PRESS RELEASE: npower
Written: Tuesday 23rd February, 2010
COLD SNAP
One in four family arguments over the recent cold snap were sparked by disputes over the temperature of the house, it emerged yesterday (Mon).
Research among 2,000 homeowners found 'it's too hot, it's too cold' rows took place in millions of homes as Britain was deluged by the lowest temperatures for 30 years.
Niggles over whose turn it is to do the washing up, hoovering and other household chores emerged as the most common reason for a family bust-up.
What to watch on TV came second in the top 20 list, followed by worries about money in third spot.
The temperature to have the house came fourth while who has the remote control completed the top five, research by npower's Climate Cops revealed.
Parenting expert and author Lorraine Thomas said: ''According to these results more than half (53 per cent) think that families have been grumpier because of the cold snap
''And families are having one squabble a week over the correct temperature for the home.
''Family disagreements are perfectly healthy but it's kids who are acting as mediators and working to restore family harmony.''
The survey found the typical family has at least four niggles a day and at least one disagreement lasting 10 minutes.
Other factors to trigger a bust-up include replacing the toilet role (six), bedtime (seven), and whose turn it is to go on the computer (nine).
Treating the house like a hotel (10), homework (13), being asked for money (17) and putting empty juice cartons back in the fridge (19) also featured in the list of family gripes.
But seven in 10 believe family disagreements are healthy and 87 per cent reckon it's best to have everything out in the open so everyone knows how everyone truly feels.
A third have complained of feeling cold around the home.
One in five are fed up of being told to 'put another layer on' and the same number have disagreed about the time the heating should come on in the morning.
The research also revealed that the ideal temperature for family harmony is 21 degrees Celsius.
Yesterday (Mon) a spokesman for npower's Climate Cops, the energy company's education programme that encourages kids to think green, said: ''The results reveal that it's kids who are championing greener practices around the home.
''An encouraging 17 per cent of parents have been pressurised into turning down the thermostat by their kids in order to help protect the environment and a quarter are nagged about being more environmentally conscious.
''As many as four in 10 youngsters are taking it even further by sorting out the recycling at home and encouraging their families to stop wasting water or electricity.''
WHAT FAMILIES ARGUE ABOUT
1. Household chores
2. What to watch on TV
3. Money
4. The temperature of the house
5. Who has the remote control
6. Replacing the toilet roll
7. What time the children go to bed
8. Being unable to find something in the house
9. Whose go it is on the computer or games console
10. Treating the house like a hotel
11. Taking each other for granted
12. Whose turn it is to wash up
13. Homework
14. What to have for tea
15. Feeling too hot or too cold
16. Taking someone else's toy / book / game without asking
17. Constantly being asked for money
18. Getting kids to stop eating sweets
19. Putting an empty juice carton back in the fridge
20. Getting kids to eat vegetables
21. Whether someone is really ill or not
22. People spending too long in the bathroom
23. Leaving the loo seat up
24. Loud music
25. Who drank the last of the milk
26. Who should empty the dishwasher
27. Wanting a new toy / clothes / trainers
28. Who ate the last of the bread
29. Never ending sport on television
30. What time teenagers should be back home
Research conducted by global market research company www.onepoll.com
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