It’s me or the thermostat!

Temperatures may be dropping but tempers could be set to rise, according to new research which reveals that nearly 36% of people in the South West argue with their partners or housemates over the central heating.

As the nights are getting colder, things could be turning frosty in more ways than one. New research commissioned by Toolstation, the trade and DIY supplier, reveals that over a third of the South West argue with their partners or housemates over the central heating – on or off? Hotter or colder?

The survey, conducted this month, showed that turning on the heating caused more than just petty squabbles – with nearly 32% experiencing actual ‘marital strife’. Meanwhile, 18% have had ‘constant disagreements’ about the thermostat setting and 15% have had such a disagreement that someone has actually moved out!

And it could be that those disagreements don’t just happen in the winter as Toolstation’s research also revealed that nearly 38% of people in the South West switch on their central heating whenever they feel chilly, no matter what time of year it is. A steadfast 12% won’t put the heating on until November, no matter how cold it gets and a hardy 33% wait until putting on a jumper is not enough.

It might be colder up north, but inside it’s pretty toasty! Despite stereotypes of ‘tough northerners’, the survey revealed that it’s actually those in the South West who are hardiest, with just 38% turning on the heating whenever they feel chilly, compared with 55% in the North East and North West and 60% in Scotland.

John Meaden, Director of Marketing at Toolstation, says: “We conducted this survey to gain more understanding about homeowners’ behaviour and attitude towards central heating and we certainly surprised by the results. Although most of us have had disagreements about the central heating at some point, we were quite shocked that for some people in the South West, it leads to marital strife! With ever-evolving technology in heating controls, perhaps these arguments will soon become a thing of the past.”

With a cold winter predicted for the South West this year, it seems hot tempers could be inevitable.