Experts SLAM the World Health Organisation’s recommendation to set your house thermostat at 18°C – and demand your home must be at the very least 20°C to maintain you heat this winter
As temperatures begin to fall across the UK, many of us will soon be considering turning up the thermostat.
But with the cost of energy at an eye-watering high, nobody wants to waste a penny on unnecessary heating.
The World Health Organisation‘s (WHO) recommended temperature for your home is a chilly 18°C (64.4°F).
However, experts have slammed the global health body’s recommendation, saying this could lead to illness and poor health.
In order to stay warm and safe this winter, health experts instead say the thermostat should be set to at least 20°C (68°F).
That’s just slightly warmer than the UK’s preferred temperature of 19.5°C (67.1°F), which was revealed in a survey of 2,000 Britons.
And it’s not just experts who have slammed the WHO’s suggested thermostat temperature, with several members of the public flocking to X (formerly Twitter) to express their outrage.
One enraged commenter wrote: ‘I’ll determine the temperature I want my thermostat based on my preference and it’s no one’s business but me.’
Heating and health experts have slammed the World Health Organisation’s recommendation that people heat their homes to a chilly 18°C (64.4°F). Experts suggest that temperatures should be kept at 20°C (68°F) (file photo)
Social media users have reacted with fury to the WHO’s suggestion with one commenter saying that 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 dressed appropriately.
The WHO says: ‘Indoor housing temperatures 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 proposed as a safe and well-balanced indoor temperature to protect the health of general populations during cold seasons.’
However, heating experts say that this target might be too low for many people to remain comfortable.
Thomas Balogun, founder of property development firm Atlantic Edge, told MailOnline: ‘For winter, I would recommend setting your thermostat between 20°C (68°F) during the day when you’re home and active.’
‘At night or when you’re away, lowering it to around 60-62°F (15-16°C) can save energy while keeping your home comfortable.’
Likewise, Matthew Sheeran, a money-saving expert from Money Wellness, told MailOnline: ‘Setting your thermostat at the right temperature is essential to both keeping warm and keeping heating bills being affordable this winter.
‘We recommend households set their thermostat to between 18-21°C (64.4-70°F).’
As energy prices rise it might be tempting to turn down the heating to save money, but experts warn that keeping the temperature at just 18°C (64.4°F) could lead to health complications. This is a particular worry for those who are elderly or vulnerable (file photo)
With energy prices so high, it is understandable that many people might be concerned about cranking up the heat.
Until the start of 2025, gas prices will be capped at 6.24p per kilowatt hour (kWh), and electricity at 24.50p per kWh.
According to Mr Sheeran, that puts the average household energy bill at around £1,000 and £1,200 a year.
‘But by increasing it just slightly bills quickly start to rise,’ he added.
‘At 23 degrees the annual bill hits £1,400, increasing to £1,600 at 25 degrees and £1,800 at 27 degrees.’
However, health experts warn that it is still important to make sure your house is warm enough – despite the increased costs.
Thorrun Govind, a pharmacist and health expert, told MailOnline: ‘We are in a cost of living crisis so I can understand why people might be considering the temperature to which they are heating their homes.’
However, Ms Govind also points out that older people and those in poor-quality housing are at particularly high risk of illness due to cold.
On X, one commenter said they ‘don’t know how anyone could bear’ the temperature recommended by the WHO
Social media users that even at levels above temperatures recommended by the WHO they suffered from cold hands and uncomfortable homes
Ms Govind says: ‘In winter time, there is a higher frequency of circulating infections like colds and flu so we’ve got to be very mindful of the temperature we are in the house.
‘And, if the house is damp and cold, we’ve got a risk of mould which is likely to increase the risk of illness and especially asthma.’
In light of these concerns, Ms Govind says that 18°C ‘might not be the right suggestion for people who are more at risk’.
Ms Govind adds: ‘What I would say to people is that 18°C is the minimum.’
Likewise, Tom Edmunds, General Manager of thermostat company Wunda, told MailOnline: ‘A study conducted by Public Health Wales found that exposure to temperatures of 18°C or below at home were associated with negative effects on health, so it is generally advisable to set a minimum room temperature of 18°C in rooms you spend extended periods of time in.’
However, Mr Edmunds adds that you should not let even unused rooms ever fall below 13°C (55.4°F) as this significantly increases the risk of mould growth.
The WHO’s recommendation comes as a study 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 their disagreement with the WHO’s chilly recommendation, complaining that it is far too cold.
Health experts have warned that letting temperatures fall too low leads to an increased risk of mould. On X, one commenter said they found 21°C (70°C) to be ideal for keeping mould at bay
On X user complained that their home smelled damp with the thermostat set to 18°C (64.4°F)
Another X user joked that there was no chance of keeping humidity at a reasonable level with temperatures below 20°C (68°F)
On X, one commenter wrote: ‘I honestly don’t know how anyone could bear under 20. Grew up in a cold house and we are not going back!’
Another added: ‘I set it about 22 because I am more comfortable at that. We are retired so at home all day and it is on all day.’
While one commenter wrote: ‘Thermostat is telling me it’s 18.5 degrees in here. My cold hands are telling me it’s time to put the heating on.’
Additionally, many social media users agreed with the experts saying that a thermostat setting of 18°C was likely to leave their homes damp and mouldy.
‘I find that keeping the temperature around 21C is ideal for preventing mould, especially in older poorly designed British homes,’ wrote one commenter.
Another wrote: ‘I’ve noticed that having the thermostat turned lower (about 18 degrees), my house smells noticeably more damp than in previous years.’
While one commenter joked: ‘Below 20C – good luck with reasonable humidity level.’
