What Not to Fix When Selling a House UK

 

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Knowing what temperature your house should be is an important part of keeping your home comfortable, energy-efficient, and safe for your health. In the UK, where the weather can vary widely between seasons, striking the right balance between warmth and energy cost has never been more relevant. Whether you live in an older property that loses heat quickly or a modern, well-insulated home, maintaining an optimal indoor temperature can make a big difference to comfort, wellbeing, and running costs.

The ideal temperature for a home depends on several factors, including the occupants’ age and health, the efficiency of the heating system, and the insulation levels of the property. However, there are general guidelines supported by the NHS and energy authorities that provide a useful benchmark for most households.

The recommended indoor temperature for UK homes

In the UK, the general advice from the NHS and the World Health Organisation is that homes should be heated to a minimum of 18°C for healthy adults. This temperature is considered safe and comfortable while being energy efficient. For elderly people, infants, or those with medical conditions, a warmer temperature of around 20°C to 21°C is recommended.

Temperatures below 18°C can start to pose health risks, particularly for older adults or those with respiratory or circulatory conditions. Cold indoor environments are linked to an increased risk of colds, flu, and even more serious health problems such as heart attacks or strokes during winter months.

Maintaining consistent warmth throughout the house, especially in living spaces and bedrooms, helps prevent damp and condensation, which can lead to mould growth and worsen respiratory conditions.

Ideal temperatures for different rooms

While 18°C to 21°C is the general guideline, not all rooms need to be heated to the same temperature. Each space in the home serves a different purpose and can be adjusted accordingly to save energy while maintaining comfort.

Living rooms are typically kept warmer, between 19°C and 22°C, as they are the most frequently used spaces where people relax or entertain guests. Bedrooms can be slightly cooler, around 16°C to 18°C, as a lower temperature often promotes better sleep quality. Bathrooms, on the other hand, should be kept warmer, ideally around 22°C to 24°C, to provide comfort after bathing and to prevent moisture build-up.

Rooms that are rarely used, such as spare bedrooms or storage spaces, can be kept cooler but should still be heated occasionally to prevent dampness and damage to furniture or plaster.

Health considerations and household comfort

Indoor temperature is closely tied to health and wellbeing. Cold homes can lead to a variety of health issues, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, babies, or those with long-term illnesses. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 16°C can increase blood pressure and the risk of respiratory infections.

Conversely, overheating a home can also be uncomfortable and wasteful. Maintaining an indoor environment that supports stable body temperature and good air quality is key to overall comfort. For households with children or elderly relatives, ensuring consistent warmth throughout the home, especially in bedrooms and bathrooms, is particularly important during winter.

Balancing comfort and energy efficiency

Rising energy prices have made homeowners more conscious of the cost of heating their homes. The challenge lies in maintaining a comfortable temperature without wasting energy. Modern heating systems, programmable thermostats, and smart controls can help achieve this balance by automatically adjusting the temperature based on usage patterns and external weather conditions.

Reducing your thermostat setting by just one degree can lower annual heating costs by up to 10 per cent, according to Energy Saving Trust data. However, cutting too much can be counterproductive if it leads to cold, damp conditions that require costly repairs later.

Well-insulated homes retain heat more efficiently, allowing you to maintain comfortable temperatures using less energy. Investing in loft insulation, double glazing, and draught-proofing can significantly reduce heat loss and make it easier to control the indoor climate.

Heating systems and thermostat settings

The type of heating system you use also influences how temperature is maintained throughout your home. Central heating systems with thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) allow each room to be controlled individually, helping to prioritise warmth where it is most needed.

For example, keeping living spaces at around 20°C during the day and lowering bedroom temperatures to around 17°C at night is often an effective and efficient approach.

Smart thermostats can learn your schedule and preferences, adjusting heating automatically to save energy when you are away or asleep. These systems can also be controlled remotely through smartphone apps, ensuring your home is warm when you return without unnecessary heating when it is empty.

Night-time temperature recommendations

Many people lower their heating at night to save energy, but the temperature should not fall too low. For most households, a night-time temperature of around 16°C to 18°C is ideal.

This is cool enough to support restful sleep but warm enough to prevent the house from becoming cold or damp overnight. In homes with young children, older adults, or people with health conditions, maintaining a slightly higher minimum temperature is advisable.

Seasonal temperature adjustments

The right indoor temperature also depends on the time of year. In winter, heating systems need to work harder to maintain comfort levels, while in summer, ventilation and cooling become more important.

During the warmer months, it is best to keep indoor spaces between 20°C and 23°C, ensuring rooms are well ventilated to prevent overheating. Modern construction methods, including better insulation and airtightness, have made some homes more prone to retaining heat, so managing ventilation is key.

In winter, regular heating throughout the day helps prevent pipes from freezing and reduces the likelihood of condensation forming on cold walls. Even when you are away, keeping your heating system on a low setting (around 12°C to 15°C) can prevent damage to plumbing and maintain basic warmth.

Energy-saving and environmental considerations

Keeping your home at the right temperature not only affects comfort and health but also plays a role in reducing carbon emissions. Heating accounts for a large share of household energy use in the UK, and improving efficiency helps both the environment and your energy bills.

Using renewable heating systems such as heat pumps, biomass boilers, or solar thermal panels can reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Pairing these with proper insulation and low-temperature heating systems like underfloor heating can create a stable, efficient, and sustainable indoor environment.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) also rate how efficiently homes retain heat. Properties with higher ratings are easier to keep warm and cheaper to run, which adds value and appeal on the housing market.

Common causes of temperature imbalance in homes

Uneven temperatures across rooms are a common issue in UK homes. Cold spots or draughty areas can result from poor insulation, leaky windows, or inefficient heating distribution. Radiators may need balancing, pipes might require lagging, or windows may need better seals to prevent heat loss.

Older homes with solid walls can lose heat quickly, while newer properties built to modern Building Regulations tend to maintain temperature more evenly. Addressing these imbalances not only improves comfort but also reduces energy waste.

Government and health guidance

Public Health England and the NHS recommend maintaining living rooms at 21°C and other rooms at a minimum of 18°C during cold weather. These guidelines are especially relevant for vulnerable groups who may be more affected by temperature fluctuations.

The government’s Cold Weather Plan for England emphasises that households should heat the home efficiently and maintain good insulation to prevent health risks during winter. Simple actions like closing curtains at night, using draught excluders, and keeping radiators unobstructed can make a significant difference.

Sustainable design and smart heating

Sustainable homes are designed to stay warmer naturally through passive design principles. South-facing windows, high-quality insulation, and airtight construction all help maintain a steady internal temperature.

Modern heating technologies such as air-source and ground-source heat pumps are becoming more common in UK homes, providing steady warmth at lower operating temperatures. These systems work most efficiently when the house is well insulated and temperatures are consistent rather than frequently adjusted.

Smart heating controls also contribute to sustainability by preventing unnecessary energy use and learning how best to heat each room based on occupancy and outside weather conditions.

Conclusion

The ideal temperature for a house in the UK depends on health, comfort, and energy efficiency, but most households should aim for around 18°C to 21°C. Living rooms should generally be warmer, while bedrooms can be slightly cooler for restful sleep.

Maintaining consistent warmth helps prevent health risks, damp, and structural damage while keeping energy use under control. With the right combination of insulation, efficient heating, and smart controls, you can create a comfortable, healthy home that stays warm in winter and cool in summer, all while managing costs responsibly and sustainably.

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