Half of British couples have had arguments over temperature of their home, study claims

One in five consider breaking up with partner because of heating disagreements

Millions of British couples are having heated rows – about the temperature of their homes, a study has revealed.

Researchers who carried out a detailed study found one in two have had a disagreement with their other half over the house being too hot or too cold.

It also emerged around three disputes blow up in households every week over the heating in the colder months.

For one in five couples the issue was so extreme they even considered breaking up with their partner in favour of someone who enjoys having the house at the same temperature.

It also emerged nine in 10 of those surveyed have already turned their central heating on this winter, with most fiddling with the thermostat for the first time in October.

Sixty-two per cent admitted worrying about running up their energy by turning on the heating too early in the year.

One in seven couples also delayed warming up their home because their other half wanted to keep it off for as long as possible.

Of those who took matters into their own hands and turned the heating on, 56 per cent returned to find their partner had adjusted the temperature themselves to fit their own preference.

One in six couples controlled their thermostat using an app or remote system, which provided opportunities for underhand adjustments.

Of those who controlled their thermostat through an app, over two-thirds used it to take control of the temperature from their partner behind their back.

According to the average couple, the perfect temperature for a home is 21 degrees.

The study also uncovered some of the other habits which irk Britons about their partner.

Forty-one per cent of couples had to deal with a partner who snores and 18 per cent wished their spouse was not so lazy.

One in five thought their partner’s poor management of money was their worst trait.

A spokesperson for specialist air conditioning and heating hire company Andrews Sykes, which commissioned the study, said: “At face value, the heating seems like a trivial thing to argue about.

“But as our research demonstrates, it is something of concern for plenty of couples around the country.”

The spokesperson added: “Living together can be wonderful, but it can also bring with it all kinds of unexpected pitfalls.

“Whether we know it or not, we all have an irritating habit which is likely to rub someone up the wrong way, especially if we are spending so much time together in close proximity as you would when living with a loved one.”

You can find the survey results in full here.

SWNS