Heating correctly

4 min read
Marc Friedrich
Marc Friedrich
Managing Director, MARCK Immobilien AG · Möhlin
Last checked: November 9, 2026

The most important points at a glance

Proper heating mainly means: do not overheat rooms, ventilate briefly and vigorously at regular intervals, and keep radiators free. For a comfortable indoor climate, temperatures in most rooms of 18 to 23 °C are sensible, complemented by a relative humidity of 35 to 60 percent. If you place furniture against exterior walls or ventilate constantly, you risk higher energy consumption and hinder air circulation.

We spend most of our time in enclosed spaces. How comfortable we feel there depends not only on the building but also on heating and ventilation behavior. From our practice, small everyday habits often make the biggest difference for the living climate.

What temperatures are pleasant when heating?

A comfortable and cozy feel is associated with a relative humidity of 35 to 60 percent and temperatures between 19 and 22 °C. For living and dining rooms and the kitchen, 19 to 21 °C is usually sufficient. In the bathroom, 21 to 23 °C is often felt pleasant, while in the bedroom about 18 °C supports restful sleep.

RoomRecommended TemperatureNote
Living and dining rooms19 to 21 °CUsually sufficient for a comfortable indoor climate
Kitchen19 to 21 °COverheating usually provides no added benefit
Bathroom21 to 23 °COften perceived as especially cozy
Bedroomabout 18 °CSupports restful sleep
Recommended room temperatures by area

What helps in everyday life with the right heating?

  • Wear additional sweaters, jackets or similar when cold.
  • When watching TV, use warm cozy blankets to counteract the cold feeling.
  • Ventilate several times a day with brisk, cross-ventilation instead of continuous airing.
  • Do not cover radiators with furniture, curtains or coverings.

In particular in multi-family houses there are often different ideas about the ideal room temperature. This is normal because individual thermal comfort varies from person to person. What is important is not to treat every apartment the same, but to work with clear rules for air exchange, radiators and furniture.

Why ventilation and furniture placement are so important

Only when radiators remain unobstructed can heat be released into the room freely and the thermostat valve function correctly. Especially in older or poorly insulated buildings, large pieces of furniture should be placed at least ten centimeters away from exterior walls. Even better is placement on interior walls, because cold exterior walls otherwise hinder air circulation and moisture can condense.

Attention with cold exterior walls

If furniture stands directly against a cold exterior wall, the wall cools more quickly. This increases the risk of moisture condensation and mold formation. A small distance to the wall improves air circulation and protects the building fabric.

Sufficient ventilation is essential for good indoor air quality. Incorrect ventilation during the heating season leads to higher energy consumption and thus higher heating costs. The most effective approach is several times a day cross-ventilation or short, wide-open window ventilation for a few minutes to refresh the room air quickly without cooling the apartment unnecessarily.

How can you save energy when heating?

To prevent heat losses, windows should be fully closed after ventilation. Closing doors to cooler rooms also helps maintain the desired room temperature. This saves energy and promotes a comfortable living climate.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I ventilate in winter if I want to heat correctly?
The most effective approach is several times daily short or cross-ventilation for a few minutes. This exchanges the air quickly without the apartment cooling unnecessarily. Continuous ventilation is less suitable.
What room temperature is sensible in the bedroom?
For the bedroom, about 18 °C is usually sufficient. This temperature is often perceived as pleasant for restful sleep. More warmth is usually not necessary there.
Why should I not block radiators with furniture?
If radiators are covered by furniture, curtains or coverings, heat cannot freely enter the room. The thermostat valve then does not work correctly. This worsens the room climate and may increase energy consumption.
What is the benefit of keeping distance between furniture and exterior walls?
A distance of at least ten centimeters helps especially in older or less well-insulated buildings. Air can circulate better, the wall cools less, and moisture condenses less often. This also reduces the risk of mold formation.

If you pay attention to temperature, air exchange and free radiators when heating, you can achieve a steadier room climate with little effort. The decisive factor is not maximum warmth, but a balanced relationship between comfort, fresh air and energy consumption. That is exactly what makes heating effective in everyday life.

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