May 13, 2016

It is not unusual for a family to argue over the thermostat settings.

Not everyone within a household prefers the same room temperature. Families often have disagreements over the heat settings; one person wants to crank up the heat and others want to bring it down a bit. If you are looking for a solution to this problem, our St. Louis HVAC expert has some simple tips for you and your family.

Conflict over temperatures generally occur on gender lines as women tend to have slower metabolic rates compared to men, so they feel the cold more. A recent study has also shown that air-conditioned offices are designed for male employees, while women are left to shiver in the middle of summer. Here are some tips for those who find themselves in the middle of the battle over room temperatures.

Space Heaters

Modern space heaters are relatively efficient and considered safe as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Space heaters offer an easy solution to allow a family member to increase the temperature of his or her room while others can keep the thermostat at the temperature they desire.

Improve Your HVAC System’s Efficiency

If your arguments over the furnace revolve around money, consider making some efficiency upgrades to save money while allowing a family member to turn up the heat by a degree or two without worrying about high energy bills. Scheduled HVAC maintenance and improving insulation can go a long way in improving the efficiency of your heating system. Opening and closing the curtains at the right time of day to take advantage of the sun can also help.

HVAC Zoning System

Space heaters are not required in different rooms to maintain different temperatures. Invest in smart vents and a smart thermostat to customize a zoning system in your home. This allows different family members to heat their room to a temperature of their choice.

Practical Considerations

Even though you can try to please everyone, sometimes it is not possible to meet everyone’s preferred temperature. Family members may have to compromise. If one of you is feeling too cold, using another blanket can be helpful rather than fighting over the thermostat settings.