How cold is ‘too cold’ for a house?

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

“I’ve developed some kind of illness likely due to it” Ffs you can’t actually be serious

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People who are not sensitive to cold and naturally produce more heat just don't get it. Low body temperature predisposes to catching viruses. I also find it hard to warm up after being cold as I don't produce much heat most of the time. Stop invalidating other people's perspective just because it is no issue for you. I feel you OP if I am freezing outside and inside I would be miserable and ill.

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Put a jumper on ffs

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poofypie384@reddit

sub-OP is correct. its all about CORE body temp.. if someone is slim and from a non northern country, a short amount of time could in theory be enough to allow a virus to win over the system

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sammy_zammy@reddit

You’re not getting ill from a few days of room temperature being 17. 17 is a perfectly normal room temperature. That’s not denying that it’s too cold for some, and it’s perfectly okay that OP would have liked to have been warmer. No one is being invalidated. But they’re just looking for a reason to justify their upset by saying it caused their illness.

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

I can be serious. We’re outdoors people, we were out getting cold and wet on runs etc. so not being able to warm up indoors in the evenings likely didn’t help.

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Ahhh yes it’s the 17C house that did it, not the run outside in the rain without adequate kit on. Genius.

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

How do you know what kit I was wearing?

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Because if you were dressed appropriately for the run you wouldn’t need to spend the evening warming up inside…

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

What’s the longest run you’ve done? I guarantee after the 2-3 hour mark you’ll want warming up regardless of your kit. Yes good kit matters, but no-ones warm at the end of a winter run

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Well then if you’re adamant that there is no way to stay warm running then maybe don’t do it if it makes you ill? This is like asking “did I break both of my legs by jumping off a multi-storey car park, or because my friend made me walk down their stairs?”.

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

My point is that usually you warm back up after a run… And answer the question- what’s the longest run you have ever done?

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

4h 15 why?

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

4h 15? What distance was that? I’m assuming we’re talking about 50k+ then? And I want to know because you’re talking about getting warm on a run etc. so I want to know what your experience is.

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

100k

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

Yeah nice one- you’re not running 100k in 4h 15. What distance did you run?

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Rattled

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

Not really rattled, it’s just by the sounds of it you’ve never ran in your life

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Have you considered simply just being a better runner and not going so slowly?

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

Come run a 100 miler with me then

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

After 5k you’d be too cold though

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

We’ll do it somewhere warm like Reading then

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Further proof you don’t understand temperatures

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

How? Reading is a rather warm place mate

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Not really it’s 5C currently

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RBisoldandtired@reddit

Imagine how sick they’d get being exposed to 5° when they can’t warm up in 17° 😂 OPs just a fucking melon hahahaha

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RBisoldandtired@reddit

wtf is wrong with you 😂😂😂😂

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

I run 100 milers, everything is wrong with me 😂😂

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RBisoldandtired@reddit

Aye. Hypochondria and attention seeking being the two main things.

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

You’re a 60 year old neckbeard sitting in your mum’s gaff posting youtube vids about a video game. I’ll take hypochondria

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BumblebeeNo6356@reddit

Have a warm shower and put on a jumper, it’s more likely you got ill from being outside.

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solaris_j@reddit

People who are not sensitive to cold and naturally produce more heat just don't get it. Low body temperature predisposes to catching viruses. I also find it hard to warm up after being cold as I don't produce much heat most of the time. Stop invalidating other people's perspective just because it is no issue for you. I feel you OP if I am freezing outside and inside I would be miserable and ill.

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

That’s what I’m doing now I’m home

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Willeth@reddit

You're not developing any illness from it being 17°C, don't be silly. But this isn't about cold or not, it's an interpersonal thing. If you can't tolerate it he should be compromising, not just putting his foot down. And I say that as someone who keeps his flat colder than your friend.

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RecentTwo544@reddit

Without wanting to be all "ACSCHUTALLY..." (though I am going to) - While you're right, and I was going to mention to OP too that illness isn't caused by "cold", and 17c isn't that cold anyway (I personally find it freezing, but it isn't like -7c or something) if a house is too cool/cold it can get damp much more easily, and that can exacerbate or cause respiratory illness.

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Relevant_Natural3471@reddit

not over a weekend, mind.

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RecentTwo544@reddit

OP said they were there for a week. If the house is damp and they coincidentally had a cold anyway, that would definitely make it worse. Plus in any case, having a bug/cold feels so much more shitty if you're having to put up with a cold house and shivering.

