The thermostat says 20 degrees, but you still find yourself crawling under a blanket. It's not your imagination: the temperature you feel (the perceived temperature) depends on more than just the number on the thermostat.
Why does it feel colder than 20 degrees?
Humidity
Dry air, especially in winter when the heating is on, can make a room feel colder than more humid air at the same temperature. Your skin loses heat more quickly.
Drafts and air currents
A small air current along your skin, for example through a gap in the window or a ventilation grille, carries heat away from your body more quickly. You notice this more when sitting still than when moving.
Cold surfaces
A cold floor, a poorly insulated exterior wall, or single glazing radiate cold, even if the air itself is 20 degrees. This is called radiant cold and is one of the main causes of a chilly feeling in older homes.
Activity and clothing
Sitting still behind a screen requires much less body heat than being actively engaged. At the same temperature, you will therefore feel colder while working at the office than while doing household chores.
What can you do about this?
- Keep the humidity between 40 and 60 percent for a more comfortable feeling
- Seal drafts around windows, doors, and gaps wherever possible, without completely blocking ventilation
- Place a rug on a cold floor
- Use targeted supplementary heating in the area where you are sitting instead of heating the entire room extra
For that last tip, an electric heater is useful: for example, place a Dynter AirFlow HW2002 close to your workspace or sofa, then you will feel the difference more quickly than if you set the thermostat for the entire living room a few degrees higher. That is often also the more economical solution, because you heat one specific area instead of the entire room.