The microclimate of the home is an integral part of everyday life, affecting both physical and mental health. Excessive humidity, elevated levels of carbon dioxide or dry air can have a significant impact on quality of life. Elektrum Energy Efficiency Centre experts share their knowledge on the most important factors affecting the microclimate of your home and recommendations on how to make your environment healthier.

1. Temperature

Room temperature not only impacts well-being but also affects health. A too-high temperature can cause discomfort, fatigue and even dehydration, while a too-low temperature can cause shivering and contribute to colds or more serious health problems, especially for the elderly and young children. The recommended daytime temperature is +20 to +22 °C, while at night we advise lowering the temperature by 3 to 4 °C to improve your sleep and boost your immunity.

Expert’s tips:

• If possible, use programmable thermostats to maintain a stable and comfortable temperature. They allow you to automatically adjust the temperature at different times of the day, helping to ensure a comfortable temperature while also reducing energy consumption. Thermostats reduce the need for human involvement in manual temperature control, as it is automated.
• The higher the heat loss in a home, the more energy is needed to maintain the heating or cooling temperature. To keep the warmth, seal windows and doors, as well as insulate external walls, attics and basements. A well-insulated home not only helps to keep the heat in the winter but also heats up less in the summer.

2. Humidity level

Excessive humidity affects both buildings and human health. The ideal humidity level is 40 to 60%. If it is elevated, water droplets can condense on cold surfaces such as window frames and walls, which can contribute to mould. This not only damages the building but also harms the health of its occupants by releasing allergens, mycotoxins and unpleasant odours into the air. Overly dry air can also be bad for your health, causing dry skin, irritation of the airways and discomfort.

Expert’s tips:

• You can measure the humidity level with a hygrometer, which can be bought in household goods shops. To humidify the air in the room, especially during the heating season, it is advisable to place an open bowl of water on the radiators or spread a damp cloth in the room. However, if you cannot increase the humidity level, you can buy an electrically operated humidifier, which helps to achieve the required humidity level and create a favourable micro-environment.
• In summer and other seasons when the air tends to be too humid, moisture absorbers and dehumidifiers are recommended to help both reduce humidity locally and prevent the growth of various fungi and mould.
• Regular ventilation will help regulate the humidity level in the room.
• Houseplants are recommended to improve air quality. They not only brighten up the interior and improve well-being, but also act as natural air filters by absorbing airborne toxins.

3. Air quality

Fresh air is one of the key elements for good health, as oxygen plays an important role in human physiological processes. One of the most important indoor climate indicators is the level of carbon dioxide (CO_^₂) in a room. This is the most widely used parameter for indoor air quality and is measured in parts per million or "ppm". High levels of carbon dioxide (CO_^₂) in the air can cause drowsiness and shortness of breath and contribute to fatigue, reducing mental efficiency by 50 to 70%.

Expert’s tips

• The simplest way to improve the air quality in your home is to ventilate effectively – open the windows fully for a few minutes at least once an hour! At the same time, it is advisable to turn off the heaters and radiators when ventilating rooms during the cold season to avoid unnecessary heat consumption. For radiators with heat control, it is recommended to select the mode marked with an asterisk (*) and return to the previous mode after ventilation is completed.
• It is advisable to regularly check the ventilation system for maintenance and improvements.
• Clean your house regularly to reduce the build-up of dust and allergens. Pay particular attention to carpets, curtains and furniture.
• To make sure your home always has a good microclimate, it is advisable to use an air quality sensor that continuously monitors the CO_^₂ level, temperature and humidity in the room.

4. Lighting

Lighting has a significant impact on well-being and work capacity, emotional state, sleep cycles and overall health.

Natural light helps regulate biological rhythms and increases serotonin levels, which improves people’s mood while boosting productivity and concentration. Using natural light can reduce the need for artificial lighting and save energy. So when you wake up in the morning, it’s a good idea to open the curtains and blinds to let light in. Mirrors and other reflective interior elements, as well as lighter colours, will also add light to the home.

Artificial lighting is equally important, as it has a significant impact on the atmosphere and mood of a room. Warm light (2700–3000 K) creates a cosy and relaxing atmosphere, while cold light (5000–6500 K) is suitable for the workplace as it is better for concentration.

Expert’s tips:

• During daylight hours, make sure windows are not covered by thick curtains or blocked by furniture. Choose light and transparent curtains to maximise natural light.
• Choose light furniture and wall colours that reflect light and brighten the rooms.
• Choose LED bulbs as they are more energy efficient and use less electricity.
• Consider installing lighting controls to help reduce power consumption.

Take a look at here for further useful tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency and microclimate, and to get inspiration to be more energy and environmentally friendly.