Is 63 Degrees Cold Indoors? Balancing Comfort, Savings, and Health

The moment you step into a room and feel a distinct chill, a common question arises: “Is it cold in here, or is it just me?” When the indoor thermometer hovers around 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17.2°C), this question often becomes a topic of debate. Many wonder if 63°F is genuinely too cold for comfort, especially when trying to strike a balance between maintaining a cozy home and keeping energy bills in check.

This comprehensive guide will thoroughly explore whether 63 degrees Fahrenheit can be considered “cold” for indoor spaces. We’ll delve into the various factors that influence our perception of temperature, offer practical tips for staying warm without increasing your thermostat, and discuss energy-efficient strategies to maintain a comfortable home environment. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer understanding of ideal indoor temperatures, how to personalize your comfort, and how to create a warm and inviting living space without straining your budget.

What is Considered an Ideal Indoor Temperature in Winter?

Pinpointing the perfect indoor temperature for comfort during winter can be a complex task, as individual preferences vary significantly. However, energy experts and health organizations offer general guidelines to help homeowners find a sweet spot that balances warmth with cost savings.

The U.S. Department of Energy, for instance, suggests setting your thermostat to 68°F (20°C) during the winter months when you are at home and awake. This temperature is widely regarded as an optimal compromise between ensuring adequate comfort and achieving substantial energy savings. It’s warm enough to prevent most people from feeling uncomfortably cold but cool enough to avoid excessive heating costs.

When considering 63°F (17.2°C), it’s important to note that this temperature falls noticeably below the Department of Energy’s recommendation. Most individuals typically find indoor temperatures within the range of 65°F to 72°F (18.3°C to 22.2°C) to be most comfortable. At 63°F, you are indeed at the lower end of, or just below, this commonly accepted comfort zone. Consequently, it’s very likely that many occupants will experience a sensation of chilliness at this temperature.

Understanding these guidelines is crucial as you evaluate your home’s thermostat settings, especially if you’re aiming for both comfort and energy efficiency during the colder seasons.

Is 63 Degrees Fahrenheit Cold Indoors?

The question of whether 63°F (17.2°C) is “cold” in an indoor setting isn’t as straightforward as a simple yes or no. For many, if not most, people, an indoor temperature of 63°F will undeniably feel quite cool. It sits below the standard comfort range that individuals typically maintain in their homes, often prompting a natural inclination to reach for extra layers, a cozy blanket, or a warm drink, especially when stationary or engaged in low-activity tasks.

However, the subjective perception of “cold” at 63°F is highly variable and influenced by several key factors:

What You’re Wearing: The most immediate defense against cooler temperatures is appropriate clothing. If you’re dressed in multiple layers, warm sweaters, thermal underwear, and thick socks, 63°F might feel perfectly acceptable, or even pleasant, especially if you’re active.
Your Activity Level: Someone moving around, performing household chores, or exercising will generate more body heat and likely feel less affected by 63°F than someone sitting still reading or watching TV. Physical activity naturally raises your internal temperature.
Personal Metabolism and Preference: Individuals have different metabolic rates, which affect how quickly their bodies generate heat. Some people naturally “run warmer” than others and have a higher tolerance for cooler temperatures, while others are more sensitive to the cold.
Humidity Levels: Low humidity can make cooler air feel even colder by accelerating the evaporation of moisture from your skin. Conversely, higher indoor humidity (within a comfortable range) can sometimes make 63°F feel less harsh.
Drafts and Air Movement: Even at 63°F, a persistent draft from a window or door can create a localized “wind chill” effect, making the overall room feel significantly colder than the thermostat indicates.
External Conditions: The contrast between indoor and outdoor temperatures can also influence perception. If it’s 20°F (-6.7°C) outside, 63°F indoors might feel relatively warm and comfortable. If it’s 60°F (15.6°C) outside and sunny, 63°F indoors might feel chilly by comparison.

Specific Considerations for Vulnerable Groups

It’s crucial to acknowledge that certain demographic groups are more susceptible to cold temperatures. Older adults, for instance, often have reduced circulation and a lower metabolic rate, making them more sensitive to cold and requiring warmer indoor environments to maintain comfort and health. Similarly, infants and young children, who cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively as adults, and cannot verbally express their discomfort, generally need warmer conditions. For these groups, 63°F could indeed be considered uncomfortably, and potentially even unsafely, cold.

