BC Hydro report says many couples are hot at each other over household temperature control

BC Hydro report says many couples are hot at each other over household temperature control
CHEK

Photo courtesy CBC.

Photo courtesy CBC.

As cold temperatures grip the province, a new BC Hydro report suggests the heat is rising among couples over who controls the thermostat.

A survey commissioned by BC Hydro finds four-in-10 respondents admit to arguing over the temperature in the house, with five per cent describing their situation as an “all-out thermostat war.”

BC Hydro says the survey revealed one of the most argued topics in B.C. homes is what to set the temperature at, ahead of who does the cooking or who forgot to turn off the lights when leaving the home.

Who has control of the remote is considered a more contentious argument.

BC Hydro says it found more than 60 per cent admitted to adjusting the thermostat when their partner was not looking, while 50 per cent say they have waited for their partner to leave the home before turning the dial.

The survey says turning the temperature up or down just to annoy their partner was admitted to by 20 per cent of respondents.

The utility says couples will go to great lengths to get their way in the temperature war, and twice as many are motivated by comfort more than savings.

The report says many arguments are based on misconceptions, such as cranking up the thermostat to heat the home faster, or believing it is more energy efficient to keep the temperature steady or using a space heater in a larger room.

BC Hydro recommends couples set the thermostat to 21 degrees Celsius when relaxing at home, 18 degrees Celsius when cooking or doing housework and 16 degrees when away from home or sleeping.

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