Heating: what’s the ideal temperature for our home?

The average temperature in our homes has risen considerably in the last 50 years, mainly thanks to improved insulation and better performing heating systems.
In the ’60s, the average temperature in a room in the winter months was in fact around 12° C. But today the thermometer in European homes is in the 18° to 20° range, according to a study published by the British Medical Journal. What aspects should we be looking at when setting the ideal temperature in our homes in winter? Let’s find out in the four points below.

1. A healthy ambient temperature
According to standards set by WHO (World Health Organization), a healthy ambient temperature – meaning the recommended level of heat ensuring people’s physical wellbeing in a given ambience – is around 18° C, which can vary with the relative humidity in the room.

2. What does the law say?
In most countries, the maximum temperature set by law for homes, offices, schools and all other public buildings is 20° C (with 2° tolerance either way). Apart from risking fines, heating above these levels may favour the onset of seasonal complaints associated with outdoor-indoor temperature difference. To help us regulate the temperature in each room of the home, Ariston has therefore developed “intelligent” thermostats - with outdoor sensors - capable of controlling (even wirelessly) up to six rooms, thus optimizing comfort in the home.

3. Remember humidity
In addition to temperature, it’s important to take into account the relative humidity in the home. In general, relative humidity of over 80% creates problems for our body and we perceive the temperature as too high or too low, depending on the season. Conversely, if humidity drops below 20%, the air becomes too dry and may cause respiratory problems, risk of inflammation and difficulty in producing saliva.

4. The importance of an efficient heating system
To guarantee the ideal temperature in our home and balance the humidity entering from outdoors it’s vitally important to be able to rely on an efficient heating system, one that offers optimum comfort in the home without dispersion of heat, for example the Alteas ONE – NET, Ariston’s latest generation system for managing ambient temperature.