What is the ideal house temperature when it gets cold?
A federal program recommends people to keep their indoor temperature between 78 and 85 degrees.
Have you ever asked yourself, “what temperature should I set my thermostat to when it gets cold outside?”
The average person wants to blast their heat when it's cold outside, and increase the average house temperature in winter to the maximum. People have their heat turned all the way up, so they don't feel any coldness at all. This is just a natural reaction to the icy temperatures.
However, this might not be the best thing to do in terms of your heating bill (or the environment). So, what is the ideal indoor heating temperature in winter?
Photo by Dan LeFebvre
The Government's Recommendation for Heating your Home
The U.S. government Department of Energy (DOE) states that people should set their thermostats to 68 degrees F. This is the optimal temperature for keeping a home comfortable. The DOE also informs us that a home's thermostat should be turned down below 68 degrees when a person goes to sleep. The best way to save money on your heating bill is to keep your home's temperature near outside temperatures. However, during the winter months, this might not be practical.
Still, if you can make your indoor temperature about 25 degrees warmer than outside, then you will save money and remain heated. If the temperature is 30 degrees (or lower) outside, turn your thermostat up to at least 60 degrees, you will notice the difference. Remember that people feel comfortable in temperatures that are set between 63 to 72 degrees. These temperatures are not too hot or too cold. That is the ideal indoor temperature for homes during the wintertime. However, this answer doesn't fully satisfy the question that was asked.
Photo by Mark McCammon
Home Design, Insulation and Other Factors Influencing Indoor Temperatures
A home design, insulation, and position toward the sun will also determine what indoor temperature is used inside of a home. Homes that have adequate insulation will lose less heat. Homes that face southward won't have to use as much heat because they are in the sunshine longer. Homes that are out in the open and not in the shade of trees will be easier to heat as well. Remember, the more heat you use to keep your home warm, the more money you waste. Don't forget that your home is always trying to adjust to outside temperatures.
So, if it is 25 degrees outside and 80 degrees in your home, your interior is going to lose heat until it reaches outdoor temperatures constantly. Insulation will slow this process, but it won't stop it. Continually running your thermostat will prevent heat loss.
Don't forget that some homes have temperature control by room. So, those homes can set their thermostat to 62 degrees and then use space heaters to provide more heat if they want or need it. Remember, heat is always around us. Even in cold environments, heat is still naturally present.
In short, you can set your home's indoor temperature to anything you desire. However, if you want to save up on electricity and energy costs, then set your temperatures to the comfortable range that people enjoy.
Photo by Wesley Tingey
Types of Thermostats
There are many thermostats that help you observe and moderate your indoor temperature. There is a variety of instruments, and different types of thermostats that you can pick based on your preferences:
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Manual thermostats: these thermostats can be used by different people with different ages, as well as people who are not tech-savvy. Buy one here.
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Programmable thermostats: these instruments are automated. If you have one and programmed the indoor temperature, you won't have to worry about remembering to turn on the heat. Buy one here.
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Smart thermostats: This smart device can be controlled from your smartphone. You can increase or decrease the average house temperature in winter to any temperature you desire, wherever and whenever you are. Buy one here.
The perfect average house temperature in winter is a matter of preference. You can set it higher than usual when you're very cold, and you can set it lower than usual when you want to save up some money. However, the above indoor temperature strategies for winter will help you stay warm and comfortable throughout the season.
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