Why do people perceive temperatures differently?

Question

The question might be hard to understand, but bear with me.

In the winter, we have the furnace set at around 73-74 degrees Fahrenheit (Around 22-23 Celsius) and it's the perfect temperature for everyone. However, in the summer, we have the A/C set to around 78-79 (Around 26-27 Celsius) and yet it still feels like the temperatures are the same. I've tried setting the furnace to 78 in the winter, but it becomes unbearably hot and in the summer, turning the A/C to 73-74 is much much too cold. Any Explanations ?

Answer 1

In the winter, 74 degrees is so warm and cozy because you've been in the cold.

In the summer, 79 degrees is so cold and nice because you've been in the 90s for some time.  

I have my AC set to 61 degrees!  It's not too cold for me!  (But I turn it off as soon as it reaches about 63 or so and I only use it from about 5PM to 11PM).

Answer 2

Well, i keep my A/C set around 67 degrees in the summer and in the winter, i just keep everything off. Every once in a while i might turn the heat on if it gets a little chilly, or i'll just put on a light sweater or something.  My electric bill in the winter is a lot cheaper than in the summer.

Answer 3

Maybe because you are wearing less clothing in the summer, making the same temperature feel colder because more of your skin is exposed than in the winter.

Answer 4

You acclimate as the seasons change.

Personally though, I like my thermostat at 68 in winter and 72 in summer. However when asleep, I need it at 61 degrees, whatever season it may be.

Answer 5

We are all different (individuals).

I have my air condition set at 85 F and try and remove moisture only.

My heating unit is set at 55 F in unused areas and at 63 F at used areas, but I do use space heater to keep my other members of the family comfort table,as needed and in Summer it is the celling fan that do the job.

Other main reason is the humidity, in both cases.

In winter you need slightly more humidity to feel comfortable and in summer you need to remove that.

Answer 6

I think it might also be that people can't sense temperature change precisely: it's more of a 'relative' thing.  For example, if the ambient environment is very cold (as in the winter), it doesn't take much to feel relatively warm, and if it gets too much hotter, it becomes relatively hot.  The body feels "cooler" and "warmer" rather than "73 degrees."  Too much cooler or warmer can be unpleasant, though, hence the discomfort when talking about, for example, 70 degree air conditioning in the summer