What Is the Ideal Room Temperature in the UK?

When it comes to thermostat settings, everyone has their own idea of a warm room.

Some love sitting in constant warmth, while others prefer a cooler living environment.

But did you know that changing your thermostat by just one degree can make a huge difference?

Read on to find out the ideal room temperature for your home, and how to stay comfortable all year round.

The UK’s average room temperature

UK studies show that the average room temperature is 18°C.

However, many people mistakenly believe the ideal temperature is actually 21°C.

Reducing your room temperature by just one or two degrees can result in significant savings.

In fact, simply reducing your thermostat by as little as 1°C can save you 10% off your energy bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Ambient temperature

18°C to 19°C is known as the ambient temperature.

Both the objects in your room and the environment directly impact this, making it challenging to regulate.

For example, factors like the weather, humidity, electrical equipment, and even the number of people in a room can cause the ambient temperature to fluctuate.

The best temperature for sleeping

Your bedroom temperature is vitally important for creating the perfect sleep environment.

The Sleep Council confirms your body heat drops when you sleep, making the ideal sleeping temperature 16°C to 18°C.

Anything over 24°C is generally too hot to be comfortable.

Likewise, a cold room at 12°C or less will make you restless. Nobody wants blocks of ice for feet when trying to sleep!

Change your bedding

Weather directly impacts your bedroom temperature, so changing your bedding for the seasons is essential.

The higher the duvet tog rating, the warmer you will be.

In spring and summer, a 2.5 to 7 tog duvet will keep you perfectly comfortable.

In autumn and winter, a 10.5 to 14.5 tog duvet is ideal for maintaining a warm temperature.

You can also use a hot water bottle to keep warm at night, which is a brilliant way to save on energy consumption.

The ideal temperature for children

Babies hold more body heat than adults, but they are also highly susceptible to temperature changes.

The UK Baby Centre recommends a baby’s room should be between 16°C and 20°C.

If the room drops below this, consider adding another blanket to their cot.

Most modern baby monitors now include a thermostat, allowing you to easily keep an eye on your little one’s comfort and ensure they get plenty of sleep.

The elderly

People aged 65 and over are often most at risk when cold weather hits.

The NHS recommends the room temperature for an elderly person should be above 18°C to prevent colds, pneumonia, and severe respiratory conditions.

To help retain heat, the NHS also recommends drawing your curtains at dusk, keeping doors closed to avoid draughts, and having your boiler regularly serviced.

The dangers of cold rooms

Living in a cold house isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous for your health.

Room temperatures that drop below 12°C can worsen respiratory conditions, from the common cold to severe bronchitis.

A cold, damp environment can also lead to mould growth.

Mould causes long-term issues with your respiratory system and can drastically worsen allergy symptoms.

How to control your room temperature

Let’s clear one thing up: turning your thermostat to the highest setting won’t heat your home faster.

It just means your boiler will work harder, wasting energy, increasing your carbon emissions, and driving up your bills.

Instead, consider these practical, energy-saving solutions:

1. Use a smart thermostat

Smart thermostats allow you to set heating schedules and manage your controls remotely from your smartphone.

They keep your home at a median temperature, so your boiler isn’t working incredibly hard.

For example, it uses far less gas to keep your home at 14°C overnight.

And kick it up to 18°C in the morning, than it does to let it drop to 2°C and force the boiler to heat it all the way back up.

2. Use Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)

TRVs act as independent thermostats for your individual radiators.

They automatically respond to changing temperatures in the room, turning the radiator on and off to efficiently meet your desired heat.

3. Keep the doors closed

Warm air easily escapes through tiny gaps in your property.

Retain your home’s heat by closing off rooms you aren’t using, and use draught excluders to stop cold air from flowing in.

Expert boiler advice from Hometree

Are you struggling to keep your home warm?

Get in touch with Hometree.

Our boiler cover and and central heating packages are designed to increase energy efficiency and keep your home safe, warm, and happy throughout the year.

If your heating isn’t working as it should, we’ll send out one of our Gas Safe registered engineers to inspect and repair your boiler.