TEMPERATURE

When your home’s indoor temperature isn’t properly maintained, it can effect your productivity, comfort, and health. The good news is, with proper management, you can control the temperature in your home, and bring it to an ideal range. Your contractor can help you problem solve and get your home to the best version of itself.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

“The indoor temperature affects several human responses, including thermal comfort, perceived air quality, sick building syndrome symptoms and performance at work.”

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

“Hot and cold work environments are occupational physical hazards.”

Employment and Social Development Canada

“…Where cognitive performance is the priority, it is wise to ensure a comfortably cool environment.“

National Institutes of Health

(NIH)

WHY TESTING FOR TEMPERATURE IS IMPORTANT

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Impact on Sleep and Comfort

Thermal comfort strongly affects sleep quality and relaxation. Research consistently finds that most people sleep best around 65–70 °F (18–21 °C). Without testing and monitoring, your home’s indoor temperature could affect your sleep.

Testing temperature differences around your home can also highlight uneven comfort levels from room to room, because not every part of the home heats or cools the same way.

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Save on energy costs

Smart monitoring allows for more efficient heating and cooling — avoiding overheating in summer or over-heating in winter. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting thermostats to 68 °F when you’re home and lowering it when away, saving as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

A man in a ball cap changing an air filter. Image generated by CoPilot AI.

Different parts of your home have different heating and cooling needs, so installing a zoning thermostat will keep each room comfortable without wasting energy conditioning the entire house the same way.

A dirty male hand, holding a paintbrush, is spreading caulk over a house air duct joint with a paintbrush.

Inspect and seal ductwork, and ensure the building is properly insulated to minimize wasted energy. Talk to your contractor about how to best accomplish this in your home.

Upgrade thermostat to save on energy costs. Your contractor will be able to help find the best option for your house.

AIRADVICE PROTIP:

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For better and more consistent home comfort, consult an HVAC contractor about upgrading to a zoned system with a smart thermostat. A zoned system addresses uneven temperatures by controlling different areas independently, while a smart thermostat adds convenience and energy savings by allowing remote control and automated scheduling. This combination eliminates hot and cold spots while reducing energy waste.

WHAT ELSE DO WE MEASURE?

Interested in learning more about how to improve home health, safety, and comfort? AirAdvice tests for 7 different parameters in the home with our top-of-the-line monitor. Our monitors are designed and maintained to produce clear and accurate results, giving you a clear picture of the state of your home’s air. Scroll down to see the other things we test for in a home.

Particles

Particulate matter (PM) is a microscopic mixture of solid dust particles and liquid droplets found in the air, invisible to the eye. The smallest particles pose the greatest health risk and can get into the deepest part of our lungs and into the blood stream. Read more about how to prevent the build up of particles in your home.

Relative Humidity

Relative Humidity (RH%) can affect the incidence of respiratory infections and allergies, and contribute to comfort issues. According to the CDC, high moisture (>60%) can foster biological growth. Read more about how to protect your home from the effects of air that is either too dry or too humid.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a chemical found in many household products and building materials, and is also produced by combustion. While formaldehyde is common in homes, it can be harmful to your health. The CDC says the cancer risk is low from typical indoor formaldehyde levels. Experts recommend keeping formaldehyde levels as low as reasonably possible in your home.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas we exhale. It builds up in the home when there is no fresh outdoor air, impacting health, comfort, and performance. Read more about the effects of high levels of CO2 in the home, and how it can be remedied.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) represent a broad category of chemicals that are present in numerous products we use to build and maintain our homes. Once these chemicals are in our homes, they are discharged or “off-gas” into the indoor air we breathe. They may or may not emit odors, so smelling is not a good indicator of health risk.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is gas that has no odor, taste or color that comes from burning different fuels. It can build up to deadly levels in the home, especially when appliances and engines aren’t well ventilated or vented. Read more about how to prevent this build up in your home.