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VOTE: How cold must it be inside your home for you to turn the heat?

It’s a question known to stir up a debate in any Canadian household: when to turn on the heat.

It really depends on the weather outside and how we react to it. Some years, it becomes chilly as early as September. Other times, the heat stays off until the Christmas music begins to play.

The debate can drive wedges between married couples. More often than not, women are more sensitive to colder temperatures than men are.

According to Science Focus, this is partly because women tend to have less muscle mass, which generates heat. Female bodies also possess more estogren, which thickens the blood and reduces blood flow to the extremities such as hands and feet, according to science writer Luis Villazon.

That’s why in many examples, such as this experiment from the BBC, women experience cold hands and feet in the same environment as men who do not experience these symptoms. That’s not to say that women are always colder than men, but there is some scientific evidence to show why there might be differences of opinion inside any given household.

Another reason to reach for the thermostat is the comfort of young children and elderly people, who often have weaker immune systems, which makes them more susceptible to getting sick if the temperature is too low.

So when do you turn on the heat inside your home? Do you bundle up with blankets and sweats before reaching for the thermostat? Or do you really enjoy walking into a warm and toasty home? Vote in the poll above and share your thoughts in the comment section below.