We set our heating at 25°C to match the African climate of our ancient human ancestors, study reveals
Modern humans living in western countries during winter may be trying to recreate the temperatures found in the lands of their ancient forebearers
PEOPLE are setting their thermostats to 25°C because they’re unconsciously trying to recreate the conditions of their ancient human ancestors, a study has found.
The extraordinary research found the average indoor temperature favoured by those living in in the West mimics Kenya's climate, which averages 25°C (77F).
Lead of the study Dr Michael Just said: “We tend to attempt to recreate the conditions from which we evolved, before we had the ability to make homes — the ones to which we our physiologies are adapted.”
The study measured the temperature in 37 households for more than a year.
Researchers led by North Carolina State University have concluded the results could mean people are trying to recreate the conditions in that area in the world where our human ancestors came from.
It may well be for evolutionary reasons - this climate may be the one which we are best suited to.
MOST READ IN NEWS
Volunteers put devices on shelves and bookcases in their homes to record hourly temperature and humidity measurements.
They found the average indoor temperature across the seasons hit 25.35°C.
This is less than a third of a degree away from the average outdoor temperature which is 25.06°C in west central Kenya.
Thermostats are also set similarly to countries like Namibia, Angola and Ethiopia.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online politics team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.