Experts slam the World Health Organization’s advice to set the thermostat in your home to 18°C - and emphasize that the temperature in your home needs to be at least 20°C to keep you warm this winter
As temperatures start to drop in Britain, many of us will soon be considering turning up the thermostat.
But now that energy costs are eye-wateringly high, no one wants to waste a cent on unnecessary heating.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended temperature for your home is a chilly 18°C (64.4°F).
However, experts have rejected the global health agency’s recommendation, saying it could lead to illness and poor health.
To stay warm and safe this winter, health experts say the thermostat should be set to at least 20°C (68°F).
That is slightly warmer than the British preferred temperature of 19.5°C (67.1°F), which emerged from a survey of 2,000 Britons.
And it’s not just experts who have rejected the WHO’s proposed thermostat temperature, with several members of the public flocking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their outrage.
One irate commenter wrote: ‘I set my thermostat temperature based on my preference and that’s my business.’
Heating and health experts have rejected the World Health Organization’s recommendation that people heat their homes to a chilly 18°C (64.4°F). Experts suggest that the temperature should be kept at 20°C (68°F) (file photo)
Social media users have reacted angrily to the WHO’s suggestion, with one commenter saying their thermostat was ‘no one’s business but me’
According to the WHO, a temperature of 18°C is all that is needed for most healthy people who are properly dressed.
The WHO says: ‘The temperature in the home should be high enough to protect residents from the harmful health effects of cold.
‘For countries with temperate or colder climates, 18°C has been suggested as a safe and balanced indoor temperature to protect the health of the general population during cold seasons.’
However, heating experts say this target may be too low for many people to stay comfortable.
Thomas Balogun, founder of property development company Atlantic Edge, told MailOnline: ‘For winter I recommend setting your thermostat to a temperature of 20°C during the day when you are at home and active.’
At night or when you are away, lowering the temperature to around 15-16°C can save energy while keeping your home comfortable.’
Similarly, Matthew Sheeran, a money-saving expert from Money Wellness, told MailOnline: ‘Setting your thermostat to the right temperature is essential to both staying warm and keeping heating costs affordable this winter.
‘We recommend that households set their thermostat to a temperature between 18 and 21°C.’
As energy prices rise, it may be tempting to turn down the heating to save money, but experts warn that maintaining temperatures as low as 18°C (64.4°F) could lead to health complications. This is a special concern for the elderly or vulnerable (file photo)
With energy prices so high, it’s understandable that many people are concerned about turning up the heat.
Until early 2025, gas prices will be limited to 6.24p per kilowatt hour (kWh) and electricity prices to 24.50p per kWh.
According to Mr Sheeran, this brings the average household energy bill to around £1,000 to £1,200 per year.
“But by increasing it just a little bit, the bills start to rise quickly,” he added.
‘At 23 degrees the annual bill is £1,400, rising to £1,600 at 25 degrees and £1,800 at 27 degrees.’
However, health experts warn that despite the higher costs, it’s still important to make sure your home is warm enough.
Thorrun Govind, a pharmacist and health expert, told MailOnline: ‘We are in a cost of living crisis, so I can understand why people are thinking about the temperature to which they heat their homes.’
However, Ms Govind also points out that the elderly and those in poor-quality housing are at particularly high risk of illness from colds.
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Social media users reported experiencing cold hands and uncomfortable homes even at temperatures above WHO’s recommended temperatures
Ms Govind says: ‘In winter there is a higher frequency of circulating infections such as colds and flu, so we need to be very aware of the temperature in the home.
“And if the house is damp and cold, we are at risk of mold, which likely increases the risk of illness and especially asthma.”
In light of these concerns, Ms Govind says 18°C ’may not be the right suggestion for people who are more at risk’.
Ms Govind added: ‘What I would say to people is that 18°C is the minimum.’
Similarly, Tom Edmunds, managing director of thermostat company Wunda, told MailOnline: ‘A study carried out by Public Health Wales found that exposure to temperatures of 18°C or lower at home is associated with negative health effects , so it is generally advisable to set a minimum room temperature of 18°C in rooms where you will be staying for a longer period of time.’
However, Mr Edmunds adds that you should never let even unused rooms get below 13°C (55.4°F) as this significantly increases the risk of mold growth.
The WHO recommendation comes after a survey of 2,000 Britons conducted by LoftZone found that the UK’s preferred temperature is 19.5°C (67.1°F).
On social media, many expressed disagreement with the WHO’s chilly recommendation, complaining that it is far too cold.
Health experts have warned that dropping temperatures too low leads to an increased risk of mold. On
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Another X user joked that there was no chance of keeping humidity at a reasonable level in temperatures below 20°C (68°F).
About We grew up in a cold house and we’re not going back!’
Another added: ‘I set it to about 22 because I feel more comfortable with that. We’re retired, so we’re home all day and it’s on all day.’
While one commenter wrote: ‘The thermostat tells me it’s 18.5 degrees here. My cold hands tell me it’s time to turn on the heat.’
Furthermore, many social media users agreed with the experts who said that a thermostat setting of 18°C is likely to leave their homes damp and moldy.
“I find that keeping temperatures around 21 degrees Celsius is ideal for preventing mold, especially in older, poorly designed British homes,” one commenter wrote.
Another wrote: ‘I’ve noticed that when I turn the thermostat down (about 18 degrees), my house smells noticeably damper than in previous years.’
While one commenter joked: ‘Below 20 degrees Celsius, good luck with reasonable humidity.’