Healthy Home Series Part 2: What temperature is considered healthy?
Written by Azwood Energy on July 12th, 2021.
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No one likes a cold home. But do you know what temperature is considered healthy? Maybe it's time to readjust those thermostats.
Too Hot
You may think there is no such thing as having your home too hot and although it may feel super cosy there is definitely a downside. A hotter home can cause skin problems, such as eczema, lethargy, poor concentration, disturbed sleep and fatigue.
Too Cold
The average daily indoor temperature in the winter for most New Zealand houses is just 16°C. We have probably all lived in a house this cold at one stage or another but it can cause all kinds of problems to your health.
More than one-third of NZ houses contain mould!
When it's cold, it's damp and if your home's temperature falls below 16°C, the risk of respiratory illness increases. This includes symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Stubborn cough
- breathing noisily
- Lingering chest pain
- Chronic Mucus
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Lung cancer
Just Right
The World Health Organization recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C, and ideally 21°C if babies or elderly people live in the house.Tips
Dress warmly for bed and make sure your bedroom is warm enough - it is very important to stay warm during the night.Block up unused chimneys and stop draughts around doors and windows. You can make your own draught 'snakes' by stuffing rugby socks or pantyhose with newspaper or cushion filling.
Up to 20% of heating can be lost through draughts!
Open windows and curtains on sunny days, and close them when the sun goes down to trap heat in your home. Trim any trees that prevent the sun from entering your house (but if you are renting, remember to ask your landlord first!).
Science Media Centre says " Wood pellet burners are like traditional fireplaces but burn pellets made from compressed wood shavings and sawdust. They are more controllable than traditional fires (and therefore more energy efficient), and they produce less emissions."
Resources:
Ministry of Social Development
Science Media Centre
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