Home heating experts update temperature and thermostat recommendations

Experts are updating recommendations for home heating as modern insulation and heating technologies change domestic energy needs. While a 19°C standard was common in older, poorly insulated buildings, experts now suggest 20°C as a new baseline for living rooms to ensure better thermal comfort and reduce the risk of mold caused by insufficient heating.

Effective heat management involves understanding thermostat settings. On many common thermostatic heads, the numbers represent expected room temperatures rather than water temperature or power levels. For example, a setting of '3' typically aims for approximately 20°C, while '5' aims for roughly 28°C. Setting a thermostat to '5' does not heat a room faster.

To optimize energy use and comfort, specialists recommend: - Maintaining approximately 20-21°C in living rooms, 18°C in bedrooms, and 24°C in bathrooms. - Avoiding overheating, as lowering the temperature by just 1°C can save about 5% in heating costs. - Ensuring proper air circulation by not blocking radiators with curtains or furniture. - Using a thermometer placed away from windows and direct sunlight to get accurate readings.