What temperature is healthy at home? WHO and expert guidelines

18 degrees C as a minimum

World Health Organization specialists have been analyzing the impact of housing conditions on health for years. As the Health Service of the Polish Press Agency points out, one of the key questions they tried to answer was: are people living in houses where the temperature drops below 18 degrees Celsius more vulnerable to health problems than those who keep their homes at least 18 degrees Celsius?

According to available data, no increased health risk has been observed among adults leading a sedentary lifestyle in the temperature range of 18-24 degrees Celsius. However, experts emphasize that below 18 degrees there is an increased risk of it having a negative impact on health. For this reason, 18 degrees Celsius is considered a generally accepted minimum - emphasizes the PAP Health Service.

Different requirements for sensitive groups

The situation is slightly different in the case of people who are particularly sensitive to temperature. Children, seniors and people suffering from chronic diseases - especially respiratory diseases - may need a higher temperature at home.

In their case, it is recommended that the temperature does not fall below 20 degrees, and may even be slightly higher. It should be adjusted depending on your individual health needs.

When is the temperature too high?

Too high a temperature at home can be bothersome. Importantly, this is not a problem that occurs only in summer, because in winter many people overheat their apartments. WHO experts looked at the issue of whether living in rooms where the temperature exceeds 24 degrees Celsius may be harmful to health.

As the website emphasizes, available research does not clearly indicate the upper safe limit, but suggests that values ​​above 24-27 degrees Celsius may negatively affect well-being and health. For example, research from the USA cited by the portal showed that limiting the number of days with temperatures above 27 degrees Celsius improved the quality of life and reduced the level of stress in participants.

Effects of too low a temperature

Too cold apartments can lead to a number of health problems. Experts warn that too low a temperature at home can have serious consequences, especially for the elderly and children. Living in a cold environment has already been linked to, among others, with worsening asthma symptoms.

Poorly heated houses, especially in winter, have an impact on health. There are also problems with the respiratory and circulatory systems. Respiratory tract infections are more common in children.

How does temperature affect health?

In one study conducted by scientists from Japan, older people stayed in rooms where the temperature was raised to 24 degrees Celsius. The results showed a clear drop in blood pressure, which may be important in preventing cardiovascular problems in winter.

However, a study by German scientists showed that older women staying in colder conditions (15 degrees C) had worse results in physical fitness tests, such as the speed of standing up or step length. This means that too low a temperature may limit the independence of seniors.

How many degrees in your home are really healthy?

Discussions about "healthy" temperature at home also appear in the public debate. Zdrowie PAP website pointed out that two years ago, the Minister of Climate suggested that 17 degrees C was enough in common spaces, and 19 degrees C in more frequently used rooms. However, available research and WHO guidelines indicate that for health safety, most people should maintain at least 18 degrees C at home, and in the case of children, the elderly and chronically ill, even slightly more.