With all the furore over increasing energy prices this winter, there has been a lot of debate amongst friends and colleagues over exactly how warm a house should be. I grew up in a large, draughty Victorian home and spent most winters outside in the snow. I can't remember ever complaining that the house was too cold, although there were definitely times when the condensation on inside of the windows would freeze and leave tiny leaf patterns on the glass. My parents spent several years slowly expanding the place, and for a while there was no central heating in half the rooms. But there were always blankets, fur throws, hot water bottles, jumpers and thick socks to wear if it got chilly. I suppose I was just too busy to notice the cold. I certainly never suffered for it.
When I mentioned this, I was surprised by the majority reaction. Many people expect to be able to walk around in a t-shirt and shorts during December/January and leave the heating on constantly. I'd always assumed it was just sick or elderly people that did this - my great grandparents' house felt like an oven! But out of 11 people I asked, 9 agreed they would turn up the heating before pulling on a jumper or pair of socks. Even more shocking to me was the handful that added they would open windows rather than turn the heating off when it became too stuffy! Perhaps I'm an oddity, but I generally have the heating off and bedroom window open in the winter. Anything less and I feel as though I'm suffocating!
I wonder if people actually feel the cold more these days compared to, say, the 1950's? It's common knowledge that the modern lifestyle is more sedentary, with most people driving to work, spending hours sat behind a desk, then sprawling in front of the TV in the evening. A couch potato will produce less body heat than a gym-bunny who is constantly on the go, so it makes sense that they would notice a drop in external temperature. Aside from the negative impact that a sedentary lifestyle has on health (move or die! - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18880989), there is an obvious negative impact on an individual's finances.
With heating costs increasing at an average of 10% this year, will more people be encouraged to go out and exercise or wrap up to stay warm? Or have we become too lazy and spoilt to expect anything less than tropical temperatures indoors? For my own part, I'll keep taking the extra money and stick with the mittens! What 10% price increase?
