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By Pete McIntyre

BC Hydro report

Bedroom battleground: higher or lower heat?

Feb 12, 2021 | 6:45 AM

Arguments over the temperature in people’s bedrooms can get heated.

A new BC Hydro report suggests a majority of B.C. couples can’t agree on a bedroom temperature at night, and in some cases, the disagreement can lead to separate bedrooms.

The report titled Bedroom battleground: B.C. couples are butting heads over bedroom temperature, finds while more than 80 per cent of British Columbian couples complain to their partner about the temperature in their home, one-third said complaints lead to full-blown arguments and a quarter of these arguments are happening over the bedroom temperature.

A survey commissioned on behalf of the Crown-owned utility found discussions in some homes have escalated to the point where almost 30 per cent have slept in another room, or at least considered it, because it is too hot or too cold in the bedroom. This might be because about three quarters of B.C. couples are going to bed with the heat on higher than the recommended 16 degrees Celsius in the winter months – despite 8 in 10 preferring a cooler bedroom.

While most prefer a cooler bedroom, those who like it a bit warmer have the window to contend with – almost 40 per cent said they often keep a window in the bedroom open at night no matter how cold it is outside, and 14 per cent have fought with their partner over the window being open.

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While the bedroom thermostat is a contentious issue, it is not the only thing B.C. couples can’t agree on in the bedroom. Seventy-eight (78) per cent said their partner does something during the night that they do not like – and snoring is at the top of the list (54 per cent) followed by taking up too much space (26 per cent), and fidgeting/moving too much (26 per cent).

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, BC Hydro recommends the following to help keep the peace in the bedroom:

• Consider compromise: Once you figure out a thermostat compromise, get a programmable thermostat to keep the temperature at the agreed upon number and save up to 15 per cent over the winter.
• Settle for suggested temperatures: from an energy efficiency perspective, BC Hydro does recommend an ideal temperature to set the thermostat at depending on what individuals are doing in the home, for example: o 16 degrees Celsius when away from home or sleeping; o 21 degrees Celsius when relaxing or watching T.V., and o 18 degrees Celsius when cooking or doing housework.
• Agree to disagree: Using separate duvet covers or wearing warmer or cooler pajamas to bed can help ease temperature tensions. For more ways to save energy and money this winter, visit powersmart.ca.