What Is The Perfect Home Temperature?

Wondering exactly what temperature you should try to keep your home at? While personal preferences may vary, scientists believe that the optimum temperature for most humans is about 23.5 degrees Celsius (or 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit). There are certain times when you may want to set the thermostat a little higher or lower, however – this post explains more.

Do men and women have different preferences?

Studies have found that men and women may prefer different temperatures. Most men prefer a cooler room temperature of 22.2 degrees Celsius, while women prefer a slightly higher room temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. This is likely due to physiology, causing men to get hotter quicker and women to get colder more easily. If you live in an all-men or all-women home, this could be something to consider. 

What about if you have kids or pets?

Some people believe that a warmer home is better for babies. However, babies are often more sensitive to higher temperatures, and 18 degrees Celsius is typically the optimum temperature for them. Furry pets like dogs and cats thrive in room temperatures between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. 

Should all rooms be the same temperature?

If you’re able to set a different temperature in each room, then it could be worth using this capability. Typically, the only rooms that need to be kept at 23.5 degrees Celsius are rooms you actively use for long periods such as a living room or home office. You’re not likely to use hallways for long periods, so these can be kept as low as 15 degrees Celsius.

Your kitchen is likely to heat up a little while you cook, so you may want to keep it at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. Bathrooms can meanwhile lose heat quickly due to their cold surfaces, so you may want to keep the heat between 22 degrees Celsius and 24 degrees Celsius while in use. Bedrooms are meanwhile best kept between 16 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius to account for the added heat provided by bedding. 

As mentioned above, keeping the temperature cooler in rooms you don’t use regularly makes practical sense. However, it could also save you money on your energy bills – 19 degrees Celsius (66.2 degrees Fahrenheit) is the temperature at which most HVAC systems use the least amount of energy. Of course, there are other ways that you can save money too.

The first of course is to make sure that your HVAC is working properly. Inefficient HVAC will take more energy to reach the right temperature or may even fail to provide cool air. If you notice problems, consider looking into HVAC repair and replacement.

You may also be able to reduce the amount of heating and cooling necessary by carefully considering your clothing and bedding choices. During colder months, wearing more layers of clothing and using insulating bedding, such as flannel sheets or heavy comforters, can help retain body heat. This simple adjustment allows you to stay warm without needing to increase the thermostat significantly.

Additionally, incorporating thermal blankets or heated mattress pads can provide targeted warmth, ensuring comfort without heating the entire home. On the other hand, during the warmer months, lighter clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton or linen can help keep you cool and comfortable. Switching to lighter bedding, such as cotton sheets and lightweight duvets, can make it easier to sleep in a warm environment, reducing the need for air conditioning or fans running at high speeds.

Finally, consider taking steps to make your home less reactive to external temperature fluctuations. Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to maintain a stable indoor temperature. Insulating walls, roofs, and floors prevents heat from escaping during the winter and keeps it from entering during the summer. Sealing gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulking can also significantly reduce drafts and unwanted heat exchange. Installing energy-efficient windows or adding window film can further enhance temperature control. If you live in a rural area, you may wish to use water tanks that keep the water at a stable cool temperature to prevent it from freezing in winter or evaporating in summer, installed with float switches for better control.

In addition, your choice of window treatments can make a big difference. For summer, lighter curtains, blinds, or reflective shades can help reflect sunlight and reduce heat gain, keeping your home cooler naturally. In winter, heavier drapes or thermal curtains can help retain warmth by reducing heat loss through windows. Combining these strategies with energy-efficient habits—like opening windows during cooler times of the day and closing them during peak heat hours—can help minimize reliance on heating and cooling systems while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.