A common problem between genders centers around the thermostat – how hot or cold should the temperature be? Over one-third of the respondents to a recent survey said that there is a disagreement in their home about the temperature setting.
Often, although not always, the woman prefers that the thermostat be set slightly warmer than does the man.
The same is often true for the office setting in which women prefer a higher thermostat setting than their male counterparts. Much of the difference of what feels comfortable has physiological explanations. Men have a higher percentage of muscle than women, and when muscles move, they produce heat. Women’s bodies, on the other hand, have a slower rate of metabolism, which makes them feel colder. So what’s the solution to thermostat wars? Typically one person will sabotage the other by changing the temperature when the other isn’t looking. At the office, thermostats are often locked in order to prevent such tactics. One solution is to hire a reputable heating and air conditioning specialist to access the problem and suggest possible solutions. HVAC contractors have discovered that when employers ignore the problem, employees will find their own solutions. They advise management that they will want to avoid having staff members block air vents (making the a/c and heater work harder and use more electricity) and use portable space heaters and fans (which are fire hazards and may cause the HVAC system to work harder). HVAC contractors often suggest creative solutions, such as rearranging where employees are seated. When seated near windows, for example, there may be a significant difference in temperature from the rest of the office. Ultimately, employers need to address the comfort of their employees if they want the best productivity.