You should never set your thermostat lower than 𝟓𝟓∘ 𝐅 ( 𝟏𝟑∘ 𝐂). Going below this threshold introduces a high risk of your home's water pipes freezing and bursting. For safety, comfort, and home maintenance, different temperature guidelines apply based on your specific situation:
Excessive cold (anything below 62 °F or 16 °C) in your home can actually raise your blood pressure as your blood “thickens” in the chilly temperatures. A cold house is more likely to be damp, leading to mold and mildew growth, and the mold can also get in your air vents.
When you're away from home, the suggested thermostat temperature in winter is between 17 and 19 °C or 62 and 66 °F. However, you should make sure not to turn down your thermostat too low. If your thermostat goes any lower than 17 °C or 62 °F, it could result in your water pipes freezing, leading to costly repairs.
Is 20 degrees cold for a house? No, 20°C (68°F) is considered a comfortable temperature for most people during winter, especially when dressed appropriately.
Setting the right temperature in our home is essential to keep warm in winter, but also to improve your productivity and maintain your health. While personal preferences on room temperature may vary, the general guidelines set the ideal indoor temperature between 18 and 22 degrees.
“However, it's vital that we keep them warmed to around 18C (degrees centigrade), if possible. If our homes drop to 16°C or lower we are putting ourselves at risk of major health problems, particularly for those people with pre-existing health conditions or over the age of 65.
Is 23 degrees too hot for a house? 23°C (73°F) is slightly above the standard comfort range for general living but is not uncomfortably hot for most people. In fact, this is generally the most recommended room temperature during the summer months.
Several factors can make your home feel cold: Insufficient insulation in walls, loft, and floors. Air leaks around windows and doors. An inefficient home heating system.
When temperatures drop between 21-32 degrees, limit outdoor activities to 15-20 minutes for small children. If it drops to below 20 degree, bring the kids indoors. It is safe to work outside until temperatures drop below 20 degrees. Skin freezes in 10 minutes if the temperature is -30 degrees.
Signs of an Unhealthy Temperature
The main sign that your thermostat needs adjusting is that you and your family are too cold. Even though the furnace is running, you find yourself shivering or needing extra layers. If you're too cold in your own home, turn up the heat until you're comfortable.
Having a home that's warm in winter reduces your risk of health problems. NHS advice is to 'heat your home to a temperature that's comfortable for you', which should be 'at least 18°C in the rooms you regularly use, such as your living room and bedroom. ' 14 degrees is not a healthy room temperature.
That's because low temperatures cause blood vessels to temporarily narrow. More pressure is needed to force blood through narrowed veins and arteries. This causes blood pressure to rise.
Low air temperature in the room – If the air in your living space stays below 20–21°C (68–70°F), your body will start to feel the difference. That slight drop is enough to cause long-term discomfort, especially during colder months. The human body maintains an internal temperature of about 36.6°C (98°F).
Open the cabinets under the sinks in your kitchen and bathrooms to allow heated air to circulate around the water pipes. Set your thermostat at a minimum of 55 degrees, especially when you are gone for the day or away for a long time. 68 degrees is ideal for when you are home.
Here's a simple guide for September and October: Daytime: Set your thermostat between 68°F and 70°F for a cozy, energy-efficient home during the day. Nighttime: Lower the temperature to 60°F or 65°F while you sleep to save on heating costs without sacrificing comfort.
Experts anticipate 2026 to be exceptionally warm, though records remain uncertain. As of May 6, 2026, Carbon Brief, which synthesizes multiple datasets and expert analyses, indicates that 2026 is likely to be the second-warmest year on record, with a 19% probability of surpassing 2024's record for the warmest year.
“It's safe to be outside if the temperature is 32°F or above,” says David A. Greuner, MD, FACS, co-founder and director of NYC Surgical. “If the temperature falls between 13°F and 31°F, you should take breaks from the cold approximately every 20 to 30 minutes.
Extreme heat is also the No. 1 killer of people globally when it comes to extreme weather events.
Being cold isn't just uncomfortable - it can be bad for your health. Living in a cold house can increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke and breathing problems.
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.
For most homes, the answer is straightforward: no, it's not. The Energy Saving Trust, one of the UK's leading authorities on household energy use, confirms that leaving your heating running on low all day usually ends up costing you more.
Ideally you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18 °C. This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease. Having room temperatures slightly over 18 °C could be good for your health.
Sleeping in cooler temperatures between 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit supports melatonin production, faster sleep onset, deeper sleep stages, improved metabolism, and better overall recovery. The ideal sleep temperature for adults is 60 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Owing to variations in humidity and (likely) clothing, recommendations for summer and winter may vary; a suggested typical range for summer is 23–25.5 °C (73–78 °F), with that for winter being 20–23.5 °C (68–74 °F).