As temperatures drop, the temptation to whack on the heating only grows - but what temperature should your house actually be?

You might be surprised to hear that there's an optimum temperature for your house - and the ideal conditions actually differ between your bedroom and living space. 

In fact, our central heating can have a considerable impact on our health which goes beyond the struggle of keeping warm in winter - especially for those with existing health conditions.

With more and more of us giving in and turning up the heating this winter, a GP has issued a warning to Brits about not turning their thermostats above these temperatures. 

Doctor, Dr Neel Patel (GMC: 7085151) has warned that turning up your central heating could be bad for your health, as well as your bank balance. 

What temperature should my bedroom be?

Dr Patel has explained that the optimum temperature for your bedrooms is around 18°C, according to the NHS's recommended room temperature.

What temperature should my living room be?

Meanwhile, the temperature in your living room can be slightly higher.

Dr Patel says that  21°C is ideal for living rooms.

The health expert also added that heating your rooms above these NHS-recommended temperatures could exacerbate seven health conditions including asthma, migraines and allergies. 

7 health conditions that can be triggered when your heating is too high

Asthma

“Central heating can make the air inside our homes very dry," according to Dr Patel.

He added: "This can cause lung conditions like asthma to flare up. You may find the dry air triggers coughing and shortness of breath.” 

Sinus infections

“The dry atmosphere can also lead to sinus infections as the air dries out the layer of mucus lining your nose, leading to blocked sinuses," the Doctor commented.

Allergies

Dr Patel continued: “As radiators heat the air in a room, a process known as convection is produced. This causes dust to circulate around the room which can trigger allergies.”

Headaches and migraines 

“Although dehydration is something we usually associate with summer, it is easy to become dehydrated when in a centrally heated environment all day," the health professional advised.

He went on to say:"This can lead to headaches and even migraines if you’re prone to them.”

Skin conditions

“If you have eczema or dry, sensitive skin, you may notice it’s worse in winter, " according to the LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.

The reason for this is central heating dries out the air and reduces humidity which can trigger eczema and skin irritation.”

Itchy eyes

“The dry air can cause your tears to evaporate too quickly, making your eyes feel gritty, dry and itchy," the Doctor explained.

Recommended reading

  • Is it cheaper to leave your heating on all day?
  • Why condensation is forming on your windows and how to stop it

Nosebleeds 

“You may also find you get more nosebleeds in the winter months," the health expert said.

"Again, this is due to the lack of moisture in the air which can result in dryness and scabs inside your nostrils.”