8th January 2024
Adjusting the heating levels in our homes
For many years the recommendation has been to heat living rooms to between 18 and 21°C. At the same time we have also been told that turning down the thermostat by 1°C- and putting on a extra layer – can save 10% of our heating costs. How far could or should we go in turning down the heating?
The WHO recommends 18 as a ‘safe and well balanced indoor temperature’ for people living in a temperate – or colder – climate. (https://iris.who.int/rest/bitstreams/1161792/retrieve#page=54)
This sounds like good advice and I imagine assumes that we are wearing appropriate cold weather clothing such as vest and jumpers! Equally if we are active – doing the housework, walking backwards and forwards we will probably be quite comfortable at a lower temperature. The Health and Safety Executive Approved Code of Practice on the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations suggests the minimum temperature for working indoors should normally be at least 16°C or 13°C if much of the work involves rigorous physical effort.
The Green Tau 