Last updated on March 8th, 2023 at 07:08 am
Winter is a great season, a time to enjoy the snow, snuggle in front of the fireplace, and have some comfort food. It’s also the time to forget about sweat, bugs, longer days, and shaving, at least for a while.
For homeowners, it’s the perfect time to get gadgets that make their houses more habitable. A failure to address the low temperatures can cause colds, sniffles, or seasonal depression.
Fortunately, there are ways to make your house warmer during winter. But before rushing off to get temperature-regulation systems, it’s essential to know the reasonable temperature for a house during winter.
68°F (20°C) is the base temperature, but you can adjust it upwards or downwards depending on your preference. This temperature is comfortable, saves energy, and provides habitable conditions in the house. When no one is home, you can reduce it to 61°F (16°C) to save energy.
What Is a Reasonable Temperature for a House in Winter at Night?
Research into sleep patterns reveals that cold weather affects sleep quality. Winter nights can get exceptionally cold. The body consumes less energy at night, which drops its temperature. Chilly weather reduces body temperature and decreases your metabolism rate.
However, you have some control over the temperature when you are indoors. You can use a programmable thermostat or adjust your ceiling fan to its winter setting. This keeps your house warm.
66°F (19°C) is sufficient to keep your body temperature low so you can fall asleep faster. In case you plan to cover yourself, you can set the thermostat at 62°F (17°C). This is because you will get warm under blankets.
At night, 62°F (17°C) is ideal because it lowers your energy costs. You don’t use as much energy when you’re asleep. To further reduce energy consumption, ensure all non-essential electrical appliances are switched off at night.
What Is a Reasonable Temperature for a House in Winter at Night in Columbus, Ohio?
Columbus, Ohio, experiences temperatures that range between 22°F to 86°F (-5 to 30°C). When it’s really cold, the temperatures can reach 0°F (-17°C), which is about two nights a year. The coldest months are December through February. Many nights have below freezing temperatures when the cold is severe.
There are ways you can prepare for this harsh weather. Stock up on firewood so your fireplace never goes out. Also, check your home’s heating system to ensure it works.
Setting your thermostat to 68°F (20°C) temperature is another way to overcome the cold. This is a good temperature because in late spring, Columbus experiences temperatures between 43°F to 73°F (6-23°C). In summer, the temperatures lie between 55°F and 95°F (13-35°C).
But adjusting your thermostat shouldn’t be the only thing you do. Make these minor changes to keep your house warm in winter:
- Cover your fireplace with a plug or a chimney balloon when you’re not using it. This minimizes heat loss via the chimney and keeps your house warm.
- Make the most of the sun’s light on sunny days. The sun’s heat is free and natural and provides a great way to keep your house warm. A soon as the sun sets, close the curtains to keep in the heat.
- Seal any gaps on windows and doors by applying caulk. When cold air enters a room, it reduces your home’s internal temperature and increases energy costs.
- Place carpets and rugs on tiled and wooden floors. Approximately 10% of heat is lost through floors that are not insulated. Besides keeping the room cozy, rugs and carpets will also keep your feet warm.
What Is a Reasonable Temperature for a House in Winter While You’re Away on Travel?
Going on vacation is a great way to enjoy better weather if you don’t like the harsh winter weather. But nothing feels as bad as coming back to frozen water pipes. It is literally an icy reception. You may be torn between sitting down and crying and getting down to work and fixing the problem.
The good news is, you can make sure your home stays habitable even when you are away. If there are no pets in the house, keep energy costs as low as possible. Ensure your house is adequately ventilated and don’t leave the central heating on. Also, check the heating to minimize the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. You can also switch off electronics to prevent unnecessary power draw.
If nobody will be in the house when you travel during winter, lower the thermostat’s temperature to 50°F (10°C). This temperature is enough to keep your house warm and to make sure the pipes don’t freeze.
A programmable thermostat can schedule temperature changes and keep the house habitable while you are away. When you’re traveling back home, you can program the temperature to increase.
What Is a Reasonable Temperature for a House in Winter by Law?
How warm or cold your house is is a personal choice. However, there are some laws that govern the average temperature you can set for your house in winter.
Governments usually implement energy policies to ensure people don’t waste electricity or power by setting abnormal house temperatures, especially in winter. They put a cap on the allowable temperature to keep running costs low and to provide everyone with sustainable power.
It’s also important for a house to have a certain temperature for public safety. This helps prevent cases of negligence with children, animals, or people with medical conditions in the house.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is the governmental organization tasked with the oversight of energy needs. By law, there are about 3 caps on reasonable temperatures for houses in winter.
Thermostats should be set to at least 68°F (20°C) if there are people in the house who are awake. Set the temperature to 60 – 67°F (15.5-19°C) when the house occupants are sleeping. 50°F (10°C) is the lowest temperature you can set if no one is home and there are no plants or pets. If you have plants and pets and you’re going away, you can leave the temperature at 60°F (15.5°C).
What Temperature Is Too Cold for a House?
