What is a healthy heat setting?

Author: Ebba Jacobson DVM  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

It's generally recommended to set the thermostat to a temperature that you find comfortable; however, the World Health Organization recommends keeping room temperatures below 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit at night for health and comfort.

Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter?

While there are occupants in the house, it is advised for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 and 72 degrees to promote maximum comfort. A pleasant temperature for everyone in the house, regardless of the apparel they are wearing, is between 68 and 72 degrees, which is neither too warm nor too cool.

Is 74 too hot for a house in winter?

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.

What is a good setting to have your heat on?

The thermostat should be set to a comfortable temperature for the occupants of the space. The ideal temperature can vary depending on personal preference, but generally a range of 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 degrees Celsius) is considered comfortable for most people.

Is 72 too high for a heater?

Location and severe climates can affect this range, but between 68 and 72 degrees is the general recommendation. 68 degrees is best because lower temperatures reduce the amount of energy needed to keep the house warm.

What is the ideal temperature for your home? The Answer Might Surprise You!

Is 75 too high for heat in winter?

Nationwide average: 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit

The ideal temperature in the United States during winter ranges between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This is an average temperature to set your thermostat settings based on varying climates nationwide.

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning at night?

WHAT SHOULD I SET MY AC TO AT NIGHT? According to the Cleveland Clinic, the recommended thermostat setting for nighttime is between 60°F and 67°F. 3 Setting your AC within this range can help maintain a comfortable sleeping environment.

What should my heat be set on at night?

When it comes to the best temperature for your furnace in the winter at night, it is time to turn that thermostat down. As a general rule, the recommended heater temperature at night is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. A thermostat setting of around 65 degrees is actually better for your health.

What is a good number to put the heat on?

A temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit is often considered the best temperature to set thermostat in winter to save money. But why is 68 degrees the best winter thermostat setting? In winter, heat loss through walls, windows, and doors is a significant contributor to energy wastage.

What is the ideal heating setting?

You should set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature for your needs. For most people, this is between 18°C and 21°C. If you can, turning down your thermostat from 22°C to 21°C can save £90 a year in GB and £100 in NI on energy bills.

Is 74 too hot for sleep?

“The consensus among most scientists is that anything higher than 75 or 80 is bad for sleep and potentially detrimental to health,” Baniassadi said. Heat affects sleep because the body signals the brain that it's time to fall asleep by lowering its core temperature. Sleeping in a hot room makes this difficult.

Why does my house feel cold at 72?

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.

What is an unhealthy house 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 should people stop setting their thermostat to 72?

Setting your thermostat just a single digit higher can help you save 6 percent on your cooling costs, according to the EPA.

What is the best temperature for sleep?

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.

Why does my house feel cold at 68 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.

Is heat on 72 too high?

The Short Answer Is: Homeowners can typically set their thermostat to a safe and comfortable temperature during winter, aiming for around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit when at home.

What number should I put my heating on?

Generally, you'll want to set this somewhere between 18°C and 21°C, and this will make sure the heating doesn't come on until you need it to. It also makes sure you're not overheating your home over the winter. It's still worth turning the heating off altogether over the summer though.

What is a reasonable heat setting?

Don't set your thermostat too low

"What you want to do is keep it at a reasonable temperature that's not chilly.” The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people.

What should heat be set at in summer?

Keeping in mind both energy efficiency and comfort, the best thermostat settings for summer are 76° when you are home, 80-85° when you are away and 72° at night. Then use ceiling fans in the rooms you are in to feel up to 4* cooler. Here's more on why these thermostat settings are the best.

Is 65 too cold for a house?

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 the cheapest temperature to keep your house in winter?

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.

Is 78 too hot for a house?

Whenever you're not at home or are asleep, consider increasing the temperature to between 78 and 80 degrees for even further savings. 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.

Does keeping the AC at 72 save money?

Best AC Temperature Settings While You Are Home

As you consider the most comfortable room temperature for your lifestyle and family, keep in mind that for each degree that you set your thermostat above 72 degrees, you can save up to 3% on your energy bill.

How cool should my house be if it's 110 outside?

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.

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