Why your home’s thermostat temperature doesn’t feel right

While clothing, air movement, temperature, and humidity affect our seasonal comfort, two lesser-known measures help explain how comfort is experienced indoors.

Picture two homes on the same street: one constructed in the 1950s and the other in the 1990s. There are no trees or other shade. The air conditioning units are identical, recently replaced, and operating perfectly. Identical thermostats are set at 82 degrees Fahrenheit (27.8 Celsius).