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Relevant_Natural3471@reddit

No healthy human should be 'shivering' at 17. Equally, a damp house would cost an absolute fortune to get to 17 degree if it was to that extent. They wouldn't be able to step outside without dropping dead if 17 degrees caused that effect on them, so it makes you wonder if they are wandering around in shorts and t-shirts in December expecting someone to pump the heating up for it. At 17 degree you'd be sweating in a hoody blanket or dressing gown I bet

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poofypie384@reddit

you might be right but it depends.. is an elderly person automatically unhealthy? all professional government scientists recommend 18c as room temp minimum for health. years ago in the uk 19.5c was average. his friend is being cheap. That said, if you are from africa or some hot place then i would imagine 17c is cold

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IrrelevantPiglet@reddit

Damp is caused by poor ventilation, not by cold. A damp house will feel colder and the heating won’t work as efficiently, but it’s not the temperature itself that’s to blame. Warm air holds more humidity than cold air does.

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peppermint_aero@reddit

Lots of chronic conditions are also flared up by cold or hot temperatures. Not what the OP is implying but still

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FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

Plenty of people have health conditions that are exacerbated by temperatures lower than recommended - that is lower than 18˚C-21˚C. People with respiratory problems and arthritis are particularly prone to this. There are also specific conditions like Reynaud's condition or disease which makes people unusually sensitive to cold, so that it is painful for their hands and legs to be cold.

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ChickenTikkaMasalla_@reddit

Yeah because 1C less than recommended is going to suddenly trigger a myriad if health conditions.

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AlertWorldliness2238@reddit

I have raynauds, I can cope if my house is 17 degrees.

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sammy_zammy@reddit

Well if that’s the case OP should have mentioned it.

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MossTrinkets@reddit

Tbf the official advice is that downstairs should be at least 21 and upstairs 18, because wide scale studies show that houses kept colder than this are associated with higher levels of illness (especially in children). So while I agree they haven't been made ill by the temperature, in general terms, it has an impact (my guess is because colder houses are damper houses and therefore more likely to be moldy)

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BumblebeeNo6356@reddit

Mould doesn’t like the cold

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Madas91@reddit

But it really likes warm and humid...

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BumblebeeNo6356@reddit

Yeah it loves that.

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MossTrinkets@reddit

Tell that to the thriving mycelium network in every cold and damp property I've ever rented

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Regular_Zombie@reddit

You should provide a link if you're going to refer to 'official advice'. As far as I know there is no legislative guidance (thankfully) but a [study](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c5986f8ed915d045f3778a9/Min_temp_threshold_for_homes_in_winter.pdf) from Public Health England suggests keeping indoor temperatures above 18C for healthy adults.

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MossTrinkets@reddit

Yeah that one says 21 for living rooms

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RustyGingersnap@reddit

I rarely feel the cold so I generally put mine at 15-16oC and off at night. But as soon as someone is coming around I put up to 19-20oC coz I appreciate that I’m weird and most people would be cold at 16oC.

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flaninacupboard2@reddit

And I’m cold at 20, our upstairs is set for 23.

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cann-i-say@reddit

>How cold is ‘too cold’ for a house? There is no universal answer. Everyone has a different comfort level. As you've seen just from staying with your friend. >This isn’t about being tight- he has money. It's about what he prefers with it being his home. >I need to know if I’m just being particular as he’s told me I was just being ridiculous. You being cold isn't ridiculous but there is no uniform temperature that works for everyone. Working in an office has taught me that it's a constant bone of contention. >What is ‘too cold’ in a house? And am I just being dramatic? There is no universal answer.

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evolutionIsScary@reddit

I hate the cold but over the last few days the inside of my house has been 12ºC or less. It had been 14ºC for months before that. The trick is to wear lots of clothing, including a hat and scarf. And if you sit at a computer in the daytime, as I do, put a hot water bottle in your lap and wrap yourself in blankets. I'm going to resist turning on the heating for as long as possible. I thought I would have to do that today but the sunshine has warmed things up to a comfortable 13ºC.

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steppenwolf666@reddit

> nd if you sit at a computer in the daytime, as I do, put a hot water bottle in your lap and wrap yourself in blankets And fingermitt for mouse hand And you have, ofc, a 170w far infrared panel heater

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sammy_zammy@reddit

…toasty!

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bobbigmac@reddit

Northerner too, I'm fine at 17, but prefer 19.5 to keep my joints flexible. Anything above 13 I'm comfortable enough but recognize it's pretty rude to expect guests to be comfortable in anything less than 20.

