symptoms of sick building syndrome (a feeling of ill health that occurs in the occupants of a building, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation) as well as increased mental workload to complete cognitive tasks.
However, the recommendation regarding risk of exposure to high indoor temperatures is only "conditional". Minimal-risk high temperatures range from about 21 to 30 °C (70 to 86 °F) depending on the region, with maximum acceptable temperatures between 25 and 32 °C (77 and 90 °F).
Safe range means a set variation where there's minimal risk. If the room temperature is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit or above 74 degrees Fahrenheit, their health is at risk because the temperatures will be outside the safe range.
IMO 80F is the upper limit of comfortable indoor temperatures. It might feel great coming indoors from 110F into 90F, but after you get used to it, the 90 will also feel hot. I don't experience that at 80F or below.
Most sleep specialists recommend people sleep in a “cool, dark and quiet environment,” typically ranging from about 65 to 75 degrees, said Ronald Chervin, the division chief of the sleep disorders centers and professor of sleep medicine at the University of Michigan, who was not involved in the study.
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.
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. In winter, the average room temperature is generally 62 to 68 degrees, whereas in the summer, the average temperature is 72 to 78 degrees.
Research shows sleep can be disrupted by temperatures anywhere below 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. But for most people, heat interferes with sleep more than cold does. Sleep experts believe the best temperature for great sleep is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
CALIFORNIA OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS BOARD
Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment. (a) Scope and Application. (1) This section applies to all indoor work areas where the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present.
The suggested temperature setting by Energy Star is 85 degrees when no one is home. However, if you live in a region of the country with consistently high humidity levels, consider setting the thermostat closer to 80 so your HVAC system doesn't run as frequently.
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.
Older bodies also hold more heat than younger ones when the temperature climbs. Glands don't release as much sweat. The heart doesn't circulate blood as well, so less heat is released from vessels in the skin.
An influential limit. After an influential study in 2010, climate researchers often use a wet bulb temperature of 35 degrees C — roughly equivalent to 95 degrees F at 100% humidity — as an upper limit for human survival and adaptability without cooling.
A room temperature of 18 – 22 ° C and a relative humidity of 40% – 60% is perceived by most people as pleasant and it is also ideal for the fabric of the building. Check the values in the living room and bedrooms regularly to reduce the risk of mould.
People who live with long-term health conditions are more vulnerable to the effects of heat, including cardiovascular conditions and diabetes – with the temperature in their homes making it much harder to manage their health.
Home Damage Caused by High Heat
Roof: Rising temperatures in attics and top floors of the home can bring dampness and moisture, resulting in early deterioration of roof shingles. Flooring: High heat expands floorboards and causes them to warp. Hardwood flooring is especially susceptible to heat damage.
According to the new standards, all indoor places of employment where the temperature reaches 82 degrees Fahrenheit or above must comply with regulations around access to water, cool-down areas, acclimatization, training, and more.
Make your room comfortably cool
Of course, window and portable air conditioners are just as effective and come with a lower price tag. While the exact temperature varies from person to person, Ebben suggests keeping your room in the high 60s or low 70s during the night.
Several studies have shown that increased nighttime temperature leads to insufficient sleep. Exposure to heat limits the natural drop in body temperature, promoting wakefulness and reducing the amount of time spent in deep sleep and REM sleep.
The recommended bedroom temperature range for sleep is typically between 60 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, with 65 degrees considered the sweet spot for most people, according to Raymann.
For many of us, 70 degrees is the ideal indoor temperature, but when it is close to 100 degrees outside, your AC unit will be working quite hard to meet these expectations. Consider setting your thermostat at 75 degrees to 80 degrees in your home if the outside temperature is approaching triple digits.
If you set your thermostat in the 80s, the air conditioner won't run enough to effectively dehumidify your home's air. Here in the Tennessee Valley, we have extremely humid weather in the summertime. If your thermostat is set at 80+ degrees, then the humidity inside of your home can easily get up above 70%.
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.