Unhealthy heat can refer to too little heat or too much. In winter, the goal of many people is simply optimum comfort day and night, along with the lowest costs possible. Individuals may disagree according to personal temperature preferences, age, and health status. However, there is general agreement from medical and government sources about what’s healthy as opposed to what constitutes unhealthy heat inside a house.
Why Heating Is Hard
Maintaining a healthy indoor temperature that is best for most people can be a challenge in winter. The laws of thermodynamics make the ideal temperature a moving target, as indoor heat naturally flows continuously to the colder outdoors. However, sealing the house by eliminating cracks and gaps that leak heat, as well as ensuring that attic insulation meets current standards and is in good condition, help keep temperatures both comfortable and healthy.
WHO Says So
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published recommendations for optimum healthy indoor temperatures in winter. It is notable that indoor temperatures recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — an organization that’s concerned mainly with energy efficiency — are very close to the WHO’s temperature standards for health.
The WHO recommends 64 degrees as the minimum healthy thermostat setting in winter when the house is occupied and persons are awake and active. If the home includes infants, elderly residents, or individuals with chronic illness, the WHO recommends maintaining a minimum temperature up to 70 degrees.
How Hot Is Too Hot?
Different sources disagree on a maximum indoor temperature setting in winter. However, 72 degrees is the average recommendation. Setting the thermostat higher than the low 70s inevitably increases heat loss to the outdoors, raising heating bills substantially. Higher temperatures indoors can also decrease indoor humidity, which is often naturally low during winter. This unhealthy heat may further degrade indoor health and comfort. With all this said, indoor heating comfort will still vary from one home to another, each choosing what is the best comfort level for their own needs.
For all your home and business heating and indoor air quality needs this winter, contact the pros at Jackson & Sons.
