In the Mood for Love? Science Says This Temperature Is Best for Watching Romance Movies
Yup, according to science, colder temperatures make us want to watch romance movies.
That’s good news, because the most romantic day of the year (Valentine’s Day) happens to be in the middle of winter.
So if you need a date idea, consider setting the thermostat to a slightly chilly 62°–66° F and watching a classic romance movie.
In this article, we’ll explain:
- Why we want to watch romance movies in the cold
- One easy way to get your home to the perfect “romantic movie” temperature
Why we want to watch romance movies in the cold
In one 2012 study, researchers tested whether temperature affects people’s movie preferences.
The researchers did this by changing the ambient temperature of 2 identical rooms, one set to a chilly 59°–62° F, and the other to a warmer 72°–75° F.
The participants were then split up into the 2 rooms and presented with a movie from 4 different genres (romance, action, comedy and thriller). The participants were asked to rank the 4 movies in order of preference.
At the end of the study, the researchers found that participants in the colder room had an increased preference for romance movies.
So why did being cold make people want to watch romance movies?
The researchers concluded that colder temperatures make our bodies crave psychological warmth, which is closely related to romance.
Interestingly, romance and warmth share similar physiological traits like:
- Clammy palms
- Increased heart palpitations
- Fast breathing
So now that you know why cold temperatures make us want to watch romance movies, let’s look at an easy tip to maintain the perfect romance movie temperature.
The easy way to get your home to the perfect “romance movie” temperature
A programmable or smart thermostat are the easiest ways to make sure your home is the right temperature for a romance movie on Valentine’s Day.
Both types of thermostats allow you to set your thermostat to a specific temperature at a predetermined time, which is especially helpful when you’re planning a date.
For example, you can go out to a romantic dinner with your significant other and when you get back, your house will already be in the 64° to 68° F range. All you have to do is put on the movie and you’re set.
Additionally, a smart/programmable thermostat is more accurate than a standard manual thermostat.
(Smart/programmable thermostats get the actual room temperature within 1° F of your set temperature, compared to a 3°–5° F discrepancy from a standard thermostat.)
And in the long run, both a programmable and smart thermostat can save you up to $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
Interested in a programmable or smart thermostat?
Or visit our smart and programmable thermostat page for more information.
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