To avoid mould, keep your house temperature consistently between 18-21°C (64-70°F) in living areas and never let it drop below 14°C, ensuring humidity stays below 60%, as mould thrives in cold, damp conditions and condensation forms when warm indoor air meets cold surfaces, making consistent heat and ventilation crucial.
If you seriously want to avoid mold in your home then avoid rooms cooling completely. Experts recommend that the ideal temperature for living rooms is 20°C, 23°C for the bathroom and children's rooms, and 16C for the bedroom and kitchen. It is recommended that you never let the temperature of your home fall below 14°C.
Types and causes of damp and mould
This is caused by too much moisture in the air. It happens mainly during cold weather and is the most likely cause of black mould in your home.
Ideal room temperature for sleeping
According to The Sleep Charity, the ideal bedroom temperature for sleeping is 16–18°C. Anything over 24°C could be too hot and make you restless, while trying to sleep in a cold room with a temperature below 12°C could make it harder to nod off.
Temperature: Keeping Your Home Warm Enough
One of the key factors in preventing damp and mould is maintaining a consistent indoor temperature. Cold temperatures cause condensation, which can lead to mould growth. Ideally, the temperature in your living spaces should be kept between 18–20°C (64–68°F).
The sweet spot for indoor temperature is typically around 20-22 degrees Celsius (68-72 degrees Fahrenheit). This range promotes better sleep, aids concentration, and supports overall physical comfort. Straying too far from this range may lead to health issues.
What are symptoms and effects of mold exposure?
Cold Walls, Floors, and Corners
If you keep asking yourself why is my house so cold even though the heat is on, the answer might be hiding in your walls, floors, or attic—not your furnace. When walls or ceilings feel cold to the touch, it's a classic sign of conductive heat loss.
Moist air = More heat loss
When the air is moist and the temperature is low, it causes our bodies to lose heat more quickly. That's because damp air slows the evaporation of moisture on our skin, leaving us feeling cooler, almost as if our skin is slightly wet.
The best room temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 20 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
To kill mold permanently, you must eliminate its food source (organic materials) and, most importantly, its need for moisture by fixing leaks and reducing humidity with a dehumidifier, while cleaning existing mold with agents like white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or diluted bleach (for non-porous surfaces) and scrubbing thoroughly, but prevention is key by controlling water and air flow.
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is the plant known for removing a significant amount of airborne mold, with studies showing it can eliminate around 78% of mold spores and 94% of fecal particles in 12 hours in sealed environments, though real-world effectiveness varies and it's toxic if ingested, making other options like Peace Lilies and Snake Plants popular for general air purification.
Here are 11 signs that may indicate the growth of hidden mold inside your home:
Low temperatures: Higher temperatures offset damp air, drying the conditions. But with costly energy bills, maintaining a warm room temperature isn't possible for all households, and this increases the risk of dampness. A lack of insulation can also cause lower temperatures and increased moisture.
Research shows that mold spores begin to die at sustained temperatures above 140°F (60°C). However, to ensure complete eradication, temperatures between 160°F and 180°F (71–82°C) are typically required.
Mold risk increases in cold apartment
This moisture, as well as moisture in the masonry, can promote mold growth. The mold problem is greater in the cold season than in spring or summer because cold air can physically absorb less moisture than warm air.
During winter, when the air is typically drier, it's recommended to keep the humidity level between 30-60%. This helps prevent dry skin, irritated respiratory passages, and static electricity. This range helps maintain comfort while preventing issues like dry skin, static electricity, and respiratory problems.
Air Circulation and Ventilation
If your house isn't getting enough natural ventilation, cool air may not circulate properly. This can make certain rooms, particularly those without AC or fans, feel stuffy or colder than they should be.
How cool should my house be if it's 100 outside? Your AC can typically cool about 20°F below the outdoor temperature, so if it's 100°F outside, maintaining 78–80°F indoors is reasonable.
How to tell if your house is poorly insulated
What Temperature is Too Cold for a House? While everyone has a different tolerance to cold, ideal winter heat settings should generally be at or above 63 °F (17 °C). Excessive cold (anything below 62 °F or 16 °C) in your home can actually raise your blood pressure as your blood “thickens” in the chilly temperatures.
How many hours a day should the heating be on? Due to the current increase in energy bills, it is recommended that you do not have your heating on 24/7. This will not only result in extremely expensive heating bills, but excessive energy being used also negatively affects the environment.
Urine mycotoxin tests are ideal for testing yourself (and your family members) for mycotoxin exposure. They're absolutely painless, totally non-invasive, and incredibly easy to use.
Your air filter can help to purify the air, removing tiny mold spores. This can be a tremendous help, and soon you'll start to feel more comfortable. Note that not every air purifier can remove and purify mold; you should check to make sure that your air purifier can do the job.