In summary, while 63°F is not freezing, and some individuals might find it perfectly fine with the right clothing and activity, for a significant portion of the population, particularly when sedentary or among vulnerable groups, it will likely feel cold. It’s a temperature that often prompts a need for personal warming strategies rather than relying solely on ambient room heat.

Is 63 Degrees Fahrenheit Energy Efficient? Exploring Savings Potential

One of the primary motivations for setting your thermostat to 63°F (17.2°C) is the significant potential for energy savings. Lowering your indoor temperature, even by a few degrees, can translate into tangible reductions in your monthly heating bills. Let’s delve into the specifics of how 63°F performs in terms of energy efficiency.

1. Substantial Energy Savings Potential

Maintaining your home at 63°F instead of a higher, warmer temperature directly reduces the workload on your heating system. The larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature, the more energy your heating system needs to consume to bridge that gap. By keeping your indoor temperature lower, you lessen this difference, thereby requiring less energy.

A widely cited rule of thumb in energy conservation is that for every degree Fahrenheit you lower your thermostat setting during the heating season, you can save approximately 1% on your heating bill. While 1% might seem modest at first glance, these savings accumulate quickly over the course of a cold winter, resulting in a noticeable impact on your overall expenses.

To put this into perspective, if we compare 63°F to the often-recommended 68°F (20°C), you are effectively reducing your thermostat setting by 5 degrees. This translates to an estimated savings of around 5% on your heating costs. For many households, this percentage can represent a significant amount of money saved over a full winter season, freeing up funds for other priorities.

2. Maximizing Efficiency with Smart Thermostat Adjustments

To truly harness the energy-saving potential of a 63°F setting, smart and programmable thermostats are invaluable tools. These advanced devices allow you to automate temperature changes throughout the day, ensuring that your home is only heated to your desired comfort level precisely when needed.

Here’s how to optimize your thermostat settings for maximum efficiency:

When You’re Away: Program your thermostat to lower the temperature even further when you’re out of the house for extended periods, such as during work hours. You could drop it to 60°F (15.6°C) or even slightly lower, as there’s no need to heat an empty home to a comfortable living temperature.
While Sleeping: Similarly, consider lowering the temperature overnight when you’re tucked under warm blankets. Many people find cooler temperatures conducive to better sleep. Setting it to 60°F-62°F (15.6°C-16.7°C) while you sleep can save considerable energy.
Strategic Pre-Heating: To avoid returning to a chilly home or waking up to a cold bedroom, program your thermostat to begin warming up about 60 to 90 minutes before your typical arrival time or wake-up time. This allows the house to reach a comfortable 63°F by the time you need it, avoiding both discomfort and the energy waste of heating an empty or sleeping house for too long.

By implementing these strategic thermostat adjustments, you’re not merely saving energy when you’re home, but more importantly, you’re avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during periods when the extra warmth isn’t required. This approach represents a highly intelligent method for staying comfortable while keeping your energy usage and heating costs firmly under control.

Comfort Strategies for a 63-Degree Home: Staying Warm and Cozy

If you’ve made the conscious decision to maintain your home at 63°F (17.2°C) to significantly reduce energy costs, it’s essential to adopt effective strategies to ensure you and your family remain warm and comfortable. Fortunately, there are numerous practical and easy ways to stay cozy without the need to constantly increase your thermostat setting. Let’s explore some key tactics:

1. Strategic Clothing and Bedding

Dressing in layers is arguably the most fundamental and effective strategy for staying warm in a cooler indoor environment. This approach allows you to adjust your personal insulation based on your activity level and comfort needs throughout the day.

