02/01/2026
I get into three or four homes a day, and i know two things to be true.
Thing One: it is increasingly expensive to heat your home and many of you are driving your home comfort temperature lower and lower, hoping that it will be less expensive.
Thing Two: many of you are struggling to stay healthy or recover from the seemingly endless parade of bugs and illnesses.
As a Heating Professional I need to tell you these are related Things! The temperature and humidity at which we maintain our homes is scientific!
Maintaining an indoor temperature of 68°F to 72°F (20°C–22°C) combined with a relative humidity (RH) of 40% to 60% is optimal for reducing the survival and spread of viruses and bacteria. Viruses and bacteria thrive in cooler, drier air, while this "sweet spot" helps keep human respiratory defenses strong and renders particles inactive faster.
Quite possibly, in your quest to save on your heating bill, you are prolonging your families illnesses! Especially if you have small and school-aged kids.
And, Jimmy Carter was wrong…you don’t save as much as you think you do. The break-over point is more than 10° for more than 72 hours.
Something to think about.
