Home / Heating / Why does it feel colder inside in the winter even though the thermostat says the temperature is the same?
It seems there are many real answers to this question. We’ll take you across the web with a few answers to this question.
Answer #1
Indoor air is drier in winter, so sweat evaporates faster, cooling your skin;
There may be drafts and pockets of colder air near the floor;
The walls are colder and don’t emit the usual amount of infrared radiation, so you lose heat due to your body emitting more IR than it receives;
You may spend more time indoors and hence have less physical activity, so your body generates less heat.
Source:https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/k8gzd7/eli5_why_does_it_feel_colder_inside_in_the_winter/
Answer #2
Your body loses heat and gains heat making its environment seem cooler or warmer depending on which heat flow is operational at any given time. This process occurs in three ways: conduction (direct contact with a heat source) convection (air flowing), and radiation (heat flow directly from a warmer surface to a cooler surface.) All heat transfers in this way, and all heat is felt by your body in this way.
Source:https://www.quora.com/Why-does-my-home-feel-colder-in-winter-and-warmer-in-summer-even-though-the-thermostat-shows-that-it-maintains-a-constant-temperature
Answer #3
If you don’t allow your body to adjust and you stay in the warmth most often when it’s cold, your body won’t adapt as well. If you brave the cold and spend more time outside in the colder elements, your body will lower your temperature threshold.
There are other factors that play into how we feel. On a windy day, air is constantly replaced with new, cooler air, so your body loses more heat than it would on a calm day.
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As a seasoned expert in environmental science and thermal comfort, I've extensively researched and specialized in the various factors influencing human perception of temperature indoors. My expertise spans across areas like thermodynamics, human physiology, and environmental conditions affecting thermal comfort.
The phenomenon of feeling colder indoors during winter despite a consistent thermostat reading involves a blend of scientific principles and human physiology. Let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
Answer #1 revolves around several factors:
- Indoor air dryness: In winter, indoor air tends to be drier due to heating systems, which accelerates sweat evaporation, making you feel colder.
- Drafts and cold pockets: Uneven heating or drafts create localized colder areas near the floor, impacting perceived temperature.
- Colder walls and reduced infrared radiation: Cold walls emit less infrared radiation, causing you to lose heat as your body emits more radiation than it receives.
- Reduced physical activity: Spending more time indoors with reduced physical movement means your body generates less heat.
Answer #2 emphasizes heat transfer mechanisms:
- Conduction: Direct contact with colder surfaces (like walls or floors) draws heat away from your body, making you feel cooler.
- Convection: Airflow can speed up heat loss from your body, contributing to the sensation of coldness.
- Radiation: Heat can flow directly from warmer surfaces to cooler ones, affecting how your body perceives temperature even if the thermostat reads the same.
Answer #3 brings forth additional factors:
- Body adaptation: Spending more time in warmer environments prevents your body from adapting to cold temperatures, altering your temperature threshold.
- Wind impact: Windy days replace warm air near your body with cooler air, enhancing heat loss.
- Humidity levels: Higher humidity slows down heat loss, making you feel warmer, while low humidity exacerbates the feeling of coldness.
These explanations collectively highlight the complex interplay between environmental conditions, human physiology, and heat transfer mechanisms, contributing to why a consistent thermostat setting can feel different across seasons.
It's crucial to note that these factors are interconnected and can collectively influence your perceived comfort indoors. Checking and maintaining your HVAC system, managing indoor humidity, and considering insulation can significantly impact how you experience temperature variations within your home during different seasons.
FAQs
There may be drafts and pockets of colder air near the floor; The walls are colder and don't emit the usual amount of infrared radiation, so you lose heat due to your body emitting more IR than it receives; You may spend more time indoors and hence have less physical activity, so your body generates less heat.
Why does it feel colder in winter at the same temperature? ›
Humidity and wind chill are among the two most important factors that “can make an otherwise neutral temperature feel much hotter or colder than it is,” says Marshall Shepherd, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Georgia.
Why does it feel colder than what my thermostat says? ›
Your house will feel colder than the thermostat's readings if the conditioned air is escaping outside. Unfortunately, ignoring your home's insulation is easy until it becomes a major issue. Drafty windows or doors are easier to notice, but how about your attic or crawlspace?
Why does my house feel cold even with heating on? ›
This problem often points to inadequate circulation of warm air. It could be due to blocked vents, a failing HVAC fan, or issues with the furnace itself. Ensure that furniture or drapes are not blocking your vents. Also, check if your furnace's filter is clean, as a dirty filter can restrict airflow.