Layered Clothing: Start with a thin, moisture-wicking base layer (like thermal underwear or long johns) close to your skin to trap warmth. Add a middle layer such as a fleece or wool sweater, and top it off with an outer layer like a vest or a thicker cardigan. Don’t forget extremities: warm, wool socks are crucial, and slippers can make a significant difference in preventing heat loss through your feet. It’s much simpler and more energy-efficient to remove layers if you become too warm than to heat an entire room.
Bedtime Warmth: For sleeping, transform your bed into a warm sanctuary. Opt for flannel sheets, which are excellent at retaining body heat compared to standard cotton. A high-quality down comforter or a thick, synthetic duvet will provide superior insulation. Consider adding an extra blanket or a wool throw for additional warmth. Wearing warm pajamas, and even a soft cap or beanie, can further prevent heat loss, as a considerable amount of body heat escapes through the head.

2. Intelligent Use of Space Heaters

Space heaters can be incredibly valuable allies in a 63°F home, offering targeted warmth precisely where and when you need it. Their primary advantage is that they allow you to heat only the specific room you’re occupying, rather than incurring the expense of heating the entire house, leading to substantial energy savings.

Zone Heating: Use a space heater in your home office, living room, or bedroom while you’re actively using those spaces. This creates a comfortable microclimate without over-heating unoccupied areas.
Safety First: Always prioritize safety when using space heaters. Ensure they are placed on a flat, stable surface, at least three feet away from anything flammable (curtains, furniture, bedding). Never leave a space heater unattended, especially when leaving a room or going to sleep. Opt for models with safety features like automatic tip-over shut-off and overheat protection.

3. Optimizing Home Insulation and Maintenance

The overall warmth you perceive at 63°F is heavily influenced by your home’s ability to retain heat. Good insulation and diligent maintenance can significantly enhance your comfort without raising the thermostat.

Seal Drafts: Actively check for drafts around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and even plumbing penetrations. These small gaps can allow considerable amounts of cold air to seep in. Simple solutions like weatherstripping for doors and windows, and caulk for cracks and gaps, are inexpensive and highly effective.
Window Treatments: Windows are a major source of heat loss. Invest in heavy, insulated curtains or thermal drapes. Keep them open during sunny daylight hours to allow natural heat gain, and then close them tightly at dusk to trap that warmth indoors and block the nighttime cold. Window films can also add an extra layer of insulation.
Door Sweeps and Draft Stoppers: Install door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors to prevent cold air from entering underneath. Fabric draft stoppers (sometimes called “draft snakes”) can be placed at the base of interior doors leading to unheated areas or less-used rooms.
Check Attic and Wall Insulation: While a larger project, ensuring your attic and wall insulation is adequate is one of the most impactful ways to keep your home warmer overall.

4. Warm Food and Drinks

Don’t underestimate the power of internal warmth! Regularly consuming hot beverages like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or warm broth can provide an immediate sense of coziness. Eating warm, hearty meals such as soups, stews, and casseroles can also help raise your core body temperature and keep you feeling satiated and warm from the inside out.

By integrating these practical comfort strategies, you can effectively manage a 63°F indoor environment, ensuring your home remains a haven of warmth and coziness throughout the colder months, all while benefiting from significant energy savings.

What is the Best Temperature for Sleeping?

Achieving a restorative night’s sleep is profoundly influenced by your bedroom’s temperature. While personal preferences vary, sleep experts and scientific research consistently point to a specific temperature range as optimal for facilitating the body’s natural sleep processes.

Most sleep specialists recommend that the ideal bedroom temperature for adults falls between 60°F and 67°F (15.6°C and 19.4°C). This relatively cool range aids your body in maintaining its natural sleep cycle, specifically by supporting the slight drop in core body temperature that is essential for initiating and sustaining sleep. As you prepare for sleep, your body naturally cools down, signaling to your brain that it’s time to rest. A cooler room helps this process along, preventing overheating which can disrupt sleep.

Interestingly, 63°F (17.2°C) sits almost perfectly in the middle of this recommended ideal range. For many individuals, this temperature can create an exceptionally conducive sleep environment. It’s cool enough to encourage the necessary drop in core body temperature, helping you to relax, drift off to sleep more easily, and achieve deeper, more uninterrupted rest. Crucially, it’s typically not so cold that you’ll wake up shivering or feeling uncomfortable, provided you have adequate bedding.

However, it’s vital to remember that personal preference still plays a significant role. While 63°F might be the “sweet spot” for many, some individuals might find it slightly too cool and prefer something closer to 65°F (18.3°C), while others might thrive in even cooler conditions closer to 60°F (15.6°C). Factors like your sleep attire, bedding, and even your natural body temperature can influence your ideal setting.

