woman standing touching thermostat

Shared living (especially with someone you really love) can have several health and lifestyle benefits. But an ongoing Thermostat War isn’t one of them.

While some shiver at even the thought of letting temperatures drop below 72 degrees inside, others may feel claustrophobic and dragged down without a bit of briskness in the air. One of you may be wary of the heating or cooling bill, while the other may choose to spend more on that line item than groceries and streaming services.

You wouldn’t be alone in this conundrum. In fact, a 2020 study revealed that 75 percent of participating couples argue over where to set the thermostat.

So how do you solve the problem without letting things get too heated — or freezing each other out?

Meet in the Middle

Good, old-fashioned compromise may be part of the solution. A fun suggestion could be to flip a coin together, setting the thermostat to the preferred temperature of whomever wins the toss. Then each day afterward, increase or decrease the setting by two degrees until you find a comfortable level you can both live with.

Extra blankets, housecoats or slippers, portable heaters or fans, and spray bottles filled with ice water are other tools you may use to help you stay cooler or warmer without continually messing with the thermostat dial.

Program Temperature Zones

Temperature zoning divides a home up into two or more separate areas for heating and cooling. This involves professional installation of motorized dampers in your existing duct system, which are connected to independent programmable thermostats. Each thermostat is wired to a centrally-placed control panel, which allows you to conveniently program each zone from a single location.

Programming with a timer may also help. “To make things fair, we’ve decided to put our heating on a timer from 7 am until 9 am so it’s not too icy when we get out of bed,” one interviewee told Stylist, “and then again from 5 pm until 9 pm as it gets colder at night.”

Make Your Equipment Smarter

One of the best ways to resolve temperature battles is to upgrade to a smart thermostat or by installing smart air vents. “Both solutions have their advantages and disadvantages,” Consumer Reports acknowledges. “Smart thermostats with remote sensors are more affordable than smart vents,” they explain, “but they’re best for averaging the temperature across multiple rooms. Smart vent covers allow you to actually redirect airflow and heat or cool individual rooms to precise temperatures. But they cost more.”

Beyond being conveniently programmable from your phone and other devices, smart thermostats are able to “learn” your heating and cooling habits, and eventually adjust accordingly. Which will ultimately save you money. Though a smart thermostat won’t allow you to adjust temperatures in individual rooms the way smart vents will, they may allow you to find the right patterns for your compromises.

Keep Your Systems Well Maintained

A smoothly-running HVAC system will keep everyone happier. Test your AC unit now while temperatures are still cool. Make sure vents, drains, and condensers are all clean. And schedule a preventative maintenance appointment well before you think you need it.

Though we may not be able to fix every temperature spat in your home, our knowledgeable staff will make sure your equipment isn’t part of the problem. Connect with us online or call us at 770-995-7585 for an appointment or advice.