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Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Punteha van Terheyden

I Said Goodbye to the Outdated 66°F Heating Rule: Turning the Temperature Up Really Is Better for Your Home, Health, and the Planet

Powder blue open plan living room and diner with colorful accents on rugs and arm chairs.

I spoke with HVAC professionals in November about how the 66°Fahrenheit heating standard is outdated, and why raising the thermostat to 68-70°F this winter will protect your home, health, and the planet in 2026 and beyond.

Since I like to put my money where my mouth is, I’ve been testing the updated advice from the World Health Organization in my own home, raising the thermostat from our previous constant temperature of 66°F to 70°F for the last five weeks. The results have been excellent, with my family consistently more comfortable, no more condensation on windows, and crucially, my bills have surprisingly stayed the same.

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