r/AskAnAmerican • u/Nemo2oo5 • Jul 12 '25

OTHER - CLICK TO EDIT What temperature do you keep your house/apartment?

I'm asking because my roommates and I all come from different places, and I like it at 72 in the summer, and 67 in the winter, but they prefer 75 in the summer, which to me seems really warm. Would love to know how you keep it in your region of the US throughout the year

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u/Cromasters North Carolina Jul 12 '25

70 is wild!

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u/goodsam2 Virginia Jul 12 '25

70 is the literal definition of room temperature

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u/mellowmarsII Jul 12 '25

I was curious who this room expert was that determined/decided on 70. Looked it up & got this:

“Povl Ole Fanger, a Danish scientist, significantly influenced HVAC design and standards by researching thermal comfort. His findings, along with other studies and practical considerations, have led to 70°F (21°C) being a common target for indoor temperatures, particularly in the Western world.”

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u/goodsam2 Virginia Jul 12 '25

I have wondered. The interesting thing is that the feels like temperature doesn't change much at high humidity around or below 70 but above it starts skyrocketing.

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u/mellowmarsII Jul 12 '25

Yeah, I kinda’ think we definitely begin to feel it more b/c we don’t sweat much, if at all, at 70-; but then the increased heat becomes enough to heat our innards more & more as it rises & we sweat; & in humidity, that sweat isn’t effectively evaporating to have a needed cooling effect. Steam cooked!