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Thermostat wars a common household dispute, survey finds
June 17, 2014 - Ontarians are apparently “hot under the collar” when it comes to indoor temperature according to a Direct Energy survey, which shows 1 in 5 (21%) Ontario households cannot agree to what temperature the thermostat should be set. Not only are Ontarians disagreeing on the temperature, some are sneaky about it—16% admit they’ve changed the temperature when their partner wasn’t looking.
June 17, 2014 By Anthony Capkun
Among the options presented in the survey, thermostat wars are the third-most common household dispute, with 24% indicating they have argued or disagreed about it with others in the home. Only disputes over control of the TV remote (28%) and cleaning the toilet (27%) were more common.
“Ontarians should also remember that setting the thermostat to a lower temperature is just one way of keeping the house cool, and should be taking advantage of other easy methods to stay comfortable and save money this summer,” said Dave Walton, director of home ideas for Direct Energy. “From small changes to larger upgrades, Ontarians can take control of their energy bills.”
Here are a few tips from Direct Energy:
• Install a programmable thermostat. Set the times and temperatures to match your schedule. Also, consider setting the thermostat to turn Off your air-conditioner at night when the outdoor temperature cools down. Better yet, consider installing a smart thermostat. These devices will begin to adjust your homes temperature after learning your cooling habits.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air. Fan blades should operate in a counter-clockwise direction in the summer to move the air downwards and maximize cool air circulation (so the A/C doesn’t have to work as hard).
• Replace furnace filters every three months. This will help your A/C more efficiently. Clogged filters mean that furnace motors must work harder and use more energy.
• Close the curtains and drapes. Before you leave the house for work in the morning, remember to close the curtains and drapes, especially on South- and West-facing windows. This will help block out the high summer sun and stop the home from getting too hot inside.
• Give your A/C unit some shade. Without blocking airflow, plant a small tree or shrubs around your unit. Try to maintain at least 24 in. of clearance around your outdoor A/C unit from any landscaping.
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