Creating a Healthy Habitat: Room Temperature Guidelines

Your home’s ideal temperature is shaped by several factors, including where you live, the time of year, and your personal preferences. As a general rule, your home’s healthiest temperature falls between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range suits most people and can help prevent health concerns like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and hypothermia.

Moreover, the optimal temperature for each room in your house varies. The bedroom, for example, should stay cooler than the rest of the home, at 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range can promote better sleep and reduce the chance of sleep-related health problems. Follow these tips to keep yourself and your loved ones comfortable and healthy all year.

Adjust Home Temperatures as Needed

Many people often consider a temperature between 68 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit to be perfect. That said, the optimal temperature may vary based on the individual or the room.

For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends about 64 degrees Fahrenheit for a healthy, fully dressed adult. This temperature is also considered best for sleep. However, they recommend that people who are disabled, elderly, or young stay in rooms no colder than 68 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid health risks. Anyhow, keeping the room temperature above 61 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal if you or anyone in your household has allergies or respiratory issues. People with asthma or allergies are especially prone to respiratory problems in low temperatures.

Optimal Temperature by Room

Adjust the temperature in particular rooms for optimal health and comfort based on where you spend most of your time. Consider these temperatures:

• Living Room: Experts often recommend maintaining a living room temperature of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal health. If it’s cooler, you may feel cold and restless; if it’s warmer, you risk overheating and dehydration.
• Bedroom: You spend many hours in the bedroom at night, so it matters that it’s comfortable and healthy for sleeping. Keep the temperature between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit to achieve this. This range helps your body regulate its temperature during sleep and prevents sweating or shivering.
• Kitchen: With all the activity that comes with cooking or baking, the kitchen should be cooler than other rooms. Aim for a kitchen temperature between 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit. This range helps you stay comfortable in the room and can prolong the shelf life of some food items.
• Bathroom: Setting the bathroom temperature lower than other rooms in your rental home helps prevent mold and mildew. Aim for the low 70s. This range can help stop fungi from multiplying and remove any musty odors.

Pay careful attention to any signs of poor health your body may display. Feeling too hot or too cold may be a sign that you need to adjust the temperature. Similarly, symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or dry skin may signal that the temperature is not optimal for your health.

Be sure your rental home is adequately insulated to prevent heat loss in winter. Also, block summer sunlight with curtains or blinds to keep your home cool. Consider a programmable thermostat that sets the temperature automatically according to your schedule and preferences.

If you are looking for a new rental home, we encourage you to consider Real Property Management Southland as your next destination. Our firm manages and offers a broad selection of elegant homes in Whittier and the surrounding area, supported by a remarkable team of property managers. To learn more about our offerings, call us at 562-270-1777 or browse our available listings.