Bathroom temperature: what’s the ideal level?
Stepping out of a warm shower only to feel cold again is something no one wants. Are you one of those people who preheats the bathroom at night to enjoy a comfortable temperature in the morning? Or do you avoid turning on the bathroom heating altogether? In this article, we explain what the ideal bathroom temperature is.
What temperature should the bathroom be?
While the bedroom shouldn’t be too warm to avoid sweating at night, bathrooms that are too cold feel uncomfortable. This is mainly because we shower without clothes, so the protective layer of clothing is missing. For quick handwashing, however, high temperatures are less necessary—which is why guest bathrooms are usually heated less than main bathrooms.
Experts recommend a bathroom temperature of around 21–24°C. On a radiator thermostat, this corresponds roughly to levels 3–4.
The thermostat levels generally correspond to the following room temperatures:
• 0: Off
• * (asterisk): 5–6°C (frost protection setting to prevent freezing)
• Level 1: 12°C
• Level 2: 16°C
• Level 3: 20°C
• Level 4: 24°C
• Level 5: 28°C
So the level you set does not determine how quickly a room heats up, but rather the temperature that will be reached. The marks between the numbers allow you to set intermediate temperatures—for example, about 22°C between levels 3 and 4.
Heating the bathroom correctly: winter vs. summer
Consumer experts recommend a minimum temperature of 16–18°C in all living and sleeping areas. In summer, higher temperatures are common and usually not an issue, but in winter you should ensure the temperature does not fall below this level. This is mainly because in older buildings or those with poor insulation, the risk of mold growth is very high. Large temperature differences between rooms can further increase this risk.
Even if you don’t need to heat the bathroom, cold tiles can feel uncomfortable. Soft bath mats help keep your feet warm while also protecting the floor from moisture. If you’re planning a future bathroom renovation, installing underfloor heating can also help prevent cold feet.
Structural differences: temperature & humidity
A small bathroom heats up faster than a large one, and windows also affect room temperature.
In bathrooms with windows, you should not only ventilate right after showering or bathing to reduce humidity, but also regularly throughout the day. Shock ventilation—fully opening the window—does affect the room temperature. In summer, it’s best to ventilate early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid overheating the room. In winter, you should be careful not to let the room cool down too much, as reheating requires more energy.
Interior bathrooms without windows are not ventilated naturally, and outside temperatures do not directly affect them. If your bathroom has no window, a ventilation system or exhaust fan is recommended to regulate humidity. Heating can then be adjusted as needed.
Consider your personal comfort temperature
Whether you really need to heat your bathroom to 24°C depends on your personal preference. Maybe you put on a cozy bathrobe right after showering and are comfortable at a lower temperature? Or perhaps even 24°C still feels too cold to you? In addition to a warm bathrobe and a soft towel, sometimes the only solution is simply turning up the heating.