HVAC pros reveal 2 'Goldilocks' ranges for the ideal room temperature in bitter winter – it differs from day to night, and room to room

We need heating to stay warm, prevent condensation, and keep our homes damp-free, but you could save money on energy bills by knowing the ideal temperature of a room and when to change it throughout the day.

Whether it's your bedroom, sitting room or dining room, keeping your rooms heated to two 'Goldilocks' ranges that vary for day and night will benefit your health, comfort, and make your heating more efficient, say these HVAC pros.

What is the ideal room temperature?

Our experts put the ideal room temperature between the range of 68-72° Fahrenheit (20-22° Celsius) during the day and 60-67°F (16-19°C) at night in the average home. This range is comfortable for most people without being too high and driving up heating costs, or too cold so a person needs to walk around with multiple layers of sweaters and fluffy socks.

Josh Mitchell, HVAC technician at Air Conditioner Lab, says, 'Different rooms have different heating needs based on their use and exposure to outside temperatures. Living rooms are best kept at 68-72°F (20-22°C), while kitchens usually stay warm from cooking, so they don’t need as much heating – 65-70°F (18-21°C) is fine. Bathrooms should be slightly warmer – 70-75°F (21-24°C) – to prevent post-shower chills, and bedrooms should be cooler, around 60-67°F (16-19°C).'

Bedrooms are a room best kept cooler to cultivate a good sleep environment. Bob Zee, owner of New Panes Creations, says, 'Our bodies naturally cool down as you fall asleep, so a cool room helps this process, making it easier to fall and stay asleep. If the room is too warm, your body may struggle to cool down, interrupting sleep and effecting sleep quality.'

If you use your basement and garage as living space, the ideal temperature will vary as these tend to be more prone to cold and damp. Learning to draft proof your basement or garage will help. Whether it's best to insulate the roof of your garage is depending on if it's a standalone building, or integrated in your house with rooms above it.

'If a basement is used as a living space, it should be kept between 60-65°F (16-18°C) to avoid dampness and mold. If the garage is heated, keeping it at 45-55°F (7-13°C) prevents freezing but avoids wasting energy,' says Josh.

Learning the best ways to heat a garage will help keep the space warm and damp-free, with solutions ranging from freestanding heaters to replacing drafty doors and adding wall insulation.

What happens if a room is too cold?

If your home's rooms fall below the minimum best thermostat temperature, various risks can arise impacting your home, bills, and health.

'Cold air creates moisture buildup, especially on windows and walls, which can lead to a risk of mold,' says Mitchell. 'If a room stays below 55°F (13°C) for long periods, pipes can freeze in exterior walls, increasing the risk of expensive water damage.'

Francis Kaspar of The Chill Brothers, an award-winning HVAC service in Texas, adds, 'Extended exposure to cold temperatures can also aggravate arthritis, lead to respiratory issues, or increase your vulnerability to colds and the flu. Plus, you'll feel a generally higher level of discomfort in the space.'

To ensure your rooms are always at a warm enough temperature, it's a good idea to invest in a simple digital thermostat such as the Honeywell Home RTH2300B1038 5-2 Day Programmable Thermostat from Amazon, as well as an indoor thermometer such as the DOQAUS Digital Hygrometer Indoor Thermometer, also from Amazon.

Using both devices is a great way to check for temperature discrepancies and can help cut energy bills.

Draft excluders are also an easy addition to your home that will keep your house warm without turning up the heat, saving money at home. This Twin Door Draft Stopper from Wayfair is ideal as it blocks drafts on both sides of your doors.

Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden successfully draft proofed her entryway using a simple roll of weatherstripping tape from Amazon. She says. 'I stuck it under the door in less than five minutes and it immediately stopped the draft and excess loss of heat in the entryway and connected living room.'

What happens if a room is too warm?

On the other hand, if a room is too warm and significantly above the ideal room temperature, that's not ideal either. 'There are three main risks a person can face if their room rises above 75°F (24°C) [a few over the ideal room temperature approximation],' explains Kaspar.

1. Sleep disruption: Uncomfortable evenings and poorer sleep quality might result from too warm temperatures.
2. Health problems: In severe situations, heat can lead to heat exhaustion, headaches, and dehydration.
3. Increased bills: Turning up the heat in the winter or turning down the air conditioning too much in the summer causes energy bills to soar. It's a heating mistake to avoid.

Setting a reminder on your phone to turn down your heating at night if it isn't automatic will help form good habits and help lower heating costs this winter.

You could also consider switching out some items in your home to help regulate temperature. Using a cooling blanket like the Elegear Revolutionary Cooling Blanket from Amazon in your bedroom, for instance, will help your body's natural temperature to drop if you're a warm sleeper. Doing this in combination with setting your bedroom to a lower ideal temperature will create an amazing sleep environment.

In the morning, try the German 'shock ventilation' method to air your room to bring down moisture levels and avoid mold or mildew. Keeping your radiators and heating vents free of obstructions such as furniture will help heat circulate well, as well as serving as vital moisture channels to reduce mold damage.

Meet our experts

Bob Zee

Bob has been the owner of New Panes Creations for 10 years, taking the company over from his father. He has been in the industry for 35 years. New Panes began in 1975, and helps up to 3,500 customers per year.

Josh Mitchell

Josh Mitchell is the a HVAC and tech pro, and founder of airconditionerlab.com. His detailed knowledge extends across AC and heating systems, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers. He helps people troubleshoot and fix their HVAC system problems.

Francis Kaspar

Francis Kaspar has been a HVAC technician for over 11 years. The Chill Brothers carry out over 2,600 installs per year, helping clients' homes to function as best as possible.

The temperature of your home is incredibly important to get right, and investing in a smart thermostat might just be what you need to monitor and control yours with ease. Even if you're not the most tech-savvy, this nifty gadget will get you in-the-know on the temperature in your home with ease.