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RBisoldandtired@reddit

“I have developed an illness” Is it daftcuntitis? lol You are being very dramatic.

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theslowrunningexpert@reddit (OP)

You play fallout, I’m not taking insults from someone under the age of 25

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sammy_zammy@reddit

Ooooh get a load of this guy

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Montymum@reddit

It pisses me off no end when someone invites you to their house and it’s freezing. The least you can do is make it warm for your guests.

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sammy_zammy@reddit

Rather than being pissed off why not just ask if they’d mind putting the heating on?

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Montymum@reddit

Gee thanks I’d never have thought of that …

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RecentTwo544@reddit

22/23 for me. Mad I know, but I'd rather go without food or water than be cold.

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burner120120@reddit

Welcome to the U.K., I’m not sure why but people seem to be obsessed with showing they can handle the cold.

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PurpleOctopus6789@reddit

this. it's so weird. It's one thing if it's about money, but it's usually middle class folks that take this weird pride in how cold they keep their house. I work from home, I am so not going to shiver all day just to prove how cold I can handle my house to be. I'd rather be comfortable.

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burner120120@reddit

Yup! It’s often the middle class, their houses will be FREEZING! I like my home warm enough to wear a t shirt and be cosy tbh. 18-22 if needed - ideally with a window open every now and then to keep things fresh but obvs that’s imsane

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SeasonEquivalent3615@reddit

I've never observed that personally. On the internet at least, any mention of being hot/cold brings the Americans out of the woodwork who tell you they're from Arizona/Alaska and you don't know the meaning of hot/cold.

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Mitzy-is-missing@reddit

Same here. I have to heat my living space to 22/23 to feel comfortable. When it gets to 18 or below, my body literally shuts down and I can only sit huddled in a chair next to a radiator and two hot water bottles around my body. But I don’t think it’s mad in any way. Just like 17 degrees isn’t mad for some people. People’s comfort temperatures vary; it’s a fact. According to Chat GPT most people feel comfortable in a living room that’s 21-22 degrees.

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SignatureFull5096@reddit

i’m the same any colder i’m too cold and i refuse to be cold in my own home

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Confudled_Contractor@reddit

Houses in the UK are designed to be at 21 degC which average Human Comfort level (obviously tastes differ). Higher costs usually comes with costs, lower increases the risk of condensation and all that comes with it (molds).

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QueefInMyKisser@reddit

It’s obviously not true, my house was designed well before central heating was a thing, and not all rooms even have a fireplace.

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Confudled_Contractor@reddit

Yes I wrote a thesis covering all building throughout time. Muppet. 🤦‍♂️ Modern design is based upon historic lessons and physics hasn’t changed. You’re house will nonetheless have significant mass from its walls which will hold the heat if given it ergo why you don’t have a fireplace in Every room.

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AskUK-ModTeam@reddit

Don't be a dick to each other, or other subreddits, places, or people. Don't be a dick to each other, or other subreddits, places, or people. AskUK contains a variety of ages, experiences, and backgrounds - consider not everyone is operating on the same level or background as you. Listen to others before you respond, and be courteous when doing so.

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sammy_zammy@reddit

I don’t think they’re a muppet for not reading your mind, and knowing that you only meant specific UK houses when you said “houses in the UK”… Anyway, I’m curious about the thermostat thing. My thermostat is in the slightly draughty hall. Therefore I set it at 17, as the hall struggles to reach 18, and so the heating won’t cut out - meanwhile other rooms get boiling. Is there a more efficient way of achieving a consistent comfortable temperature?

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Confudled_Contractor@reddit

They are, it was obvious. 😉 Yes you need to balance your radiators to the situation you have and set the heating water temp on the boiler correctly, usually 55C autumn chill, 65C winter cold; although this could be colder if you are experiencing too much heat. My place is similar, so the rads that fill first (3x in GF lounge + 2x in GF kitchen, directly below boiler) get their thermostatic and stop valves set lowest and so on throughout the house until I get to the end of the loop which will have valves set more open. Once the rads are balanced you might found that you can reduce the temp on the boiler further. I’d also suggest you look at WiFi rad control systems, I don’t have one but a few friends do and have found balance room temps out much easier. Obviously they’re not cheap.

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Waffle0calypse@reddit

Well, his house, his money. … But if you have a guest over and they’re uncomfortable that’s just rude.

