With the winter months rapidly approaching many of us will start to think about when we switch the heating on. Thankfully, experts have now revealed the ideal minimum temperature to heat your home to.
It comes as the Met Office has revealed temperatures are expected to drop this week, signalling the end of an “Indian summer” that hit the UK in recent weeks, reports MirrorOnline. The national weather forecaster said that Saturday will feel significantly chillier, with temperatures falling below the average for this time of year.
Britons are also being warned to keep their brollies at hand, with rain showers expected to hit this weekend. Especially in the north where prolonged showers are expected.
The Met Office says weather is likely to be “changeable” in the coming days. There is even a risk of overnight frost in some areas.
According to the NHS, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Age UK, you should heat your home to at least 18C to protect against the cold. This is particularly the case if you are not very mobile, are aged 65 or over, or you have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease.
Keeping heated over the winter months can help stave off nasty illnesses such as cold and flu. But it also helps fight against more serious problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
The NHS says your home should be kept at a comfortable temperature – which ideally is a minimum of 18C in the rooms you use most regularly, such as your lounge or bedroom. The health service adds that families with babies should heat rooms between 16C and 20C while they sleep to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
With the cost of living leaving many households feeling the pinch, there are some simply changes you can make to keep your home warm. This includes drawing your curtains at dusk and keeping doors closed – fitting draught excluders is a relatively cheap and easy way to lock in heat in your home.
You should also make sure you keep your bedroom windows closed at night and wear several thinner layers, this will be warmer than a single thick layer. Getting plenty to eat and having hot drinks will also help keep your body temperature up so you don’t have to reach for the thermostat quite as much.
