Heating: what is the recommended comfort temperature in a house in winter?
The so-called “comfort” temperatures, recommended indoors during the winter, vary according to studies and countries. In France, the Ademe (Agency for the environment and energy management) recommends 19°C to 21°C in occupied living rooms during the daywhen we are in motion, and 22°C in the bathroom when we use it.
Not less than 18°C in any case, estimates the World Health Organization, minimum indoor temperature to protect against the harmful effects of the cold. “The human body must maintain its internal temperature between 36.5°C and 37.2°C,” explains Dr. Faïza Bossy, general practitioner and occupational health specialist. “When it is exposed to cold climates, it sets up compensatory mechanisms to produce heat. This generates additional energy expenditure which can result in fatigue, including intellectual fatigue, and musculoskeletal disorders,” says Dr. Bossy.
What temperature in the room?
At night, the ideal temperature in the bedroom is between 18°C and 19°C to sleep well, according to the National Institute of Sleep and Vigilance, because a slight drop in body temperature promotes falling asleep. “Sleep is more soothing and restorative around 18°C-19°C,” says Dr. Hortense Ducouret, general practitioner.
Why 19°? This value dates from a regulation of the late 1970s. “It had been determined by the Ministry of Housing as thebalance between comfort and energy savings, explains Florence Clément, in charge of information at Ademe. This is not a limit but an average to be maintained in the entire accommodation. The concept of temperature is important but it is not the only criterion which determines comfort. “In a house heated to 20°C but humid or with air infiltration, the feeling is 17°C”, explains Florence Clément, who advises maintaining a humidity between 40% and 60%.
The optimal temperature inside your home varies according to age
Babies up to one year old and adults from 70 years old are considered as more vulnerable to the cold. “The hypothalamus, which controls internal temperature, is not yet mature during the first months of life and ages from a certain age,” explains Dr. Ducouret. These people will find it more difficult to adapt their body temperature to their environment. »
The other criterion is mobility. THE infants and people with reduced activity produce less heat. They therefore suffer more from the cold and the doctor advises them a temperature of 20 °C-21 °C during the day. On the other hand, at night, the thermostat can be lowered to 18°C-19°C, provided that you cover yourself well.
What is the right temperature to have in your home in case of illness?
The ideal temperature in his house will not be the same depending on their state of health. According to Public Health France, theCold promotes respiratory infections as well as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke or stroke (source 1). An involuntary contraction of the blood vessels caused by the cold increases the risk that an atheroma plaque (accumulation of fatty deposits) present on the walls of the arteries will come off. However, we are talking about fairly low temperatures here. “The temperatures that can trigger this type of cardiovascular disease are much lower than 19°C. Must be chronically exposed to temperatures below 12°C », analyse Faïza Bossy.
The two specialists warn, however, thatin case of immunosuppression, chronic unbalanced disease such as a diabetes or a hypertensionor of thyroid disorders, it is necessary to favor a temperature that will not tire the body, around 20 °C-21 °C minimum.
What temperature in teleworking?
When you spend a day “screwed” in your seat, alone in a room in front of your desk, you can quickly get cold at 19°C. “If you don’t move, the temperature in the room must be higher,” says Dr. Bossy.
For office work and seated work, the ideal temperatures in winter, on the physiological level, are thus located between 21°C and 23°C.
occupational health specialist also advises not to skip the breaks. ” It’s necessary move about every hour for 5 to 10 minutes. This means getting up from your desk, walking, doing small movements for the neck and hydrating, ”she recalls.