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greenhairdontcare8@reddit

Yeah, I usually have the heating come on if it's below 17 if its just me, but I always put it on properly when I have guests.

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anabsentfriend@reddit

Mine's on at 19

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External-Piccolo-626@reddit

‘This isn’t about being tight - he has money’ That’s sort of the perfect example of being tight. Has it, doesn’t want to spend it, if you said they didn’t have the money then that’s not tight.

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RBisoldandtired@reddit

Or just doesn’t feel the cold and 17° is definitely warm enough. Imagine going outside when it’s 17° and declaring “it’s fucking freezing. This is going to make me ill”

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Outrageous_Tailor728@reddit

I keep my house at 18c, but 17 is fixable with a few more layers and moving around. I use a skipping rope when working from home.

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Princes_Slayer@reddit

I’m in the north. 17C is my default minimum temperature from 5:30am until 10pm, after which it drops to a minimum of 14C for sleeping. In the spring I change my default to be 14C minimum all day and night

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PurpleOctopus6789@reddit

anything where I am cold while wearing a hoodie. I tend to get cold rather quickly so even with heaters on and the house being 21-23, I tend to wear a hoodie. I keep my house nice and toasty, I am not going to be cold in my own house. If I am cold despite wearing a hoodie, it's way too cold and I would absolutely not stand for it. BUT, 17-18 is perfect for sleeping. Also, you don't get an illness from cold but your immunity could suffer and you can develop a cold that you've been exposed to elsewhere. Ultimately, 17 degrees in a house is absurdly low during the day and I would not have it but many people have this weird pride about keeping their house as cold as they can which is weird.

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GlumAdhesiveness9129@reddit

I once lived in a bedsit where each morning in the winter I had to scrape the ice off the inside of the windows. Check my thermostat, it's 8.5 degrees. But I'm wearing several layers, the back door is open so the dogs and cats can come and go and I'm fine. Later on I'll close the door and start a heating fan. I like the cold.

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Annual_History_796@reddit

The actual fuck

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GlumAdhesiveness9129@reddit

Worry not - it's now 9 degrees :) I genuinely do not like feeling hot. My late wife could sit in front of a roaring fire and absorb the heat and love it. I hate direct heat or feeling warm when I cannot control it. I have many throws and my pets burrow their way into them. I use layers. We good.

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TobsterVictorSierra@reddit

16°C night time, otherwise 19 + number of decades over 40 the oldest person in the building is °C.

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Arnoave@reddit

I keep my house at 19, anything more is too hot. I waited until November before putting it on this year and I would say that by the time it reached 14c I was starting to feel it in "jumpers and hot drinks won't solve this" kind of way.

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Theresanrrrrrr@reddit

The important temperature is what temp will pipes freeze??

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PracticeNo8733@reddit

Mine is around 13C to 14C right now and I'm still sticking it out. But I like it colder than most anyway plus I'm using "heat the person" techniques. I do run dehumidifiers which put out a little heat as well as preventing dampness (combined with pulse ventilation and the house still being warmer than outside).

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niversalite@reddit

Is this a masochistic thing or a financial thing?

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PracticeNo8733@reddit

I really don't mind the cold very much - 16C is "perfectly comfortable" territory for me. I'm trying to be efficient but I'm not poor so I guess leaning on the masochism side? (Also I think being in a too well heated house most of the time in winter can mean you don't adapt as well to the colder outside temperatures.)

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niversalite@reddit

It was the use of the phrase ‘stick it out’, like you’re trying to achieve some aim, that confused me.

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PracticeNo8733@reddit

Oh, I guess I'm kinda seeing how far into the year I can get. Though I did have it on for a few days during that cold snap a few weeks ago.

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je_m_appelle_@reddit

21 minimum in here, happy to turn up to 25 whilst the open fire warms up, I work too hard to be cold in my own home

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Cool-Discussion-8792@reddit

-2 lol

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MsAndrea2@reddit

I set the heating for 14 degrees overnight, and 18 through the day, when I'm working from home usually sat up in bed. The living room goes to about 20—23 on an evening with the gas fire on. You shouldn't need much heating overnight, but I'd still have it coming on sporadically. Is that the time that's the problem?

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Remote-Pool7787@reddit

Anything over 18 is uncomfortably warm

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sammy_zammy@reddit

Some just don’t feel the cold. That’s all there is to it. Also, it could be due to thermostat location - if it’s in a part of the house which is colder than the rest, you want the thermostat to be set lower than what would be a comfortable temperature in the rest of the house. The opposite of it’s right above a radiator. I do think it’s nice to stick the heating on a bit more to accommodate guests. That said, there’s no need to have the heating on at night.