If it’s already winter, you must wonder if the house can get colder than it is. How cold or warm your house is depends on its level of winterization, the insulation, and how much you want to save on heating.
The World Health Organisation recommends that in winter, the minimum house temperature be 64 °F (18°C). The organisation considers this a safe temperature for the general population. It is also good enough to save energy consumption and maintain warm conditions when people are at home.
If you have an infant or an elderly person in the house, don’t set the thermostat at 65°F (18°C). The temperatures should range between 70 and 86 °F (21-30°C) depending on the particular region.
It’s easy for your house to get too cold in winter because of the very low temperatures. Don’t set your thermostat below 50°F (10°C). This temperature is too cold if the house has people in it. When you’re away, set the temperature between 50°F-60°F (10-15.5°C). If your home isn’t sufficiently winterized, the indoor temperatures should range between 55-60°F (13-15.5°C).
What Is the Best Thermostat Setting in Winter?
Your thermostat is the best tool for keeping you and your environment warm and comfortable during winter. However, you can own a thermostat and still get the temperature wrong. The best thermostat setting is 68°F, which is about 20°C.
If you will be away for a short time, like during the day when you go to work, set the thermostat between 55-60°F (13-15.5°C). This temperature keeps the house warm enough till you get back after a few hours.
If you’re going on vacation, 50°F (10°C) is ideal. You can adjust the temperature upwards or downwards by 10°F–from the 68°F (20°C) base temperature. This ensures the house is comfortable for everyone.
What Is the Lowest Temperature You Should Keep Your House At?
How cold your house is will depend on what you consider comfortable. To some people, 70°F (21°C) is the ideal temperature. To others, anything below 65°F (18°C) is cold. But if you follow EPA guidelines, 68°F is good enough for any person.
The lowest acceptable temperature for a house is 65°F (18°C). This is if there are people in the house. The home’s occupants should also be okay with that temperature.
68°F (20°C) is good enough for most people. 60°F (15.5°C) is good if you want to keep your energy costs low. But when you’re away for a long time, aim for temperatures between 50°F-60°F (10-15.5°C).
What Temperature Should I Leave My House In the Winter?
This depends on whether you’re going to be away for a long period or a short one. Also, think of your pets. Will you leave them in the house when you travel? You should also check if your thermostat is self-programmable.
The answers to these questions will determine what temperature you leave your house in during winter. If you plan to go away for a while, ensure there’s no risk of pipes getting frozen by water and other components.
Setting the thermostat’s temperature to 50°F (10°C) makes sure your house stays warm enough not to freeze. If you have pets and plants, maintain an average temperature of 60°F (15.5°C).
Is 58 Degrees Too Cold for a House?
58°F (14°C) is too cold for a house with people in it. If you set such a low temperature while you’re in the house, you put yourself at risk of hypothermia. This temperature setting is only meant to reduce your energy costs while you’re away. Once you’re back, you have to set a higher temperature.
Most people set their thermostats to 58°F (14°C) when they plan on being away for a long time. But if you’ll only be gone for a short while, don’t set a low temperature–below 60°F (15.5°C). Low temperatures make it easier for you to become sick with the flu virus.
Low temperatures lower the humidity in your home, allowing flu particles to float around easily. 68°F (20°C) is a good temperature. However, you should also dress warmly in the house as doctors recommend.
What Is a Comfortable Room Temperature In Winter?
Comfort is subjective. Some people thrive in cold weather while others prefer feeling warm even in winter. Setting the thermostat at 68°F (20°C) is a good way to ensure your house remains warm. You can regulate the temperature by adjusting it upwards or downwards according to your needs.
Find a comfortable temperature for everyone in the house. Summer temperatures can go up to 70°F (21°C), so you can use this temperature as a gauge. If there is an elderly or a sick person in the house, choose a higher temperature.
What Temperature Should I Heat My House to?
According to ENERGYSTAR, the optimum house temperature lies between 70°F (21°C) and 78°F (25.5°C). However, maintaining this temperature can cause your bills to skyrocket. To save energy and decrease heating costs while you’re away, turn the thermostat up or down by 8°F.
Depending on your comfort level, the time of day, and the season, you can reduce the temperature to 65-70°F (18-21°C). Consider what heat level everyone is comfortable with.
Is 15 Degrees Cold for a House?
Do you read your temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit? 15°C converts to about 59°F. This is classified as cool or borderline cold. It is 9 degrees lower than the recommended temperature of 68°F (20°C).
Your bedroom doesn’t have to be as warm as the rest of the house. 14-15°C is a comfortable temperature for your bedroom because it promotes better sleep. When you get up and feel a little chilly, you can always increase the temperature. However, the temperature in your children’s bedroom should be much higher: 18°C-22°C.
Is 65 Degrees Too Cold for a House?
While a cool house makes for a restful night, 65°F may be too cold for some people,such as the elderly or those with respiratory challenges. If your thermostat can’t go beyond 65°F, consider adding an extra layer of clothing to keep you warm.