Do you let your living space get uncomfortably hot or cold in the interest of saving money on utility bills? Well, the temperature inside your home has a quantifiable impact on many aspects of your well-being, from sleep quality to respiratory health.
This post will explore how your home’s temperature can affect your health and what you can do to optimize it.
How Temperature Affects Your Body
Your body has an average internal temperature of 98.6°F (37°C). Your surroundings can either support your body’s natural ability to regulate this temperature or put stress on it.
Too Cold? Here’s What Happens
If your home is too cold, your body works harder to stay warm. This can lead to a variety of issues.
- Poor Sleep: Low temperatures can disrupt the sleep cycle, leaving you feeling exhausted when you wake up.
- Weakened Immunity: Prolonged exposure to cold indoor temperatures could weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and flu.
- Joint and Muscle Pain: Cold weather exacerbates joint and muscle pain in many people, especially those with preexisting conditions such as arthritis.
Too Hot? It’s Not Ideal Either
Living in an environment that’s too hot isn’t the best for your health either.
- Dehydration: Excess heat can make you dehydrated if you’re not drinking enough water and replenishing the electrolytes you lose through sweat.
- Heat-related Illnesses: If your home is consistently uncomfortably hot, you risk heat-related illnesses such as heat rash, heat cramps, and heat stroke.
- Worsened Allergies: Warm, humid spaces encourage mold and dust mites, which are known respiratory irritants.
Ideal Temperatures for Health and Comfort
So how hot or cold should your living space be to keep you comfortable and prevent certain illnesses? It’s recommended to keep your living spaces between 68°F and 72°F during the winter. This range is comfortable but still helps you save energy.
For bedrooms, cooler temperatures (between 60–67°F) are optimal. This helps your body naturally lower its core temperature for better quality sleep.
Keep in mind that bathrooms and kitchens should also have excellent ventilation on top of temperature control. This is because they’re usually more humid and odorous environments.
Tips for Maintaining the Right Temperature at Home
Now you know the best temperatures for your home, and here’s how to keep it within that range.
- Use a Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat maintains an ideal temperature throughout the day according to your needs. It also controls heating and cooling bills.
- Check for Drafts and Insulation: Poor insulation or drafts cause temperature fluctuations in certain rooms. Consider sealing windows or upgrading insulation to maintain a consistent indoor environment.
- Invest in a Good HVAC System: A well-maintained heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system ensures efficient temperature regulation. You might need a stronger air conditioning unit or a more efficient heating element; either way, make sure the whole system is functioning as necessary.
- Monitor Humidity Levels: Keep humidity levels between 30–50 percent to avoid respiratory irritation. Use a dehumidifier in the summer or a humidifier during winter.
Final Thoughts
Your home’s temperature is more than just a comfort preference; it affects your health. If you want to improve your sleep, reduce allergy symptoms, and manage illnesses, invest in complete climate control today.
This article was written for WHN by Casey Cartwright, a passionate copyeditor highly motivated to provide compelling SEO content in the digital marketing space. Her expertise includes a vast range of industries, from highly technical to consumer and lifestyle-based, with an emphasis on attention to detail and readability.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507838
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/thermoregulation
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3427038
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/weather-and-joint-pain
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22111-hyperthermia
https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/dust-mites
https://www.aentassociates.com/fact-or-fiction-can-heat-affect-your-allergies-and-make-them-worse