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urlackofaithdisturbs@reddit

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c5986f8ed915d045f3778a9/Min_temp_threshold_for_homes_in_winter.pdf Negative health effects kick in at 18C and below. Britain’s cultural obsession with saving money on heating kills more people per head than America’s cultural obsession with guns, but it doesn’t get the same bad press.

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Bloatville@reddit

Does it really? That's mad, I had no idea. Is there stats for how many people die from cold here? I'd love to show it to my parents 😂

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sammy_zammy@reddit

From that document: > The 18°C (65F) threshold also applies to healthy people (1 - 64)*. If they are wearing appropriate clothing and are active, they may wish to heat their homes to slightly less than 18°C (65F) > >Overnight, the 18°C (65F) threshold may be less important for healthy people (1 - 64)* if they have sufficient bedding, clothing and use thermal blankets or heating aids as appropriate. Yes, of course consistently having your home too cold increases risk of illness, but in healthy individuals, it is not unreasonable to have your home cooler than 18oC. There is especially the case overnight, which OP specifically mentioned. The assumption of OP that they got ill purely because they stayed in a home that was heated to 17oC for just a few nights, when we’re literally in flu season and they’re probably walking past tens of ill people per day, is incredibly silly.

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No_Preference9093@reddit

I used to have it at 18, partner moved in with me and now it’s at 19. I think she’d rather 20 really but that’s too much for me. Less than about 16 and I’d be worrying about damp.

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Bloatville@reddit

Username does not check out

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Impossible_Volume811@reddit

Anything above freezing is fine if you’re dressed for it and not sitting still too long. But then I’m part Scandinavian and I grew up in a cold, draughty house. Sheepskin slipper boots, thick wool trousers, three layers on top and a warm hat. And keep drinking hot tea. You could also do ostentatious lunges and other warming exercises at his place. I like a cold room for sleeping. But you need a warm duvet _under your sheet_ to lay on. That way you’re not losing heat to warm the mattress. A fleece blanket between you and the duvet above feels cosy to get into and you can tuck it around your feet. Or wear thick, loose woollen sleeping socks.

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LadyNajaGirl@reddit

I might not be the right person to ask as I’m always cold (I have a medical condition). My perfect indoor temperature is 22°c. The first thing I do when I wake up is put the heating on as it will be 17°c and too cold for me. I think for most people, 19°c-20°c is a good balance?

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Thislsnotmythrowaway@reddit

Have mine at 18 usually 17 while I sleep, though my nest thermostat has stopped working and it's been stuck at 19 for the last month and it's too goddamn hot

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Overgrown_fetus1305@reddit

For me sub 17C indoors for a substantial period is too cold, 18-18.5C outisde of summer is about right. When I'm adjusted to the heat, I want it somewhere between 23-24.5C. But I generally tend to be quite good with the cold, and also adjust quickly both ways.

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spynie55@reddit

20 is comfortable for sitting, talking and watching TV. I like to sleep in a cooler room- heating goes off when everyone goes to bed so I’ve no idea what it drops to, it’s fine under the duvet. There isn’t ice on the inside of the window like when I was a boy and we had single glazing.

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the_topiary@reddit

I heat the house to 14° while I'm at work, and overnight. When I'm in, it's 16.5 or 17°. The house is old, draughty and is poorly insulated so it's a waste of money heating it more. I have the fire lit in the living room and there are electric blankets in the beds, and that's plenty.

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Least_Temperature_23@reddit

It’s very rude to not turn the heating up if you have visitors, especially when a guest has told you they’re cold!

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BumblebeeNo6356@reddit

It does depend, if the visitor is sat in a T-shirt asking for the heating to be turned up then I’ll get them a jumper.

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envious_coward@reddit

Some people are extremely performative about turning their heating on. Just put it on, no one is impressed you sit their freezing at 15c nor wear shorts 24x7 etc etc.

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Financial-Tree9@reddit

I’m a building surveyor. The optimal temperature a house should be is 18-21 degrees C. This is to ensure decent thermal comfort and more importantly, prevent condensation build up and mould growth. If the temperature is low, condensation will thrive on surfaces that are too cold particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. 17degrees isn’t terrible but it’s not really optimal either. A good bit of heating and ventilation is needed for a healthy home.

