What's the ideal home temperature? A year-round guide

Updated on 25 November 2025 by:

Jessica Rawstron

Smart Energy Engineer, British Gas

It can be tempting to use the heating less or set it to a lower temperature to keep costs down. And while turning down the thermostat might save on your energy bills, it’s also important to stay comfortable and to be aware of the ideal temperature for vulnerable people, like newborn babies and those who are older. Our guide explains the best room temperatures for your home and family.

In this article

• What temperature should my home be?
• What’s the recommended room temperature?
• Ideal room temperature for babies
• Ideal room temperature for the elderly
• Ideal room temperature when pregnant
• Ideal room temperature for sleeping
• What factors affect room temperature?
• Keeping home cool in the summer
• How to heat your home economically
• FAQs

What temperature should my home be?

The Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to the lowest comfortable temperature which, for most people is between 18–20°C.

The ideal indoor temperature will vary by room, depending on what it’s used for and how much time you spend in it, but as a rough guide:

What’s the recommended room temperature? 

The best room temperature will vary depending on the people using that space. A good temperature for a household of healthy adults will be different to the ideal temperature for a home where vulnerable people live.

What’s the ideal room temperature for a baby?

Newborn babies aren’t very good at regulating their temperature¹, so it’s really important that they don’t get too hot or too cold. As well as keeping an eye on the thermostat, you can help by closing the curtains to prevent drafts in winter and to block sunlight in summer. Room temperature is just a guide though; you should check baby’s temperature by feeling their tummy or the back of their neck – but not their hands or feet, which will naturally be cooler.

Overheating can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), so the NHS recommends a room temperature of 16–20°C to keep babies comfortable and safe while sleeping. You shouldn’t need to keep the heating on all night, and using layers of lightweight blankets or a sleeping bag will make it easier to adjust for the room temperature. Never let a baby sleep with a hot water bottle or electric blanket, next to a radiator, heater or fire, or in direct sunshine².

What’s the ideal room temperature for the elderly?

Age UK recommends that people aged 65 and over should heat main living areas to a steady and comfortable temperature, usually around 18°C. This should be comfortable for areas like the living room and bedroom. Switch off or turn down radiators in other rooms that aren’t being used to save on energy costs – but keep doors closed to keep warmth in the areas that are being used. Closing the curtains as soon as it starts to get dark will help trap the heat from radiators inside too.

Ideal room temperature when pregnant 

There is no fixed ideal room temperature for pregnant women, so finding a comfortable balance and not being too hot or too cold is a personal thing. Some women find they feel warmer while pregnant, so may need to turn the thermostat down lower than usual.

Being pregnant during hot weather can be challenging, particularly in a heatwave. Like everyone, drink lots of water to stay hydrated and try running your wrists under a cold tap to cool down. Take things easy too to avoid the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke³.

Ideal room temperature for sleeping

According to The Sleep Charity, the ideal bedroom temperature for sleeping is 16–18°C. Anything over 24°C could be too hot and make you restless, while trying to sleep in a cold room with a temperature below 12°C could make it harder to nod off. As well as checking the room temperature, make sure the room isn’t draughty as that could impact sleep too.

What factors affect room temperature? 

A few different things impact the house temperature you experience indoors. These include:

1. Outdoor temperature. Heat moves from warmer to cooler areas. In winter, heat escapes from inside to out through walls, windows and the roof. Meanwhile, in summer, the warmth from outdoors comes into your home in the same way.

2. Insulation. A well-insulated home helps to keep all the heat you pay for inside your home.

3. Windows. Double or triple glazing can help to keep heat inside for higher room temperatures. The number, size and position of your windows will all impact on indoor room temperatures. For example, large south-facing patio doors will let in more sunlight and warmth than a small window on the opposite side of the house.

4. Humidity. The moisture levels in the air can make a difference to how hot or cold it feels. For example, rooms feel warmer when humidity is high.

5. Ventilation. Damp rooms can feel colder, so proper airflow can help to reduce moisture build-up, preventing condensation, damp and mould.

6. Room size. Smaller rooms will heat up more quickly, so you may need more radiators to heat up larger rooms with high ceilings to the same temperature.

How do I keep my home cool in the summer? 

Air conditioning isn’t yet common in UK homes, but even without it, there are a few things you can do to keep your home cool when a heatwave hits, including:

• Draw curtains or pull blinds down to block direct sunlight
• Keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day, but open them for ventilation when it’s cooler, like in the early morning or evening
• Avoid using the hob, oven and other heat-generating devices during peak heat
• Consider improving your insulation to keep heat out (and in when you want it in winter)
• If you’re not at home during unseasonably warm days, use smart heating controls – like Hive thermostats – to switch off heating or change your schedule from any device.

How to heat your home economically 

Saving energy on your heating bills can help lower your bills – so it’s as good for your purse as it is the planet.

• Embrace smart eco-tech like Hive thermostats to control your heating from wherever you are, and save money by never heating an empty home
• Seal drafts around doors, windows, keyholes and letter boxes to help stop heat escaping
• Improve insulation in walls, lofts and floors to help keep the warmth where you want it
• Turn off or down radiators in empty rooms, and keeps doors closed – and with Hive Radiator Valves, you can do this from your phone, wherever you are
• Dress appropriately – try putting on a jumper or some socks before putting the heating on
• Keep your boiler and heating system well-maintained – our Homecare cover includes an annual service, and thousands of engineers ready to help if something goes wrong
• Zone your heating so that you can control the temperatures in different parts of your home separately

Stay comfortable all year round with British Gas 

Maintaining the ideal indoor temperature not only stops you getting too hot or too cold, but it can save you energy and money. From installing insulation to upgrading your boiler and helping you to take care of it with our HomeCare cover, British Gas can help you keep your house temperature optimised. And with clever eco-tech from our friends at Hive, managing your heating is easier than ever.

Why not try our energy tariff comparison to check if you’re on the best tariff for your home?