the best temperature settings for each room in your house

Comfort is personal, but the most useful thermostat setting is usually the one that keeps a room steady without making the household think about the electricity bill. A busy kitchen, a sleeping bedroom and a sunlit lounge rarely feel best at exactly the same temperature. Use these room-by-room figures as practical starting points, then adjust for insulation, occupants and daily routines.

There is no perfect temperature setting for the whole property. Each space has a different purpose, while its size, orientation and amount of sunlight determine how quickly it heats or cools. Furniture, windows and ventilation also affect the experience, so the thermostat reading is only one part of indoor comfort.

Temperature advice is often given in Celsius for good reason: Australian summers and mild winters create very different conditions from one day to the next. Sydney homes may retain warmth and coastal moisture, while a well-insulated Perth home can heat quickly under a dry sky. Households with gas heating, reverse-cycle air conditioners or ducted systems should use the controls that suit their own equipment.

bedrooms and restful sleep

A bedroom usually benefits from a slightly cooler setting than a busy living area. For sleeping, start at 18–20°C with heating and 23–25°C with cooling. If someone feels cold, add a layer or raise the thermostat by 1°C rather than turning the system to maximum. Around 21–22°C suits many older adults and very young children, particularly during winter.

Many Australian homes use a reverse-cycle split system or ducted heating, so check which zone serves the bedroom before changing settings. If cold air seems to arrive at the window rather than the bed, prevent window drafts by sealing gaps around frames, sashes and doors. Drawn curtains provide another layer at night, while keeping the bedroom door closed limits warm air moving in from the rest of the house.

In summer, a west-facing bedroom can become uncomfortable by early afternoon, even when other rooms remain cool. Set cooling around 24–26°C during the day and let the room cool before bedtime where possible. Roof insulation is common in Australian homes, but a ceiling fan on its lowest setting can still make the air feel more comfortable without lowering the thermostat.

living rooms and shared spaces

The living room changes function throughout the day, making it the most flexible space in the house. Start with 20–22°C for heating and 24–25°C for cooling, adjusting as the number of occupants changes. A reading room occupied by one person may suit 21°C, whereas a family gathering often feels better near 22°C. Large groups also add body heat, so a slightly lower setting can remain comfortable.

Direct afternoon sun can raise the effective temperature well beyond what the thermostat suggests. In Brisbane’s humid summer afternoons, keep blinds or curtains closed on sun-facing windows and use the cooling setting before the room becomes stuffy. Ceiling fans improve air movement, and a reverse-direction fan at low speed can distribute warm air during winter without creating an uncomfortable draft.

Keep heating at a moderate level while the room is occupied, then use a schedule or timer to reduce it once the space has warmed. If the lounge shares a ducted system with unused bedrooms, check the zoning controls before operating the whole system. Small, regular changes generally create steadier comfort than switching between cold and very warm settings throughout the evening.

Space	Heating setting	Cooling setting	Comfort notes
Living room	20–22°C	24–25°C	Allow for the number of people and direct sunlight
Bedroom	18–20°C	23–25°C	Use 21–22°C for young children and older adults
Kitchen	18–20°C	24–26°C	Cooking heat often makes a lower setting sufficient
Bathroom	22–24°C	24–26°C	Operate the exhaust fan after showers and baths
Home office	20–21°C	24–25°C	Keep equipment away from direct sun and vents
Children’s room	20–22°C	24–25°C	Check bedding and bedding dampness before changing the room

kitchens, bathrooms and laundry spaces

Kitchens generate considerable heat through cooking, dishwashing and running appliances, so they do not need the same heating level as a lounge. Set heating around 18–20°C during cooler periods, primarily for comfort rather than maximum warmth. During summer, 24–26°C usually works well, especially if the rangehood or extractor removes steam and cooking smells.

Bathrooms cool quickly because tiled surfaces absorb warmth and moisture. A heating setting of 22–24°C makes the space usable on a chilly morning, while cooling around 24–26°C prevents the room from feeling oppressive before a shower. Use the exhaust fan during and after bathing to remove condensation, reducing the likelihood of slippery floors, peeling paint and mould around the room’s edges.

Laundry drying adds moisture to the house, particularly when warm air meets cool floors and walls. Keep the space ventilated, open internal doors after the washing finishes and avoid drying large amounts of clothing indoors on humid days. If dampness remains, a dehumidifier can help, but airflow and an appropriate indoor humidity reading should guide the decision.

humidity, airflow and seasonal changes

Humidity changes how a temperature feels. During cooler months, indoor relative humidity of roughly 30–50% helps limit condensation on windows and walls. In warmer weather, around 40–60% is comfortable where the outdoor conditions allow it. Sydney’s coastal humidity can make rooms feel clammy, while Perth’s dry air may contribute to cracked timber floors or discomfort around sensitive skin.

A smart humidistat can monitor the room and operate suitable equipment, but it works best alongside sensible ventilation. To balance indoor humidity, use exhaust fans in the bathroom and laundry, keep windows appropriately closed during humid weather and dry laundry outside when possible. Avoid pushing a dehumidifier into an already dry room, as excessive moisture removal can create its own problems.

Seasonal changes deserve attention because no single setting suits every month. Melbourne’s rapid shifts between warm and cool days call for gradual adjustments rather than abrupt changes. In Adelaide, hot days can be followed by much cooler evenings, making a heating schedule useful for early mornings. Adjust by 1–2°C at a time and allow the building to respond before judging the result.

smart controls and heating care

A programmable thermostat is most useful when it follows the household’s routine. Warm the bedroom shortly before bedtime, lower the living room setting when everyone leaves and restore a comfortable temperature for the evening. Increase cooling only when occupied space feels warm; setting an air conditioner to its coldest available level rarely improves comfort further and often wastes electricity.

Good maintenance helps prevent HVAC breakdowns by reducing strain on the equipment and catching dirty filters or worn components early. Check filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly in homes with pets, dust or coastal salt. Arrange professional servicing for refrigerant, electrical faults or unusual noises, and use a licensed technician for work involving fixed wiring.

Electric reverse-cycle heating is common in Australian homes, especially where ducted systems provide central control. A small split system can be practical for one occupied room, while a ducted installation may be more efficient when several rooms are used. Check zoning before heating empty spaces, and consider off-peak electricity windows where your plan supports them. Solar-powered daytime heating can also reduce reliance on the grid during sunny periods.

comfort you can keep year-round

Comfortable rooms rarely depend on one exact number. They result from a suitable temperature, steady airflow, controlled humidity and equipment that works properly. Begin with the figures provided, watch how the room responds and adjust gradually. The same setting may need to be lower in a sunny Perth lounge than in a shaded bedroom in Hobart.

Make one measured adjustment tonight: set the bedroom for sleep, choose 20–22°C for the living room on a cool day and note how each room feels by morning. Use the ComfortGuard search field with a broad keyword such as thermostat, humidity, drafts or air conditioning if a long search phrase returns no matching content. Smaller searches make it easier to find relevant guidance. Keep the settings that deliver steady comfort with less power, and revisit them as the seasons change.