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Dry_Action1734@reddit

I don’t know where she read it, but my partner says you shouldn’t consistently live below 17.5c.

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FelisCantabrigiensis@reddit

Most organisations who do research into health and home temperature recommend 18˚C to 21˚C. For example, the Centre for Sustainable Energy: [https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/cold-homes-and-health/](https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/cold-homes-and-health/) Even Public Health England recommend minimum 18˚C for most people: [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c5986f8ed915d045f3778a9/Min\_temp\_threshold\_for\_homes\_in\_winter.pdf](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c5986f8ed915d045f3778a9/Min_temp_threshold_for_homes_in_winter.pdf) and that is a minimum, not a target. Note that the previous Government advice, before someone decided to see how far they could chisel it down without running into a lot of contradictory facts, was 18˚C to 21˚C. Your mate can do what he likes to himself, but all available health research says he's wrong to apply this to anyone else, and it's not even good for him.

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boringfantasy@reddit

Anything below 18

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Dumpling_OO7@reddit

For most people, it's too cold, but some like lower temperatures. It also depends on the house. I live in a flat, and 17.5-18 is the sweet spot for me when it's dry outside. It's a bit inconsiderate not to put the heating on for the guests, I always make it cosier if someone's visiting.

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ben_jamin_h@reddit

What you'll find every time this question is asked is a bunch of people saying "anything over 18⁰c is mental, how can you live like that!? That's awful!" And then another bunch of people saying "anything under 21⁰c is mental, how can you live like that!? That's awful!". The two groups of people are just different. They will never agree. That's fine. I have a friend who lives through the winter at 17⁰c indoors, wears a hat indoors but no socks or shoes. That, to me, is absolutely mental. He came to visit me in November and had to strip down to his boxers and t shirt in my house which is 21⁰c because it was 'so hot he couldn't breathe'. There's no right answer here. You have your house set how you like it, your friend has theirs set how they like it. People will always disagree on which is preferable.

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PuzzleheadedFold503@reddit

Chilling on the sofa... 17°C and 70% humidity feels brutally cold, my knees, ankles, back, neck hurt. 15°C and 51% humidity is warm hoody and trackies temperature, but no joint pain or chills. When it feels chilly, I open the windows for half an hour to dry the gaff out and everything feels warmer. Same as in the heat... it's the humidity that gets you. Get a dehumidifier, 1/5th cost to run as a heater but the place feels so much warmer in comparison.

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NaomiT29@reddit

It's probably going to depend a lot on the house and the area. 17° in a well insulated, dry home in an area where the air isn't too damp is probably okay. 17° in a drafty house, where the air in the area is damp and subsequently the air in the home is damp, nope. Way too cold!

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Ok-Background7896@reddit

21–22°C at my house. My dad’s diabetic and feels the cold a lot, so that’s just our normal temperature it never really changes during cold months

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sluttracter@reddit

15 is fine. Put a jumper on.

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Vitalgori@reddit

Anything below 20* in a room where you spend time sitting still is too low. The exception is a bedroom at night, that can go a bit lower. Modern housing generally doesn't need this much heating to be at a comfortable temperature. The only reason to not heat up your house to 20 is if it's dilapidated or a historical property, and apparently most UK houses are in one of those two categories.

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VKarenina@reddit

I would love for my house to be 17. My partner was tight about heat for a while but in being tight has actually become the person that is too hot. She is "boiling" when it hits about 16 but when guests are over I force the heat issue, it has to be 18 because it's a little rude to keep guests cold.

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qwerty-mo-fu@reddit

He's inherited the northern infection that being immune to cold equals being hard

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what_katy_did@reddit

I live in a listed building with single glazing. With the heating on, it sits around 16. Turn the heating off at night and it drops to about 12. Usually sit in front of the fire in the evenings. Our bodies have adjusted. Going to stay at my parents' over Christmas and we always have to open the window to be able to sleep!

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Active-Strawberry-37@reddit

Somewhere between 18-21 for me. Have it at 19.5 now.

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Arxlvi@reddit

I would probably say anything below 16 is probably too cold. 16-18 is probably good sleeping temperature but probably warmer for areas where you dont have a duvet keeping you warm

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notanadultyadult@reddit

We usually have the house at 17-18.

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baslighting@reddit

21 deg

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solaris_j@reddit

17 is way too cold

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ImpressiveGift9921@reddit

I can't be dealing with much over 15 degrees.

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simundo86@reddit

17 is fine for me below 15 I would consider too cold

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