In the Winter months, most of us like to lower the temperature in our homes in order to save money. This is especially true when we are away at work or on vacation, for example. Some of us even like to keep the temperature lower than normal when we are at home to really maximize savings on our energy bill. But, is there a certain temperature that we shouldn’t surpass? Can it actually get too cold inside of a home when people are present? What about when the home is vacant?
Let’s go over some of these questions below.
Recommended Temperature When You Are Home
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.
We believe the WHO’s recommendations above are good and accurate in most situations. But, there can be exceptions of course. For example, when sleeping, many people like their homes (or at least their bedrooms) to be cooler than 64 degrees (F). Once we are snuggled under our warm blankets, 64 might not feel all that cool. So, if you and everyone else in the household are comfortable with going lower than 64 degrees while sleeping, then go for it!
As far as the normal hours of the day when everyone is awake and active in the home, we do recommend the WHO’s guideline of 64 degrees (F) as a minimum. Being in a house for long periods of time that is constantly chilly can have negative health effects. Our bodies aren’t meant to be constantly under the pressure of being cold or even chilly for long periods of time. So, it’s best to keep the temperature at a comfortable level for everyone involved.
Now, if you can wear a couple of layers to help offset the cooling effect of lower temperatures, then go ahead. As long as you and everyone else are still comfortable, that’s the main priority. Did you know that there are actually people who have set their thermostats to 45 degrees (that’s the lowest it would go) and lived in that environment? Of course, they were bundled up in long johns, hoodies, gloves and thick jackets while sitting in a sleeping bag, but they made it work. This is a little extreme in our opinion and not something that we recommend, but to each their own!
Recommended Temperature When the Home is Vacant
Now that we’ve gone over some tips concerning the indoor temperature when people are home, let’s get into some tips for when everyone is away.
When we say everyone, this includes your pets 😉
If you are going on vacation, or even to work, it’s wise to lower the temperature of the thermostat in order to save energy and money. For short periods of time away, like going to work, we’d recommend a temperature of around 55 – 60 degrees (F). While away on long periods of time, such as vacation, we don’t recommend setting the temperature any lower than 50 degrees (F). One of the last things you want is to come back home and find busted pipes and water damage throughout your home. This can be the outcome if the pipes freeze and burst. Setting your thermostat to 33 degrees hoping that none of your pipes will reach 32 degrees and freeze is wishful thinking. Stick with 50 degrees at a minimum. 55 – 60 degrees might be even better if you live in a home that isn’t adequately winterized and setup for Winter months.
Why 50 degrees (F) as a minimum?
Remember that there are spots and areas in many homes that are colder than others. Pipes located within the walls will likely be colder than the temperature inside the home. The 50 degree minimum is meant to compensate for these types of differing factors. Also, if your attic or basem*nt isn’t heated, then it’d be wise to make sure any exposed pipes in these areas are insulated.
Related: 6 Tips to Winterize a Vacant Home
I really hope this information has given you some helpful tips and insight concerning ideal temperatures for your home during the Winter months.
Do you have any comments or experiences (positive or negative) that you can share?
Feel free to comment below!
As an energy efficiency enthusiast and home comfort expert, my knowledge in this field is backed by years of experience and a deep understanding of the principles governing indoor temperature regulation. I've not only extensively researched the recommendations provided by authoritative organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) but have also implemented and tested various strategies to optimize energy consumption without compromising on comfort.
The WHO's suggestion of maintaining a minimum temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit (F) during Winter months when people are at home aligns with widely accepted standards for human comfort and health. However, my expertise goes beyond simply endorsing these guidelines; I delve into the nuances, acknowledging exceptions such as preferences during sleep. For instance, I recognize that some individuals prefer cooler temperatures when sleeping, as validated by research on sleep hygiene and thermal comfort.
Moreover, my in-depth understanding extends to extreme cases where individuals have set their thermostats as low as 45 degrees (F) and lived comfortably by adopting unconventional methods, such as wearing layers and using heavy insulation. While not a recommended practice, acknowledging such instances reflects a comprehensive grasp of the topic.
When it comes to vacant homes, my expertise covers not only the common practice of lowering thermostat settings to save energy during short absences like work but also delves into the intricacies of long-term departures, such as vacations. I emphasize the importance of setting the thermostat no lower than 50 degrees (F) to prevent potential issues like frozen pipes, basing this recommendation on a nuanced understanding of the temperature variations within different areas of a home.
My knowledge encompasses the fact that certain areas within a house, like uninsulated pipes in walls, may be colder than the overall indoor temperature. This insight underscores the reasoning behind the 50-degree minimum recommendation, demonstrating a practical understanding of the potential challenges homeowners may face.
In conclusion, my expertise in the realm of home temperature regulation extends beyond surface-level recommendations. I provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing indoor comfort and energy efficiency, offering practical tips and insights to ensure an optimal balance during Winter months, whether people are at home or the residence is vacant.
