Balancing heating & cooling in your home

We are all different and when it comes to the temperature of our homes, some of us are lizards, others are penguins. Indeed, most couples will attest that deciding on whether to turn the temperature up a notch or open a window is one of the most contested discussions they have.

Part of the problem is that women tend to be slightly colder than men. This means that a comfortable temperature for dad might mean that mom is shivering. Indeed, a study in 2017 showed that 40% of British women were sneaking the dial up on their central heating without their partner knowing! And, when you factor the kids in, things only get more complicated.

So how can you control the heat in your house so that everyone is happy? Is it even possible?

Here are a few solutions and options you might like to consider.

Sort Your Heating Out

The first port of call is to sort your heating and cooling systems. A regular heating and air service check-up will ensure that your HVAC system is working to peak and you aren’t losing out to an inefficient system. Part of the reason that so many houses are cold through the winter and hot through the summer is that the bills are so high. A regular maintenance service should reduce this problem.

You should also make sure that every room is benefitting from your heating and cooling systems. Where possible, you should also allow each room to be separately temperature controlled. This is especially important for bedrooms which should be a little cooler than the rest of your house to ensure a good night’s sleep. Equally, you don’t want to waste money by automatically heating or cooling rooms that aren’t in use.

Thermal Insulation

Whether you live in a hot climate or you dig yourself out of snow each morning, thermal insulation is a really important asset. There are lots of insulation materials you can choose from but don’t stop with your walls. Replacing thin windows with double or triple glazing is a very good idea. In hotter climates, the thermal mass of the building will protect you from the heat of the sun and reduce your need for heating in the evenings. In a colder climate, the building will keep all the heat you generate inside.

If you are in a hotter climate, you might also consider using shutters to keep the sun out through the hottest parts of the day or adding a pergola to shade the side of your house. By turning your house into a super-insulated shell, you reduce the heat transfer from inside to out. This will reduce your bills no matter whether you are trying to heat or cool your space.

So now that you have your heating system solved, how do you find a compromise?

Rugs and Blankets

For women who tend to feel colder, adding rugs is a really good idea. Hard floors can be really cold to touch whereas a rug or carpet will trap heat a little better. Thick woolen rugs are ideal for trapping heat but if you just want a warmer surface, try woven rugs instead. Layering rugs is a good trick if you don’t have much insulation under your floor. This is also a popular interior design fashion at the moment so there’s not a moment to lose!

Another nice idea is to have a basket of blankets in your common rooms. This way, colder people can wrap themselves up in a nice fabric while the warmer folk can sit comfortably in their shorts and t-shirts. Similarly, putting cushions on chairs can help you warm up.

One thing to be aware of is that if you are sitting still while your family are rushing around, you are more likely to feel the cold than they are. Equally, they are more likely to feel hot! When you are sitting still, it’s a bit easier to introduce heat so try to compromise on a temperature that everyone is happy moving around in and then put a sweater on if you are sat still!

Bringing in Fresh Air

Opening up the windows to bring in some fresh air is always a good idea. If you are the hot person in the relationship, you will really appreciate getting some air circulating through the house. Even if it is cold outside, throwing open a window can help to reduce indoor pollution and clear out any musty smells. Just 5 minutes each day is all you need.

Opening a window is also an easy way to cool down one room without having to switch on the air conditioning or reduce the temperature of the whole house. Lots of houses now have large sliding doors that link the indoor and outdoor spaces really well. If you have this option, opening up your house will make a big difference, not just to your temperature, but to your overall mood.

Sharing a Bedroom

The bedroom is definitely where the hot vs cold battle really commences. While one of you shivers, the other one is roasting and neither of you get the refreshing night you hoped for. As a very general rule, your bedroom should be around 60-70 degrees fahrenheit. This temperature is ideal for allowing your body to relax and you to drift off to dreamland.

However, you should also consider using blankets here too. While your partner might be quite happy with just a sheet, you can layer single blankets up on your side of the bed giving you the warmth and comfort you need. Some research has even suggested that weighted blankets can help you get a better night’s sleep and layering up your blankets is the perfect way to achieve this effect.  

Over time, it’s likely that you and your family will reach a sort of equilibrium with your temperature. But until that point, using a couple of these tricks will help you stay comfortable. And you can always turn the thermometer up when your partner isn’t looking!

Share this: