If you ask a group of people, “What temperature should you set the house at in the winter?” you’ll not only get a lot of different answers but probably a lot of arguing, too!
It’s of course true that if you can set it a bit lower than you’re really comfortable with, you’ll save big.
But can you really afford to keep it too low? Today, we discuss: How low is too low?
Of course, there’s the fact that if you’re leaving your home vacant for a while, you can’t turn the heat off completely, or your pipes could burst and your appliances could break. Most people keep it at 50°or so when they won’t be around. (Heck, we’re sure some people keep it at 50°even when they are around.)
Is this high enough, or are you still in danger of pipes bursting near the outside wall of your home? (Or, it would be even worse if you actually had pipes in the exterior wall…but most plumbers around here know better than to install waterlines in outside walls!)
If your home isn’t properly winterized, then you really need to make sure above all else that enough heat is getting into those exterior pipes. After all, the little bit you save from setting the temperature lower is not going to be worth it if a burst pipe starts leaking everywhere, especially if it touches your fuse box / electrical sockets.
But the dangers of setting your temperature too low in winter aren’t just about your home’s health. They’re about your own health, too.
(We know, it sounds like this article was written by one of those dreaded “cold-blooded” people…)
But don’t take it from us, take it from the World Health Organization: They recommend a temperature of at least 64°… and raising that to at least 70°if there are babies, elderly people, or otherwise immunocompromised people in the home.
First off, if it’s cold in your home and it’s moist and humid outside, that creates condensation…not only on your windows, but inside the home too. These wet conditions are perfect for mold and mildew. (By the way, that’s another reason to not set your temperature too cold when you leave your house vacant for a while, either.)
You don’t need us to tell you that mold causes all kinds of respiratory problems, but you may not have known that it can lead to chronic conditions like asthma and emphysema.
Also, to clarify another thing that you probably already knew: being cold makes you more prone to getting sick!
But rather than cold temperatures shutting down your immune system, it’s more like cold temperatures change the direction your mucus goes. We know, it sounds weird and gross…Basically, mucus is supposed to be constantly flowing through your upper respiratory tract to wash out any bacteria or viruses you may have breathed in. But this mucus gets thicker when you’re colder, meaning that it doesn’t travel as swiftly and effectively in wiping away these icky pathogens!
Last but not least, cold temperatures even raise your blood pressure and make your heart beat faster – which for most of us is okay, but if you have heart problems, can be dangerous.
Overall, there’s a reason that when you go to Mom and Dad’s to visit for the holidays, the old folks have their heat cranked up way higher than you ever would!!
Their bodies are telling them that heat = safer, and it definitely is for the very young and the very old. If you are a perfectly healthy adult who likes to keep it cool in winter, no problem…Just make sure that your home is very well-sealed and ventilated to make it almost impossible for mold to grow!
In fact, if you’d like us to perform routine maintenance on your home to make sure that your HVAC system is up to snuff for the winter, contact us onlineor give us a call at 618.217.1836. We’ll be happy to come to your home, no matter what temperature you’ve got it set to, we won’t complain!
FAQs
Be careful not to decrease your home's temperature to less than 55 degrees in winter or allow your home to warm to more than 80 degrees in summer, as it may leave your home susceptible to damage. An indoor temperature of less than 55 degrees may lead to freezing pipes, while anything more than 80 may damage drywall.
What is the coldest you should leave your house? ›
In general, it's recommended to set your thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This may seem high compared to the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it'll help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities – where your plumbing is often located – safely above freezing temperatures.
How cold is too cold for HVAC? ›
The Dangers of “Too Cold”
Additionally, lower settings can cause your evaporator coil to freeze. There isn't enough heat exchange, so ice forms on the coil, causing the system to stop working until it defrosts. Any temperature below about 68 degrees puts you in danger of freezing.
Is 72 too cold for AC? ›
This is more of a personal question, as different people feel comfortable at different temperatures. Since 72 degrees is generally agreed upon to be an ideal indoor temperature, most people would probably still feel comfortable setting their AC units slightly higher than this, perhaps at around 75.
How cold is too cold at home? ›
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.
What temperature to keep house so pipes don't freeze? ›
But while a lower temperature may reduce your heating bill, it could mean disaster if a cold temperatures hit, and your pipes freeze and burst. This doesn't mean you have to keep your house as warm as normal — any temperature 55 degrees or higher is appropriate to keep your pipes safe.
What is the lowest temp I can keep my house? ›
How cold is too cold? Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases. 18° - This is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.
What is the healthiest temperature to keep your house in the winter? ›
If someone is at home in the daytime, 72° F (22° C) is a good start, but aim for 68° F (20° C). If everyone is away from home in the daytime or you're asleep at night, we feel 66° F (19° C) to 62° F (17° C) is best.
How cold will a house get without heat? ›
How cold can a house get without heat overnight? The time of day your heater goes out impacts how long the house stays warm. Indoor temperatures go down faster at night, so if your furnace stops overnight, you can expect a quicker decline. This can be as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit before morning.
How cool should my house be if it's 110 outside? ›
Utilities do their own research, but also have followed the recommendations of a federal program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, which recommends that thermostats should be set at 78 degrees for comfort and savings. “When it's really hot outside, your AC feels it too.
In most cases, especially in residential applications, you should not run your air conditioner when outdoor temperatures are below 60 degrees. The air conditioner does function, but you are going to burn out the compressor fairly quickly.
What is the lowest temperature possible for HVAC? ›
Most residential AC units can cool air to around 60-65°F (15-18°C), which is considered comfortable for indoor settings. However, specialized industrial or scientific systems can reach lower temperatures, potentially going as low as -60°F (-51°C).
What is the lowest you can set your AC? ›
Your air conditioner can only lower the temperature by 20°F. This is the temperature differential. When you set your thermostat to less than 20° below the outside temperature, your AC will never be able to reach its goal. It'll certainly try, though.
How cold is too cold for a thermostat? ›
What Temperature is Too Cold for a House? While everyone has a different tolerance to cold, ideal winter heat settings should generally be at or above 63 °F (17 °C). 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.
What temperature should I leave my AC on when not home? ›
Ideally, you should set your thermostat to somewhere between 80 and 85 degrees while you're away on vacation. For most people, this is still warmer than the temperature they would have their thermostat set to while they're at home while simultaneously helping to keep humidity at bay.
Is 60 degrees too cold to sleep? ›
“Typically it is suggested that the optimal sleeping temperature in the bedroom for adults should be between 60 and 67° F,” says Dr. Drerup. This range of temperature is thought to actually help facilitate the stability of REM sleep.
Is 20 Degrees too cold for a house? ›
What is an unhealthy room temperature? 20 – 23 is a suitable temperature for those over 65 years of age. Still, in your average home, your temperature should not be below 20 degrees, as this can increase the risk of respiratory disease or even hypothermia.
How cold will my house get without heat? ›
How cold can a house get without heat overnight? The time of day your heater goes out impacts how long the house stays warm. Indoor temperatures go down faster at night, so if your furnace stops overnight, you can expect a quicker decline. This can be as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit before morning.
Is 68 too cold for AC? ›
Is 68 too cold for AC? Setting your AC to 68°F might feel too cold for some, especially in residential settings, as it is lower than the typical comfort range. However, preferences vary, and this temperature might be suitable for those who prefer cooler environments.
