‘Ideal’ temperature to heat your home in winter while also keeping energy bills down

Now that Christmas is drawing closer most people will be looking to save money however they can, and one easy way to lower electricity bills is finding the optimal temperature to warm your home.

During the winter, people can sometimes be reluctant to turn on the heating and find alternative ways to heat their home due to not wanting to be surprised by a large energy bills during the cost of living crisis.

However, it can be dangerous to keep the heating off in December, as it can affect your health, especially if you have children, elderly or someone with an illness.

Becky Mckay, a sustainability expert from Green Match, has explained that you can keep your home heated while also keeping an eye on any mounting bills.

In a blog post online, Becky explained: “One of the biggest hurdles to families being able to heat their homes properly is the current cost of energy….Heating a home in the UK accounts for over half of the average energy bill. Due to this high cost, homeowners need to look for more efficient ways to heat their homes and save on the energy they use.”

What is the best temperature for the home? 

Most people will feel comfortable in a home between 18C and 22C, according to Becky, who wrote it was the “ideal temperature” to keep a home “healthy and comfortable” but warned that 18C is the lowest the temperature should be in the home.

Becky explained: “According to the World Health Organisation, and the UK Government guidelines, 18C is the minimum temperature any room should be to ensure good health.

“This is based on a healthy adult, wearing warm clothing, and should therefore be adapted depending on a person’s own health and circumstances.”

However, if you have someone more vulnerable in your home like children, certain rooms of the home will need to be at a higher temperature.

Becky wrote: “According to the NHS, a small baby’s room should be between 16 – 20°C. This is really important to remember, as overheating in small children can lead to devastating outcomes.

“Similarly, if you have elderly guests or residents, during the colder months it’s vital to keep their rooms at a consistent temperature of at least 18°C, according to Age UK. This is because the cold puts pressure on the heart, which can increase the risk of a stroke, heart attack and hypothermia.”

How else to save money on heating? 

For a longer-term solution, Becky has suggested you can heat your home much more efficiently by installing a few home improvements such as smart controls.

Having smart heating controls means you will have complete control over the temperature of each room in the home from the comfort of your phone.

Becky explained: “Smart controls range from remote smart thermostats and apps to smart radiator valves. These controls do range in price but have different benefits depending on your needs. Full smart controls can allow you to schedule your heating, set individual room temperatures and even control your heating from your phone wherever you are.”

Ensuring that every corner of the home is well insulated can also help you save more money on energy bills in the long run as it will help trap more heat into a room.

Becky wrote: “Whilst this should include wall and cavity wall insulation, you can also make sure you have double-glazed windows or use draft proofing.

“Any way you can stop heat escaping from your home is a worthwhile investment. Small, immediate steps can include using thicker curtains and blocking up any gaps around doors and windows.”