The key to finding your best sleep temperature is to experiment and observe how you feel. If you find yourself consistently comfortable, falling asleep easily, and waking up refreshed at 63°F, then you’ve likely discovered your personal optimum for a truly good night’s rest. This can also be a happy coincidence for those aiming for energy efficiency, as an ideal sleep temperature can align perfectly with a cost-saving thermostat setting.

What is the Best Thermostat Temperature for an Infant?

When it comes to the safety and comfort of our youngest family members, maintaining an appropriate indoor temperature is paramount. Infants have unique physiological needs that differentiate their ideal temperature range significantly from adults. Their bodies are not as efficient at regulating temperature, making them more susceptible to both overheating and getting too cold.

Most pediatricians and child safety experts strongly recommend keeping an infant’s room, or the general living space where a baby spends most of their time, a bit warmer than what adults might prefer for energy savings or even sleep. The consensus suggests an ideal indoor temperature range for babies typically falls between 68°F and 72°F (20°C and 22.2°C).

At 63°F (17.2°C), a room will almost certainly feel too chilly for an infant. Here’s why this temperature is generally unsuitable for babies:

Immature Thermoregulation: Babies, especially newborns, have an underdeveloped thermoregulatory system. This means their bodies struggle to maintain a consistent core temperature. They lose heat more rapidly and cannot generate enough heat through shivering as adults do.
Limited Communication: Infants cannot verbally communicate if they are cold. Their only signs might be fussiness, cool skin to the touch (especially on their tummy or back), or a reluctance to feed, which can be easily misinterpreted.
SIDS Risk: While overheating is a known risk factor for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), being too cold can also be detrimental. A chilly environment can stress an infant’s system.
Inability to Adjust: Unlike adults, babies cannot simply add or remove layers, pull up a blanket (which is often discouraged due to SIDS risk), or move to a warmer spot. They are entirely dependent on their caregivers to manage their environment.

If you’ve opted to keep your general home thermostat at 63°F, it is absolutely essential to adjust the temperature in the baby’s nursery or the room where they are present to a warmer setting. You could achieve this by:

Dedicated Room Heater: Safely use a space heater specifically for the baby’s room. Ensure it’s a model designed for nurseries, with safety features, and positioned well away from the crib or any flammable materials. Monitor the room temperature with a separate thermometer.
Temporary Thermostat Adjustment: When the baby is awake and active in communal areas, consider temporarily bumping up your whole-house thermostat to the recommended range of 68-72°F.
Layering Appropriately (but Safely): Dress your baby in layers, but avoid excessive bundling or loose blankets in the crib. A sleep sack or wearable blanket is a much safer alternative to traditional blankets. Always check your baby’s temperature by touching their chest or back, not their hands or feet, which can often feel cool even if the baby is warm enough.

Remember, a comfortable and appropriately warm baby is more likely to sleep well, feed properly, and remain healthy. Therefore, while 63°F offers excellent energy savings for adults, it is strongly advised to maintain significantly warmer conditions for your little one’s well-being.

Health Implications of a 63-Degree Home

While maintaining a home at 63°F (17.2°C) offers clear benefits in terms of energy efficiency and cost savings, it’s also important to consider the potential health implications. Cooler indoor temperatures, especially for extended periods, can affect different individuals in varying ways.

1. Potential Health Risks

Respiratory Issues: Cooler, drier air can be particularly challenging for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or bronchitis. Cold air can irritate and tighten airways, potentially leading to increased coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and exacerbations of symptoms.
Increased Susceptibility to Illness: Research suggests that common cold and flu viruses tend to thrive and spread more efficiently in cooler, drier environments. Additionally, exposure to cold can slightly suppress the immune system, potentially making individuals more vulnerable to infections. Living in a consistently 63-degree home might therefore increase your likelihood of catching a cold or the flu.
Joint Pain and Stiffness: For people suffering from conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other chronic pain syndromes, cooler temperatures can often exacerbate symptoms. Cold can cause muscles to stiffen and joints to ache more intensely, leading to increased discomfort and reduced mobility.
Cardiovascular Strain: In extreme cold, or for very vulnerable individuals (like the elderly or those with heart conditions), the body works harder to maintain its core temperature. This increased effort can put a strain on the cardiovascular system, potentially raising blood pressure. While 63°F is not extreme, it’s still a factor to be mindful of for at-risk populations.
Reduced Cognitive Function: Studies have indicated that very cold indoor temperatures can subtly impair cognitive functions such as concentration, decision-making, and memory, although 63°F is unlikely to cause severe impairment, it might affect sustained focus.

