The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

The thermostat wars are real. Here’s why women often get colder than men.

February 9, 2024 at 11:21 a.m. EST
Is it true that women get colder than men? (Linnea Bullion for The Washington Post)
3 min

The question:

Is it true that women get colder than men?

The science:

Temperature preferences do appear to vary by sex. In general, men prefer colder environments while women often opt for warmer ones.

Research shows that women tend to perform better on certain skills when the temperature is a little warmer, making them more productive, while men tend to perform better when the temperature is a bit cooler. Another study found that there’s a reason men and women often battle over the thermostat — standards for heating and cooling buildings and offices tend to favor male comfort.