Why does my house feel cold at 71 degrees?

Author: Kraig Herman  |  Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2026

When the thermostat reads warm but the air feels cold, a number of issues could be at play. Your house could be cold due to an old air filter, a faulty furnace, improper insulation, or leaky ductwork. The simple fixes, like replacing an air filter, are relatively easy to complete.

Why is my house still cold at 70 degrees?

Rooms Are Cold Even With Heating On

It could be due to blocked vents, a failing HVAC fan, or issues with the furnace itself. Ensure that furniture or drapes are not blocking your vents. Also, check if your furnace's filter is clean, as a dirty filter can restrict airflow.

Is 71 degrees cold in a house?

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.

Why does 72 degrees feel cold in my house?

It is because of the temperature gradient. Basically, your thermostat is probably on an inside wall. At its central location, it feels the house to be 72, whether the heat is on or the ac is. But as you get closer to the outside walls, the temperature is going to get closer to the outside temperature.

Why does 70 inside feel colder than 70 outside?

Drier air indoors speeds up evaporation over your skin making it feel colder relative to same temperature air but with greater humidity.

Why does my house feel colder at 65 degrees in winter vs. summer?

Why does 65 inside feel colder than 65 outside?

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.

Why does my house feel cold despite the thermostat?

One of the most common causes of a cold home despite a correctly set thermostat is poor insulation. Insulation plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home, as it helps to keep warm air inside during the winter and cool air inside during the summer.

Why does my house feel colder than normal?

Single-pane windows and poorly sealed doors can allow heat to escape, making your home feel colder than it should. Upgrading to double-pane windows and ensuring that doors are properly sealed can make a significant difference in heat retention.

Is it bad to run AC at 72?

Setting your air conditioning to 72°F is generally considered a comfortable indoor temperature for many people. It strikes a good balance between comfort and energy efficiency, making it a popular choice for residential settings.

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.

Can you get hypothermia in 70 degree in house?

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.

What temperature is too cold inside a house?

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.

Why is my house colder than the thermostat setting?

Your house and attic insulation can wear down over time. Your house also may have hidden attics that aren't properly insulated or uninsulated garage walls that are attached to your home, and this can cause problems with heat escape, unwanted airflow, and drafts. Your ductwork has problems.

Why is my house cold even in summer?

Inadequate insulation

The insulation in your home acts like a cosy blanket, keeping the warm air in and the cold air out. If your house isn't properly insulated, that lovely warm air your heating system is working so hard to make could be slipping right out – especially in key areas like the attic and walls.

How to fix a cold house?

  1. Move Furniture Blocking Your Vents. The first and simplest way to improve the cold temperature spots in your house is to check your vents. ...
  2. Check and Replace Your Air Filter. ...
  3. Improve Your Home's Insulation. ...
  4. Check Your HVAC System and Thermostat. ...
  5. Check Your Air Vents or Ducts for Leaks.

Why is the temperature not dropping in my house?

Some of the most common thermostat issues include:

The thermostat is broken, not properly level, or dusty. The thermostat needs to be recalibrated. There is loose wiring causing a thermostat issue.

Is 71 too low for AC?

If you want to feel good, as in comfortable, many people will want to lower their thermostat to the low 70s in summer. But if you're talking about saving money on energy and limiting your environmental impact, 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a very bad temperature for your AC to reach.

What is the best AC temperature for sleeping?

The best AC temperature for sleeping

The goldilocks zone: Aim for a temperature between 18°C (64°F) and 22°C (72°F) for optimal sleep comfort. Individual needs: Consider personal preferences and adjust the temperature accordingly. Some people may prefer slightly cooler or warmer settings.

Why shouldn't you set your thermostat to 72?

Generally speaking, your home's thermostat shouldn't dip below 72 degrees in the summer. It's not meant to run this way. It's going to put a lot of pressure on your air conditioner and raises the risk of you freezing over your air conditioner's evaporator coil.

Why does 70 degrees feel cold inside?

Why does 70 inside feel different in the winter compared to summer? There are multiple factors but the main reason is the dry air. Dry air causes evaporation of the moisture from our skin which in the process makes us feel cooler. Meanwhile humid air hinders evaporation doing the opposite.

How to warm a cold house?

How to keep your house warm in winter
  1. Draught-proof your home. ...
  2. Insulate your pipes. ...
  3. Bleed your radiators and install reflector panels. ...
  4. Upgrade your heating controls. ...
  5. Top up your hot water cylinder insulation. ...
  6. Top up your loft insulation. ...
  7. Upgrade your boiler. ...
  8. Insulate your walls.

Why does my house feel cold at 73?

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.

Why does it feel colder in my house?

If your house feels colder than the thermostat setting or feels drafty and cold, it could be a problem with the insulation, air leaks, or the HVAC system.

Why is my AC temperature not going down?

There are a number of reasons why your air conditioner might be running but not cooling. It could be an issue with the thermostat, the compressor, or the evaporator coils. Or, it could simply be clogged with dust and debris, which is preventing it from working properly.

How do you know if thermostat is bad in house?

The Thermostat Is Unresponsive

If your thermostat display is dark or blank, even with fresh batteries and no issues with your circuit breaker, your thermostat may be broken. Another indicator is if nothing is changing on the screen when you press buttons.

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