There is no legal standard for your bedroom temperature; a lot depends on what you find comfortable. For energy savings, Milieu Centraal recommends setting the thermostat to 15 degrees at night and turning off the heating in bedrooms when you are not there. If you still want it cozy in bed, you can briefly preheat the room.
Direct answer: choose a bedroom temperature that is comfortable for you, but keep it economical. Milieu Centraal recommends 15 degrees at night as a thermostat setting and suggests a hot water bottle or electric blanket to stay warm in bed. A small heater can help warm up the room briefly before bedtime.
What is the best temperature for the bedroom in winter?
There is no generally accepted ideal temperature. People differ in their perception of warmth, and the duvet, clothing, and age play a role. Many people sleep comfortably in a room that is cooler than the living room, but those who are cold in bed or have a poorly insulated room may prefer it a bit warmer. Therefore, try gradually: set the temperature one degree lower and see if you sleep well.
For energy, the direction is clearer. Milieu Centraal calculates that 15 degrees at night saves approximately €60 per year and that turning off the heating on the sleeping floor yields approximately €80 per year. Those amounts are calculated based on a gas price of €1.37 per m³, so your savings may vary. If you have underfloor heating or a fully electric heat pump, the same page recommends 17 or 18 degrees, because otherwise it takes too long to heat up.
Heating the bedroom without heating the whole house
A cold bedroom does not have to be an inconvenience. Those who set the central heating low at night can briefly warm up the room before going to bed. A hot water bottle or electric blanket is, according to Milieu Centraal, a good way to stay warm. For those who quickly want some extra warmth, an electric heater is an option, provided you use it wisely and safely. Milieu Centraal, however, calls an electric heater as supplementary heating not a good idea for long-term use, because it can end up being expensive. So use it briefly and specifically, not as a replacement for your heating.
For more practical tips, read can you use an electric heater in the bedroom? and is an electric heater more economical than central heating?.
How much does it cost to briefly heat the bedroom?
It is good to know what a brief warming period costs. A heater of 1500 to 2000 watts uses 1.5 to 2 kWh per hour when it runs at full power. With an assumption of 30 cents per kWh, that comes down to approximately 45 to 60 cents per hour. Warming up for half an hour then only costs a few tens of euro cents, while heating all night costs many times that. You can find more calculation examples in how much does an electric heater cost per hour?.
| Approach | Benefit | Point of attention |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the thermostat low at home, briefly preheat the room | Comfortable when going to bed | Do not let it run at full power all night |
| Hot water bottle or electric blanket | Warm in bed, low consumption | Follow the instructions for use |
| Turn off the heating in the bedroom when you are not there | Savings according to Milieu Centraal | Do ventilate, to prevent moisture |
Do not forget to ventilate
Even in a cold bedroom, you must ventilate. Milieu Centraal writes: always ventilate, day and night, all year round. Those who cool the room too much and do not ventilate will get moisture, condensation on windows, and a chance of mold more quickly. Open a vent or window slightly and keep the indoor temperature reasonably stable.
Product description: Dynter HW2002 electric heater
Product name: AirFlow HW2002 Electric Heater
Power: 1500 to 2000 W, adjustable
Suitable for: spaces up to 40 m²
Temperature: adjustable from 15 °C to 45 °C
Operation: LCD touchscreen and remote control, with timer function
Safety: overheating protection and fall detection, after which the heater automatically switches off
Extra: rotating function for even heat distribution and 1.7 m cable
Do you want to heat your bedroom briefly and specifically? Then check out the Dynter HW2002 electric heater or discover all models in the heater collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is 15 degrees too cold to fall asleep?
That is personal. Milieu Centraal mentions 15 degrees as a thermostat setting at night to save energy. If you are cold in bed, then set the temperature higher or use a hot water bottle or electric blanket.
Should the heating in the bedroom be completely off?
Milieu Centraal advises turning off the heating in bedrooms when you are not there. Do make sure to ventilate, otherwise moisture and mold will develop more quickly.
Can I leave a heater on all night?
Use the timer function and do not let a heater run unnecessarily long. Always follow the instructions for use and do not use the heater unattended if the manual advises against it.
How do I prevent moisture in a cold bedroom?
Keep ventilating, and do not switch to a completely cold room without air circulation. A dehumidifier can help if moisture still develops.