In winter, it becomes difficult to define exactly what is the ideal temperature to keep at home. The perception of heat is in fact very subjective and varies from person to person. However, it is important not to overheat the rooms in which we live both to save money and to protect our health. Let's find out why.

How many degrees should you keep indoors in winter?

Although the sensation of heat is an individual factor, it is commonly believed that an ambient temperature below 19/20° C generates a sensation of cold.

That's why the right temperature to keep indoors during the winter should be around 20 C degrees, with a humidity level between 50/55%.

Similarly, it is not recommended to raise the heating too much, exceeding 25 C degrees: it would negatively affect the quality of life and the health of those who live there.

The parameters on the right temperature in the house in winter, on the other hand, are set by national legislation. There is a maximum threshold of 20 C degrees, with a tolerance of two. The indication applies to both private homes and public offices and schools.

A level of 20 C degrees during the day in closed environments not only makes it possible to achieve a balanced climatic comfort, but also allows for less impact on environmental pollution. In fact, the production of PM10 in the atmosphere is significantly reduced.

It is very important to evaluate at the same time the humidity rate of the air in the spaces in which we live. Based on its value, we can understand whether the heating is too high or too low.

When it is well below 50%, it means the air is too dry and the heating is too high. In this case, therefore, it may be advisable to use special humidifiers.

On the contrary, a humidity level higher than 60-70% favours the proliferation of microorganisms, moulds and dust mites. They are particularly allergenic and harmful to health.

This problem can be solved thanks to dehumidifiers and, above all, to a continuous recycling of air in the rooms.

What temperature should you keep in the bedroom?

One of the most frequent doubts about the optimal temperature to keep at home in winter concerns the moment we go to sleep. In fact, the quality of sleep is also affected by the degrees we record in the bedroom at night. It shouldn't be too hot and, at the same time, the environment shouldn't be too cold.

The ideal temperature should settle around 16/18 C degrees, both in summer and in winter. It may appear low, but body temperature drops in the evening as a natural process of preparing for sleep.

They may seem excessively low values, but a very high heating can have various consequences on the health of the person who is resting.

An excessive temperature brings with it several negative consequences for our body:

1. respiratory infections: the dry environment and the absence of humidity compromise the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, especially in children;
2. disturbed sleep: rest becomes more difficult if the temperatures of the radiators are too high at night. Above 20° C, the body does not relax its muscles and does not reach a pleasant state of sleep. Similarly, very low humidity for a cold environment alters the respiratory rate;
3. allergies and dermatitis: if the level of the radiators is too high, dermatitis can arise due to dry skin. On the contrary, excessive humidity determined by too low levels allows the proliferation of microorganisms, moulds and dust mites, among the main causes of allergies;
4. headache: it is a frequent symptom when the heating is kept at maximum temperature. A sensation of blunting is generated by the vasodilatation. Excessive heat lowers blood pressure, with less blood flow to the brain leading to uncomfortable symptoms;
5. weight gain: sleeping at high temperature does not allow the body to burn stored fat. This slows down the metabolism;
6. diffusion of toxic substances: an excessive temperature in the boiler can favour the release of toxic substances which can be extremely dangerous. Among these is carbon monoxide: it is an odourless gas, therefore difficult to detect, caused by bad combustion. It causes dizziness, fainting, nausea and headaches.

Maintaining an ideal temperature brings benefits to our immune defences and keeps us safe from colds, bronchitis, pain and irritation to the skin and eyes. And obviously it coincides with savings in the bill.

What is the ideal temperature in the rooms of the house?

Depending on the rooms in our home, we can adjust the best temperature taking into account our activities and habits and the different times of the day.

In the living room, for example, we spend more time than in the bedroom. It's a room that we live in at different times of the day, even wearing different types of clothes. It is thus suggested to maintain a temperature between 19 and 20 C degrees when we are at home.

The temperature in your home doesn't necessarily have to be uniform in all of its rooms. In fact, if in the dining room it is better to stay on the levels envisaged for the living room, in the kitchen it can be even lower. The use of the stove rather than the oven helps to make it hotter even with a temperature set at 18 C degrees.

For the bathroom, a temperature between 19 and 22 C degrees creates that ideal comfort for a part of the house which is usually the most heated for obvious reasons.

It is important to keep in mind that to ensure good air quality, it is not good for our health to always keep the windows closed. The recycling of environments, even for a few minutes, can take place by exploiting the hottest hours of the day or when the radiators are not working, in order not to waste excessive heat.

Finally, a balanced temperature prevents unpleasant temperature changes between the internal and external environment which can prove harmful to the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.

How to tell if a house is cold?

A careful reconnaissance of the different spaces of the house helps to understand if the house we live in is cold or not. It is sufficient to assess the humidity and temperature of floors, ceilings, corners and internal walls by touch.

If they are particularly cold or humid, then it is appropriate to intervene to improve the situation:

• periodically carry out maintenance on the radiators, so that they operate at their best and are safer;
  
• have carpets on the floor, since they are warmer than tiles and block heat loss;
  
• do not set the home temperature to the maximum, because it is enough to set the values between 19 and 21 C degrees to heat the surrounding environment;
• take advantage of the sunlight through the windows during the day, while after dark lower the blinds or close the doors to prevent any heat dispersion.