Male and female residents of a household may frequently bicker over the central air conditioning temperature. Although having different preferences for the thermostat setting may be aggravating, there are scientific reasons why this occurs. Taking that into account could make everyone more understanding. The residents can use certain strategies so everyone is more comfortable.
Relevant Research
On average, women like the temperature to be 77 degrees Fahrenheit, but men like it to be 72. The main reason is that men generally have a higher muscle-to-fat ratio than women do. Muscle cells produce more heat than fat cells do. Women also are smaller on average, resulting in a lower resting metabolic rate. That explains why so many households have men turning the thermostat down in the summertime and women turning it back up.
Federal Guidelines
Women who want the thermostat set higher can support their preference with information from the federal government. The Department of Energy recommends a thermostat setting of 78 degrees for central air when someone is home. The Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program says it should be 85 degrees during the day.
Even women who are frustrated with the home's chilly temperatures are unlikely to accept the 85-degree guideline. Everyone in the household may wonder what the point of central air is at that level. Agreeing on the moderate recommendation is a step toward a more peaceful home and reduced electric bills.
Adding Zones
Having a heating and cooling contractor add zones to the existing system is a way for a man and woman to both feel entirely comfortable when they are both home but not in the same room. The process works with electronically controlled dampers installed inside the duct pipes. The dampers function as valves, controlling the flow of cool air to various areas of the building.
Another advantage is the significantly increased energy efficiency with a zoned system. Since this is used for heating as well, energy savings should be noticeable year-round.
Compromising
Male and female residents might compromise when they watch TV or have dinner together. The thermostat could be set between their two favorite temperatures, perhaps at 75 degrees.
Concluding Thoughts
With the knowledge that a scientific reason explains temperature preferences, household residents are more amenable to making changes. Having a zoned system boosts energy efficiency as well as comfort. Reach out to a professional who provides air conditioning services for more information.
My name is Maura, and I am certified in HVAC installation and repair. I have many clients who call me in a panic because they have turned on their air conditioners and nothing has happened. Your air conditioning technician will get to you as soon as possible, but there are some steps you can take while you are waiting. You might just find that you are able to fix the problem on your own, although you will still want to have a professional assess the situation. In this blog I will take you through some common reasons your air conditioner might not be working and show you some easy temporary solutions.