2. Recommended Actions to Mitigate Risks

If you choose to keep your home at 63°F, there are proactive steps you can take to minimize potential health risks and maintain well-being:

Maintain Humidity: Use a humidifier to add moisture back into the air, especially if your heating system tends to dry out the environment. Optimal indoor humidity levels are generally between 30% and 50%. This can help soothe airways, prevent dry skin, and make the air feel warmer.
Stay Hydrated: Even when you don’t feel hot, staying adequately hydrated is crucial for overall health. Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and other non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day. Hydration helps with circulation and overall body function.
Stay Active: Regular physical activity, even light indoor exercises like stretching, walking around, or doing household chores, helps generate body heat, improve circulation, and boost your immune system. Avoid prolonged periods of inactivity, which can lead to feeling colder.
Dress Warmly and Layer: As discussed, dressing in multiple layers is your first line of defense against the cold. Ensure you have warm socks, sweaters, and even a hat if you feel chilly.
Warm Up Strategically: Take warm baths or showers, or use a heated blanket or electric throw to warm yourself up quickly and safely when needed.
Consult a Healthcare Professional: If you or a family member has chronic health conditions, especially respiratory issues, arthritis, or cardiovascular problems, it’s highly advisable to consult your doctor about the optimal indoor temperature. They can provide personalized recommendations and advise on whether a 63°F environment is suitable for your specific health needs. They might suggest keeping certain rooms warmer or using supplementary heating in critical areas.

By being mindful of these potential health implications and implementing preventative measures, you can enjoy the energy savings of a 63-degree home while still safeguarding your health and comfort.

Wrapping It Up: Finding Your Ideal 63-Degree Comfort Zone

As we conclude our extensive exploration of maintaining a home at 63 degrees Fahrenheit, one truth becomes abundantly clear: comfort is a deeply personal and subjective experience. While 63°F might be perceived as too cool or even uncomfortably cold by some, others may find it perfectly acceptable, or even ideal, especially when combined with smart strategies. The ultimate goal is to discover what specific temperature and complementary habits work best for you and everyone living under your roof.

It’s undeniable that a cooler indoor temperature, such as 63°F, presents significant opportunities for financial savings on your heating bills. However, it’s paramount to strike a careful balance between these economic benefits and the crucial considerations of personal comfort and health. Pushing the temperature too low without proper mitigation can lead to discomfort, potential health risks, and a less enjoyable living environment.

If you choose to set your thermostat at 63°F, remember and utilize the practical tips we’ve shared to enhance your warmth and coziness. Layering your clothing, investing in warm and insulating bedding, and strategically deploying space heaters for targeted warmth in occupied zones are highly effective strategies. Sealing drafts, improving window insulation, and ensuring your home’s overall thermal envelope is robust will further contribute to a more consistently comfortable interior, preventing cold spots and reducing the overall energy demand.

Crucially, for vulnerable populations such as infants, young children, and older adults, maintaining slightly warmer temperatures (typically between 68°F and 72°F) is strongly recommended to ensure their safety, comfort, and well-being. Additionally, individuals with specific health concerns, particularly respiratory conditions or joint pain, should consult with their healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate indoor temperature for their circumstances and implement health-protective measures like humidifiers and staying active.

Finally, consider the unique role of temperature in sleep. For many, 63°F falls within the ideal range recommended by sleep experts, promoting better sleep quality and contributing to overall health. By understanding these nuances and applying the advice provided, you can expertly manage your home’s temperature.

Whatever temperature you ultimately decide upon, the overarching objective is to cultivate a home environment that is not only energy-efficient and budget-friendly but also consistently comfortable, healthy, and welcoming for every member of your household.