It can be challenging to stay comfortable indoors, sometimes, especially during the summer months when temperatures are soaring, and it feels like there is no escape from the heat. But should you be worried about high indoor temperatures? Just how hot is too hot inside a house?
Hot temperatures of 78°F (25.56°C) or over are too hot for inside a house. It’s recommended to maintain around 72°F (22.22°C) to stay comfortable indoors for long durations. If your house is too hot consistently, this could lead to health problems such as heat stroke, heart attack, and dehydration.
In this article, I’ll explain the potential dangers of prolonged exposure to warmer temperatures and how to tell if it’s too hot inside your home. I’ll also share ways you can make the inside of your house feel cooler.
The Dangers of High Indoor Temperatures
High indoor temperatures can cause several health problems, including heatstroke, heart attack, and dehydration. Heatstroke is the most severe condition caused by high temperatures.
It occurs when the body’s temperature rises to 104°F (40°C) or higher and can lead to death if not treated quickly. Symptoms of heatstroke include:
- Redness in the skin
- Severe headache
- Sweating profusely without relief after 20 minutes or more of rest
- Dehydration
Every day, thousands of people get exposed to hot indoor environments.
For example, some people work in warehouses or factories that get very hot during the summer months and never cool off because they lack air conditioning.
Others live in areas with high heat levels but have few resources for keeping their homes at a comfortable temperature, leaving these individuals at risk for developing health problems from the heat.
If you or someone you know is suffering from heatstroke, call 911 immediately. Please don’t wait until it feels better before getting medical attention because this could be fatal.
If the person can talk but has trouble speaking due to lack of oxygen supply, they may need an oxygen mask put on them which would provide some relief.
How To Tell If Your House Is Too Hot
When living in a hot climate or during the hottest months of summer, your home can potentially become too hot to be comfortable.
If you have pets or small children, it’s essential to keep an eye on them to help determine whether or not your house is too hot. In particular, they’re more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke or dehydration.
For example, if you notice that your children have trouble sleeping at night due to being uncomfortable in their bedrooms, it may be too hot inside.
According to studies around the U.S, about 75% of the population is dehydrated.
It’s likely that sleeping in warmer conditions is a contributing factor.
One way to tell if your house is too hot is to check the temperature regularly.
For example, if it’s consistently above 78°F (25.56°C), then your home might be too warm.
Also, be aware of excessive sweating or feeling lightheaded, as these are signs that your home may be too hot.
If you experience either of these symptoms, try adjusting the thermostat or opening a window to let in some fresh air.
How To Cool Down a Hot House
If you’re feeling too hot inside your house, there are a few things you can do to try to bring temperatures down, including:
- Create a breeze: Try opening your windows to allow some airflow or use fans or an air conditioner to create a breeze and help keep your house cool. Keep in mind, air-conditioning will increase your energy bills, so it’s best to only use it when necessary.
- Keep the sun out of your home.:This is easily done by closing blinds and curtains.
- Keep your house well insulated: Doing this will help keep the cool air in and avoid being heated by the sun. You can insulate your roof, walls, floors and basement with insulation products such as glass wool or polystyrene foam that you can buy at your local hardware store.
- Open the attic door to help cooling the house: This simple action will let the hot air escape from the attic resulting in a cooler house and will prevent the wood sap forming in your attic.
There are also some things you can do to help keep yourself cool, such as:
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
- Take a cold shower or bath
- Try sleeping in a cooler room or even outside in a shady spot
Conclusion
The answer for how hot is too hot inside a house will vary from person to person, as what’s comfortable for one may be unbearable for another.
However, it’s best to avoid being inside in temperatures higher than 78°F (25.56°C) for too long, as you risk suffering heat-related illnesses.
Indoor temperatures around 72°F (22.22°C) are considered ideal for optimal comfort and minimal health risks.
Cheers, tools owners!
