# What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat? UK 2026
Updated: May 2026 — Power Guardian UK Editorial Team
The Energy Saving Trust says turning your thermostat down by just 1°C cuts heating bills by around 10% — roughly £100–£130 a year for a typical UK home in 2026.
The recommended UK thermostat setting
18–21°C is the sweet spot for most healthy adults. The World Health Organisation recommends a minimum of 18°C in living rooms during winter — below that, health risks rise (especially for over-65s, infants and anyone with respiratory issues).
| Setting | Comfort | Annual heating cost (typical home) |
|---|---|---|
| 17°C | Cool — only OK if active | £880 |
| 18°C | WHO minimum, generally safe | £960 |
| 19°C | Recommended sweet spot | £1,050 |
| 20°C | Comfortable for most | £1,150 |
| 21°C | Warm — common UK default | £1,260 |
| 22°C+ | Toasty — costs add up fast | £1,380+ |
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(Figures: gas combi boiler, semi-detached, average UK weather, 2026 prices.)
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Room-by-room targets
- Living room / bedroom: 18–21°C
- Hallways and unused rooms: 16–18°C — turn TRVs (radiator valves) down
- Bathroom: 22°C briefly when in use
- Children's nurseries / vulnerable adults: 20–22°C, never below 18°C
What actually saves money
- Lower the thermostat by 1°C — biggest single win, ~£100/year
- Use TRVs to set unused rooms cooler — saves another £50–£80/year
- Programme heating for when you're home — not 24/7. Two windows (morning + evening) is usually enough
- Don't crank up to 25°C to "heat the house faster" — boilers heat at the same rate regardless of target
- Bleed radiators annually — cold spots mean the boiler runs longer
Smart thermostat: worth it?
A Nest, Hive or Tado typically saves 8–15% on heating once well-set up — so £80–£190/year. Payback in 1.5–3 years.
When NOT to turn it down
- Households with infants, over-65s, or people with health conditions — keep at 20–21°C
- Damp-prone homes — under 17°C constantly invites mould, which costs more to fix than the heating saves
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View on Amazon UKWhat is the ideal thermostat setting for a typical UK home?
The recommended "sweet spot" for most healthy adults in the UK is 19°C. This balances comfort with energy efficiency, coming in slightly above the World Health Organisation's minimum recommendation of 18°C for living rooms.
How much can I save by lowering my thermostat by just 1°C?
Lowering your thermostat by a single degree Celsius can reduce your heating bills by approximately 10%. For a typical UK home in 2026, this translates to an annual saving of around £100–£130.
Should all rooms in my house be heated to the same temperature?
No, different rooms have different target temperatures. While living rooms and bedrooms are ideal between 18–21°C, hallways and unused rooms can be cooler at 16–18°C using TRVs. Bathrooms can be heated to 22°C briefly when in use.
Are smart thermostats like Nest or Hive worth the investment?
Yes, smart thermostats can be a worthwhile investment, potentially saving 8–15% on heating costs. This equates to £80–£190 per year for a well-set-up system, offering a payback period of 1.5–3 years.
When should I avoid turning my thermostat down too low?
You should avoid turning your thermostat below 20-21°C if you have infants, over-65s, or individuals with health conditions. Additionally, maintaining a temperature constantly above 17°C is crucial in damp-prone homes to prevent mould growth, which can be more costly to fix than the heating saved.
Recommended kit
tado Smart Thermostat X
Schedule, zone and remote-control your heating — independently shown to cut heating bills by up to 28%.
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