The temperature you set on the heating is one of the controls that has the biggest effect on how comfortable a home feels and, at the same time, on what you spend on energy. It is not about keeping the cold out at any cost, but about finding the point where the house feels comfortable without the system running longer than it needs to.
What is the ideal temperature for the heating?
Setting the heating properly is one of the simplest ways to improve the comfort of a home and keep the energy use under control. It is not about being cold, but about adapting the temperature to what you need at each moment.
As a general guide, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to around 68 °F (20 °C) during the day when you are at home, and adjusting it to suit your personal needs. At night you can usually set it lower, as long as your bedding and the insulation of the home let you sleep comfortably. You can read the full recommendations in the Department of Energy Energy Saver guidance.
1. Match the temperature to your schedule
You do not need to keep the same temperature all day. If you are out at work or at school, you can turn the heating down while the home is empty, taking into account how long the house takes to get back to a comfortable temperature.
If you spend many hours away, a programmable thermostat can help you avoid paying for heating when nobody is home.
2. Do not turn the thermostat up too far
If you feel cold when you get home, turning the thermostat up several degrees does not necessarily mean the home heats up faster. On many systems, it simply means the heating runs for longer.
It is better to select the temperature you want and check that the system is working correctly.
3. Make the most of the sun during the day
Open the blinds and curtains when the sun comes in. In the evening, close them to reduce the heat lost through the windows.
If you have long curtains, try to make sure they do not block the airflow around the radiators.
4. Check the doors and the windows
Drafts can make a room feel uncomfortable even when the thermostat shows a reasonable temperature.
Check the closures and use compatible weather strips to reduce the leaks. If the home has serious insulation problems, it may need a more complete solution: our guide to insulating windows against the cold without doing any work explains how to find and seal the places where the heat escapes.
When the gap is at the bottom of a door, the problem is a different one: in how to stop drafts coming in under your doors we explain how to choose a draft excluder that does not get in the way of the door.
5. Keep the radiators in good condition
Do not cover the radiators with clothes or place large pieces of furniture in front of them. If you have water radiators and one of them does not heat evenly, check the manufacturer’s instructions or ask a professional whether it needs servicing.
6. Close the rooms you do not use, when it makes sense
If you have zoned heating or can adjust each radiator separately, you may be able to reduce the heat in rooms you rarely use.
Do not close rooms in a way that harms the ventilation, the way the heat moves around the home or the way the system works. Avoid very low temperatures in homes where there is a risk of damp or of pipes freezing.
7. Do not forget the ventilation
Renewing the air is important to keep a good indoor air quality. Air the home briefly and effectively, adapting to the ventilation system you have and to the conditions of your home.
If there is persistent damp, condensation or mold, find the cause. Turning the heating up on its own does not always solve the problem: in why damp appears in the home and how to prevent it we tell condensation, leaks from outside and plumbing leaks apart, because each one needs a different solution.
Conclusion
The right temperature depends on the home, the heating system and the people living in it. Start by adjusting the thermostat, making the most of the solar heat and cutting the drafts. Then compare your usage to see which measures actually work for you.
To find out where your money goes, read how to understand your electricity bill step by step, and replace the old lighting following the criteria in our guide to LED bulbs: power, lumens and how to choose the right one. The rest of the steps that need no investment are in 10 tips to save money on electricity at home.
