(Indianapolis, IN)  When the weather outside is frightful this winter, many people may not find the environment indoors to be delightful.

     In fact, one heating system contractor (According to Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems) finds that 81 percent us aren't always comfortable with the temperature indoors during winter.

     That may be why some are quick to raise the thermostat at home or in the office or in between.  That means burning more energy - and dollars.

      So who is reaching for the thermostat and why?

     Well, comfort was invaluable to a significant number of those asked. So important, in fact, that when asked to give something up in exchange for comfort in their home, many men who responded to the survey would sacrifice consuming alcohol (58 percent) or watching sports (41 percent).

     Many women volunteered to give up eating chocolate (56 percent) or shopping (54 percent) to be more comfortable in the home. And a majority of men and women would both forgo exercise (61 percent) to be comfortable.

     Though many respondents would give up certain activities to be comfortable, there is one common interest they refused to sacrifice - Internet access. Men and woman collectively ranked going online (87 percent) as the one activity that's worth holding onto while feeling uncomfortable in their home.

     It turns out most people can't agree on one temperature as their ideal comfort level. It is a common notion that 71 or 72 degrees is just right, but homeowners have a wide range of preferences and it may relate to age, gender or geographic location.

     Despite having control over the temperature setting at home, 38 percent reported that the temperature during the winter is not what they would prefer for their own personal comfort.

     And it may be the change - not the ideal temperature - that is burning up your oil, electric or gas bill.
     Homeowners may find temperature swings as one of the reasons for their inability to find comfort.

     The most often cited reason for keeping the temperature cooler was to save money (72 percent). And that will be common this winter with the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reporting that consumers will pay 10 percent more on average to warm their homes.

     Many have decided to go with the same concept as a hybrid vehicle ... the combination of gas (furnace) and electricity (heat pump) heating up a home in the most economical way for the conditions in the area, utilizing the heat pump under moderate conditions then switching to the gas furnace when temperatures become more extreme.

     The most often cited reason for keeping the temperature warmer than a homeowner prefers was out of consideration for others.


   (Copyright 2007 Newsroom Solutions, LLC)