Thermostat battles?

Do you bicker with your housemates over the temperature inside your home? According to a recent survey by Direct Energy, almost half of Canadians (49 per cent) report arguments over the thermostat. In Ontario, the rate was 46 per cent.

Mr. Speedy and I prefer much different temperatures. When he's sitting happily in a t-shirt and shorts, I'm bundled up with a blanket and sweater. If I'm comfy-cozy, he's probably too hot to move.

Our solution? We strive for a middle ground, and I always keep a blanket handy! (Which is, perhaps, on trend with the survey, which found women are more likely to add or remove layers of clothing or open a window rather than argue about the temperature). How do you handle these "therma-spats"?

And, even if you can't agree on how to set it, it never hurts to cut the costs of running your a/c unit, so check out these summer cooling tips from Direct Energy:

- Install a programmable thermostat, turning it up during the day when no one is home and at night when the outdoor temperature is cooler. Direct Energy says that by raising the thermostat's temperature by five degrees Celsius at night, you could save 10 per cent on your heating bill.
- Keep the outdoor air conditioner coil clear of dirt and other obstructions, and keep flowers and shrubs two feet away from the unit.
- If you have a central air conditioner, keep the top of the unit unobstructed.
- Top up your insulation, and caulk and weather strip around windows and doors to keep the cool air in and the warm air out.
- Keep blinds, carpets and furniture free of the vents, and close vents in less used rooms.