What is the Ideal Temperature for my Thermostat?

The temperature you keep your thermostat at is largely personal preference, and can change depending on a number of factors, including the temperature outside, whether or not you are sick, and even who is home when. But is there a temperature that is generally ideal? As much as “ideal temperature” is a subjective experience and may even cause dispute in your house, are there ways to determine where that thermostat should be set? Let’s explore that question! 

First, we should establish a general baseline. While this too can vary by individual, a great rule of thumb is around 21-22° C if you are mostly lounging around the home, 20° if you are being more active (doing chores, for instance) and around 16-19° C for sleeping or for when no one is home.  

From this point, you will have to consider several factors, including: 

Where in your house will you be? 

If you are lounging on the main floor, sleeping in the basement, or doing chores on the second floor, all of those baseline temperatures will change. Because heat rises, you may be far too hot scrubbing toilets on an upper level of the house if the thermostat was set to 20°; conversely, if you set it to 16°C but are sleeping in the basement, that might be far too chilly. Consider where people are in the house at different times of the day, and program your thermostat accordingly. You can also consider blocking drafts, adding blankets, and placing portable heaters and fans in areas where temperature extremes are a problem, instead of demanding everyone in the house accommodate those areas.  

What season is it? 

People tend to keep their homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, or at least attempt to. If it is wintertime and you use your basement, you might want to set the thermostat at the higher end of your comfortable range. If it is summer, you probably want it on the lower range. You will also want to consider holiday seasons – the more people you entertain and the more activity there is going on in your home (especially in the kitchen), the cooler you will want to keep your house. When trying to establish a comfortable temperature, consider the season and how busy your house will be.  

How old are the occupants? 

Another thing to consider when deciding what to set your thermostat at is the age of the occupants of your home. If you have elderly, disabled or very young people living with you, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends not lowering your thermostat below 20°. If you are a healthy adult, you may need to defer to the needs of the elderly or very young, or those that have disabilities.  

While there may not be an ideal temperature that everyone loves, there are special considerations that should help you hit a moving target more accurately. By supplementing with things like clothes and blankets and space heaters, you may be able to accommodate people who likes things cooler, but there are times (like with a newborn) that may mean the person who runs hot will just have to sit by a fan.