Why Is Home Temperature So Important?
You may not realize just how much time you spend in your home, but it’s quite a bit. In general, we spend about 90 percent of our days indoors, and most of that is probably at home. So it’s essential that the conditions inside your home are optimal. This includes the temperature, which has a much bigger impact on your day-to-day life than you may think. It’s also something you have to monitor quite carefully, as just a few degrees can make all the difference. Read on below to find out more about the importance of having the right home temperature.
Improves Your In-Home Comfort
Since you spend so much time at home, you want the indoor conditions to be optimal. The best temperature will make your home as comfortable as possible. You don’t want anyone to be shivering or in danger of overheating. This includes checking whether some rooms are or should be cooler or warmer than others.
Impacts Health
Again, since we spend so much time indoors, making sure the indoor conditions are as healthy as possible is very important. This includes the temperature, as there is actually scientific evidence that certain temperatures can be hazardous for your health. For instance, having your home temperature be too cold can lead to the risk of respiratory illnesses.
Your home temperature is something you need to pay especially close attention to if there are any elderly people or babies in the house. Home temperatures that are too cold can be physiologically stressful to them and to anyone who’s sick. Babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature, and this may be difficult for elderly or ill people to do as well.
In addition to what temperature you set for your home, you should also remember to dress accordingly for the seasons and temperatures.
If You Have Pets
You also want to be sure to monitor how your home temperature affects your household pets. Too warm or too cool temperatures can impact their health too, so be careful. It’s important to make sure your furry friends have optimal conditions as well.
The kind of pets in your home also make a difference. If you have lizards, iguanas, birds, or fish, they need extra heat. But if you have cats or dogs, you don’t want them to be too warm. You can talk to a vet about what the best home temperature conditions are.
Moisture, Dampness, and Mold
The average person already does things every day that adds moisture to the home. This includes showering, bathing, cooking, and laundry. And, unfortunately, that moisture can stick on surfaces. The temperature in your home can aggravate that.
Home temperatures that are too cold can lead to dampness and end up causing mold. The dampness and mold growth can cause respiratory symptoms. Especially if someone in your home already has respiratory problems, such as asthma. Mold will aggravate those health issues. And while most mold is non-toxic, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If your home has poor ventilation, mold growth will be even worse.
When your home is too hot, it can get humid. And that humidity can cause moisture to affect your drywall, doors, and windows.
Can Cost or Save Money
Heating your house to temperatures that are too high will just waste energy and increase your heating bills. When you turn the thermostat down, even just a little, it can make a difference. Making the house too cool can also cause your bills to go up.
It’s important to pay attention to your home temperature when you’re out too. You don’t want to waste energy when the house is empty. So before you leave the house, turn up the temperature a bit in the summer and turn it down a little in the winter.
Affects Your Sleep
When your bedroom is at the right temperature, it makes it much easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. No one wants to wake up in the middle of the night sweating or shivering. You should usually change the temperature when you’re about to go to bed. Think about taking it down a couple of degrees to be just a little cooler, which will make your body know it’s time for bed. If the temperature is too high, it might make your body more restless. And lowering the temperature at night also helps to cut your bills. In general, the best temperature for night is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, you can test different temperatures to see what works best for you and the others in your house.
How Can You Improve Home Temperature?
If you find that your home has issues getting to or staying at your ideal temperature, it may be time for an upgrade. Perhaps your HVAC unit is older and it’s time to install a newer, more-efficient one. Another option could be that your unit is actually not the right size for your home, which is a more common issue than people realize. A unit that’s too large for your home can wind up costing you more in energy costs. A smaller unit, on the other hand, may be more effective and also use less energy than the unit you have currently.
You might not necessarily need to replace the HVAC unit though. Making sure your home is well insulated will also help. Another option is to get a smart or programmable thermostat installed, which will give you more control over the home temperature. These types of thermostats are especially great for setting a different temperature when everyone is out of the house.
Now that you know how important home temperature is, you’ll want to make sure it stays under control. Hopefully, you now understand how the right temperature will make everyone in your home more comfortable and healthier. Regular cleaning and annual professional service will make you’re your heating and cooling system runs as efficiently as possible. For the best service that will keep your home temperature in check, turn to us at Entek. We have the experience and expertise to provide the best service in the Pacific Northwest. You can find more information on our website.