A new survey suggests couples don't just fight about who's cooking dinner or what time the morning alarm is set for.
They also argue about the thermostat.
A new report commissioned by B.C. Hydro found four in 10 respondents argued over the temperature. Five per cent of couples described their situation as an "all-out thermostat war," according to a press release.
The questionnaire revealed couples will go to great lengths to get their way when it comes to how cold or how hot the home is (yes, we're looking at you Sneaky Sally, who changes the thermostat when your husband's out of the room). More than 60 per cent of those surveyed admitted to adjusting the thermostat when their partner wasn't looking, 50 per cent said they waited for their partner to leave before adjusting the dial and 20 per cent said they played with the temperature just to be annoying.
When asked what was behind their thermostat behaviour, the poll showed respondents are more twice as likely to adjust the thermostat to be more comfortable, than to save money. That's despite the fact heating costs can increase by as much as 140 per cent during the winter months (just ask our editor; her last hydro bill was the equivalent of 60 drinks from Starbucks).
If you like your abode to feel like a balmy Hawaiian resort, cranking up the thermostat won't achieve those results, warns B.C. Hydro.
The Crown corporation says turning it up 10 degrees won't hurry the process along, versus turning it up a degree or two at a time.
It's also not more energy efficient to keep the thermostat at a constant temperature. B.C. Hydro says it's better to adjust it based on the time of day or what activity is going on in the home.
Here are some tips to reduce heating costs:
- Turn the thermostat to 21 C when relaxing or watching TV
- Turn the thermostat to 18 C when cooking or doing housework
- Turn the thermostat to 16 C when away from home or sleeping
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature in the home
- Install weatherstripping around doors and windows
For more information, click HERE.
