According to a recent survey by American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, 65 percent of respondents believe that women are more likely than men to complain about the temperature in the household. That's why American Standard, a leading provider of heating and air conditioning systems, is providing comfort information and tips for women to make sure they are using the right heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for their needs and enjoying maximum comfort in the home.
Having a comfortable home environment is important. In fact, the American Standard survey shows that approximately two out of five respondents felt that having a comfortable home environment was extremely important - with women being nearly twice as likely as men to agree with that statement. However, as the survey pointed out, women are not receiving the level of satisfaction with their home comfort that they expect or desire. Specifically, women think that their home is too cold (46 percent), too hot (32 percent), too dry (29 percent) or too humid (12 percent).
"If maintained and operated properly, an HVAC system that addresses a home's specific needs can make or break the level of satisfaction with home comfort," explains Joyce Warrington, brand marketing manager for American Standard. "If a woman sets her thermostat to a temperature that makes her comfortable in the morning, that same temperature may make her uncomfortable later in the day. Making sure the HVAC system is addressing her specific needs is the key to ultimate home comfort satisfaction."
Starting with the Right System
Men and women are different and therefore have different ideas of what comfort means. Due to their smaller size and lower metabolic rate, the amount of heat that women produce can be lower, which is why women often feel colder than men. Similarly, HVAC systems are all different, as are the homes and climates in which they are used - meaning varying degrees of comfort exist. And with varying climates throughout the United States, it's important to keep the local conditions in mind and the average temperatures expected during each season. In addition, some states offer rebate incentives to consumers who purchase higher-efficiency HVAC equipment. Check your local utility company's Web site for more information.
Finding the Right Balance
Today, there are many products women can add to an HVAC system to help make their home as comfortable as possible. Here are a few products to discuss with your American Standard HVAC dealer:
* Programmable thermostat - With a programmable thermostat, homeowners can program it to deliver home comfort at whatever temperature they like. And once it's set, you don't have to worry about it again.
* Ramped-up airflow - American Standard features Comfort-R technology in its Freedom furnaces and air handlers. With Comfort-R, the air ramps up more slowly, reducing noise. This technology also helps ensure consistent air circulation, reducing temperature variances.
* Humidifier - Whole-house humidifiers are very helpful in adding moisture back into the air during the winter months. A humidifier from American Standard can be attached to a furnace and programmed to turn off once humidity levels in the home reach a certain level. Humidifiers are also important for homes that have wood floors and wood furniture, including pianos.
For more information on whole-house systems or to find an American Standard independent dealer near you, visit www.americanstandardair.com. Consumers can also visit the Web site to order a free copy of American Standard's "At Home With Comfort" DVD guide.
Courtesy of ARA Content
