Now that low temperatures have already been installed indisputably, heating has become one of our great allies to protect us from cold. And it is a good time to ask ourselves an issue that we rarely stop to think: what is the best temperature to put it and achieve that delicate balance between keeping us comfortably warmed and getting an adequate temperature, without excesses.
It is difficult to define exactly what is the ideal temperature to maintain heating in our homes during these cold days because heat perception is very subjective and can vary considerably from one person to another. However, there are official recommendations and studies that show that there are some inconvenience when it comes to heating too much the environment in which we live. Can they really affect more degrees in our health?
What happens if the heating temperature is too high
The temperature influences, and much, in our well -being. Efficient work, adequate sleep, good humor … even if you don’t seem like it, the thermal conditions of our house influence all this.
Putting the heating above the recommended can lead to health problems, which vary depending on each person and conditions such as age or whether or not there are chronic diseases, and also the type of heating system we have at home (radiators , firewood, heat pump, among others).
Some of the main health problems of a Too high temperature are:
Respiratory infections
Dry air and lack of humidity tend to reduce moisture in the environment, which can affect the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, compromise the mucous membranes of the respiratory system and create a crop broth for bacteria and viruses and, therefore , increases the risk of respiratory infections, especially in people suffering from chronic diseases such as asthma or COPD, which are the most likely to suffer complications derived from the use of heating.
Hot air heat pumps, which mobilize air, can drag dust particles, mites or other microorganisms that increase symptoms in allergic people. In this sense, filter cleaning and pump disinfection are crucial to minimize these effects.
Ocular dryness
With very high heating, air becomes drier, which means that there is less moisture in the environment, something that we notice more in interior spaces in which moisture levels are reduced. When the air is too dry, it increases the risk of irritation and reduction of the moisture of the eye surface. Although it may seem that summer is the time when this can be more evident, some studies have demonstrated a Greater rate of dry eye cases in winter. And the reason are found in a combination of heat and dryness derived from the internal heating.
Sleep problems
When we sleep, our body temperature descends, coinciding with the release of melatonin, sleep hormone. Therefore, lowering the thermostat at night can work because it is synchronized with these natural temperature fluctuations, and we are telling our body that the time of sleep is approaching.
On the other hand, it will be more difficult for us to reconcile the dream if in our room the temperature is too high, precisely because it interferes with the thermoregulation capacity of our body. The result can be discomfort, restlessness and fatigue.
The ideal sleeping temperature is usually among 15 ° C and 19 ° C, and it is even possible that we sleep better if we respect this temperature. If it is too cold or heat, the internal temperature is altered, which in turn can cause the dream to be interrupted.
Headache
This is usually a usual symptom when heating is kept high due to vasodilation. Heat lowers blood pressure, reducing blood flow in the brain, which generates annoying symptoms.
Skin dehydration
We say nothing new when we affirm that the cold months of winter are not good friends for our skin. The inner heat of the houses is one of the causes of skin dehydration, added to the fact that we do not usually go with the water bottle in our hand. Keeping exposed in the dry air of our houses in winters causes us to lose liquids and dehydrate. When lighting the heating, most of the air with which we come into contact is dry and lacks moisture. This results in a dehydrated and schegous skin that is easily irritated.
At what temperature do we put the thermostat?
The maximum heating temperature should be around 19 ° C and 23 ° C, although the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends heat The house at 18 ° C in winter. Temperatures greater than 25 ° C are considered too high. But, for complete well -being, it is also convenient to think of another equally important factor: the moisture of the air that, although it is not seen, is key. We must bear in mind that air humidity levels can also be an excessive heating indicator, considering a normal range of 50 to 55%.
A humidity below 50% means that the air is too dry, that is, the heating is too high and, therefore, it can be convenient and necessary to use special humidifiers. But a moisture of the air greater than 60-70%, on the other hand, favors the proliferation of microorganisms, molds and mites, especially allergenic agents, which can be harmful to health.
What other things can we do in addition to adjusting the thermostat well
When the problem is excessive humidity we can counteract this problem with the use of dehumidifiers, which help reduce excess moisture and, therefore, mold growth. They also allow us to improve general comfort.
But if the problem is the dry environment, instead of turning off the heating completely and being trembling, the use of a humidifier is a good alternative to relieve problems such as dry skin or eyes. A humidifier allows us Harvard Health Publishing.
Another way to avoid problems is, although it seems contradictory during the cold months, ventilate the house every day for about five to fifteen minutes. This improves air quality because it allows it to be renewed and cleaned and avoid the health risks associated with the mold. Of course, it is important that we do it at the time of the day we do not have the heating on.
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