What temperature to put the heating on at?

hellokitty08

Hello,

(money saving to the extream)
Having decided to not put the heating on for as long as possible, i feel that there was a terrible flaw in my plan. Some really cold days. Therefor my new idea involves only justifying the heating if the room falls below a certain temperature, but what temperature?

I know everyone will have different ideas of what is cold, but your views would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

kippers

I don't know if i'm right but i read somewhere that condensation happens when the temperature in your house falls below 18 degrees.

(Pls don't shoot me down if i've got this wrong)

KimYeovil

No need to consider heating until 12 or 11 degrees.

My (literal) rule of thumb - if your body feels cold, put on more clothing - if your fingers are too cold to do up the buttons, put on the heating.

Premier_2

Condensation - not shooting anyone down just trying to avoid any confusion

Condensation occurs when hotter air (which will naturally hold more water content) meets colder air e.g. a nice warm interior of a house meets the cold windows (or sometimes walls) of a house - then the water in the warm air condenses as it hits the cooler surface.

As for an ideal temperature to turn on the heat - when you feel cold!

It is claimed that an ideal temperature to live in is between 18 - 21 deg C. During the day when you are more alert and active, you may find the lower end is best, but as you get more tired and you begin to slow down (slouch in front of the TV) you may want to be nearer the higher end of that range.

You don't need this temperature whilst sleeping as hopefully you'll have lots of bed clothes to keep you warm.

As KimYeovil says, it is suggested that you do have the temperature above 12 deg C during the day as there is a risk of hypothermia setting in, especially in the old (or young).

Having said that, I remember when I was a poor student the temperature in our flat was often well into single figures at times during the winter and we're all still alive. We used to go down the pub for a warm up when we couldn't stand the cold any longer
(Well that was our excuse)

Cardew

kippers wrote: »

I don't know if i'm right but i read somewhere that condensation happens when the temperature in your house falls below 18 degrees.

(Pls don't shoot me down if i've got this wrong)

No there is no specific temperature at which condensation occurs.

The warmer the air, the more moisture it can carry. When it cools it can carry less - which is why when the air hits something cold (e.g. a window pane of cold bottle from the fridge) condensation forms.

However the point at which condensation occurs is determined by the humidity of the air. So you can get condensation forming in a hot kitchen or bathroom, but none in a cold garage.

If you do have condensation problems because of high humidity, the answer is to use a dehumidifier rather than turn up your heating.

Turning to the OP's question on room temperature. It depends on the person and what they are doing - activity or sitting. Plenty of views on the internet but 22-24C seems to be favoured for sitting.

As I type it is 28C in my room, kept down to that level by very efficient Air Conditioning!!!! - I hear its cold in UK!

hellokitty08

I am not worried about condensation, ( i dont have any) but was more consered about over (or under) reacting to the cold. So the fact it was probably about 5-8 degress in my flat at some point over the weekend was probably a bad thing. as a general rule, if I am cold, i put a jumper on, if I am still cold, i get a blanket, but maybe sleeping with a hat on, was a bit extream, without the heating on. I will go with the 12 degree suggestion i think, so when it gets below 12 degress in the flat if I am cold, i will put the heating on.

Thanks