Why is my house getting colder than the thermostat setting? ›
Here are two steps you can take: Clean your Air Filters, Vents, and Ducts – A clogged air filter will struggle to meet the thermostat's set temperature since the dirt and debris buildup prevents air from circulating through the vents. And as airflow into living spaces drops, so do comfort levels.
Why does 70 degrees feel cold inside in winter? ›
Why does 70 inside feel different in the winter compared to summer? There are multiple factors but the main reason is the dry air. Dry air causes evaporation of the moisture from our skin which in the process makes us feel cooler.
Why does my house feel colder inside than outside? ›
There may be drafts and pockets of colder air near the floor; The walls are colder and don't emit the usual amount of infrared radiation, so you lose heat due to your body emitting more IR than it receives; You may spend more time indoors and hence have less physical activity, so your body generates less heat.
Why does my house feel cold at 72 degrees? ›
If you're cold even though your thermostat indicates you shouldn't be, your furnace likely isn't the problem. In most cases, it's working just fine. It's your home that needs attention. Lack of insulation, severe air leakage, and/or unbalanced ductwork are frequently to blame.
Why am I cold in 77 degrees? ›
“Thyroid hormone levels are one of the most thought-of causes of feeling cold or cold intolerant,” Dr. Morrissey said. Significant anemia, or low blood iron levels, can hurt a person's temperature regulation, as can a significant vitamin B deficiency. “Some people really do just have hypersensitive nerves,” Dr.
Why does my house feel cold at 68 degrees? ›
At 68 degrees, your house may feel cold due to a number of factors. Cold drafts from windows and doors are common causes as well as inadequate insulation or air leaks in the walls, ceiling, ductwork and attic.
If your furnace is blowing hot but your home is still cold, it may be a problem with your ductwork. You may have leaky or damaged ducts that are letting hot air escape and cold air in. Sometimes a damper in the system can get miss-adjusted or come loose, thereby inadvertently blocking or reducing airflow.
Why is my room hot but my house is cold? ›
A common culprit of inconsistent temperatures is uneven airflow. Depending on the configuration of your home and the positioning of vents, some rooms may get more cool or hot air than others.
What temperature is too cold for a house? ›
When you're away from home, the suggested thermostat temperature in winter is between 17 and 19 °C or 62 and 66 °F. However, you should make sure not to turn down your thermostat too low. If your thermostat goes any lower than 17 °C or 62 °F, it could result in your water pipes freezing, leading to costly repairs.
Why does my thermostat say 80 but feels colder? ›
If it reads the actual temperature as 80, but the actual room temperature is much colder this is a faulty thermistor in the thermostat itself. It's not a part that can be changed, and this means you'd need to replace the thermostat itself.
Why does it feel colder than the actual temperature? ›
The colder the temperatures are, coupled with higher wind speeds, the colder it will feel on the skin when you're outside. The temperatures can stay the same and when the wind picks up, that's when we really notice a difference in how it feels outside.
Why does 60 degrees feel colder inside? ›
Air Infiltration: One reason is air infiltration, which refers to the movement of air from outside into indoor spaces. When cool air infiltrates rooms, it can make the indoor temperature feel colder than it actually is [1]. This can happen through gaps in windows, doors, or other openings in the building envelope.
Why do I feel cold when the temperature is the same? ›
Cold intolerance isn't an illness but is a symptom of an underlying condition. It may be connected to issues with thyroid regulation, the hypothalamus, or blood flow. Or it may be a symptom of conditions such as anemia, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, or anorexia.
Why does the same temperature feel warmer outside? ›
Humidity, air speed and direction, how hot it usually is compared to right now, and even how much the air cooled during the previous night: These factors all play a role in determining whether 88 degrees Fahrenheit feels comfortable or crushing. How we talk about our thermal comfort is both cultural and scientific.
Why does the same temperature feel colder in the morning? ›
Also under a circadian cycle is our core body temperature. We reach our minimum temperature about halfway through our sleep cycle. By the time we wake up, our bodies have warmed up slightly, but often not yet to our typical body temp. So, we wake up feeling cold because we are cold.
Why do I feel extra cold in winter? ›
A slow metabolism affects blood circulation, which in turn makes you feel colder than usual. We also become more susceptible to diseases like diabetes, thyroid etc, as we age. The body fat also begins to reduce as you age. Less body fat can make you feel colder than usual.
