I could answer my own question, but perhaps that would be a better fit for the marriage blog under the category: “Hot Topics Between Spouses.” For the purposes of this blog I will simply say this: if you marry someone from Hawaii and set up a household in Wisconsin, expect the thermostat to be set somewhere in the mid-70s. That said; I was surprised to learn that where a person was born and raised may not influence how high a thermostat is set as much as gender.
Last month a leading national advertising agency surveyed 800 households to find out who controls the inside temperature—the man or the woman. Researchers asked whether or not ONE person was in charge of adjusting the thermostat at home, 62% answered “yes.” However, (surprise, surprise) who controls the dial depends on whom you ask. According to the survey, 70% of women report that they control the home thermostat, while 56% of men say they are in charge. (This, of course, came as no surprise to my male family members who say it is simply not worth enduring the “torment,” which ensues as a result of lowering the heat. Personally, I take issue with the word “torment,” but I’ll save that for another blog.)
Respondents were asked what they would do if their partner/spouse made it too warm or too cold. A whopping 89% of all respondents said they would “take some action.” More than one-third of men (35%) said they would suggest a change or ask permission of their spouse/partner before touching the dial (wise men—-wink, wink). Conversely, the survey found 80% of women reported they would just change the temperature without consulting their spouse/partner.
Looking at those results it stands to reason that more than two-thirds of respondents (67%) said they and their spouse/partner differ on a comfortable home temperature. So who likes to lounge in lower temperatures? According to the survey, gender and age are both factors.
The survey found that younger male respondents (ages 21-44) said they prefer it cooler than their spouses/partners. While younger female respondents said they prefer it warmer than their spouses/partners. However, respondents age 45 and up said there was just about a 50/50 split on which partner/spouse wanted it warmer or cooler.
Who controls the thermostat in your home?
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