In the "traditional" family model, kids are raised by their parents until they grow up and leave home to get married and start a career. But like most traditions, this one is getting left behind as the world evolves and conventional definitions change.
According to Pew Research, in 2012, 36% of people between the ages of 18 to 31 were living in their parents' home. Prior to 2007, that figure was closer to 32%. So why the increase? Several reasons.
Declining employment. In today's economy, jobs are harder to find for those who are relatively new to the workforce. Without a job, it's harder to find a place to live on one's own. Hence, 45% of those 18-31 who are unemployed live with their parents.
Declining marriage rates. In 2012, 25% of people 18-31 were married, as opposed to 30% in 2007. It's taking longer for young people to leave the nest and fly on their own.
Rising college enrollment. The number of 18-24-year-olds living at home has risen with increasing college enrollment.
So now that we have more people staying under one roof for longer, keeping everyone comfortable isn't as easy as it once was. Here's how home comfort technology can make a difference.
Consistency is key.
Homes with multiple adult occupants can benefit from a home heating and cooling system with variable-speed airflow. Because it can adjust blower output to many different speeds, a system with variable speed can create more consistent temperatures throughout the home. Variable-speed systems also deliver quieter operation, which can be a bonus in any home with multiple adult occupants.
Thermostat wars.
It's rare that everyone can agree on a temperature. So nobody has to. Simply install a zoning system like iHarmony® zoning from Lennox. In a zoning system, your home is divided into multiple areas, or zones, each with its own thermostat. Motorized dampers in the ductwork open and close to direct heating and cooling only where they're needed. So if one family member feels a little chilly at night and turns up the heat, others won't have to sweat because their part of the house won't receive the same flow of warm air.
A cleaner environment for everyone.
With multiple generations coming and going from the same house, it's only natural that more dirt and airborne impurities are going to make their way into the home. And while today's better-sealed homes may do wonders for energy efficiency, they tend to trap dirty air inside.
The Lennox PureAir™ Air Purification System can clean the air in your home better than any single system you can buy. Systems like PureAir use ultraviolet lighting to attack all three classes of indoor air contaminants–particles, mold/mildew/bacteria and odors/chemical vapors. All without generating ozone, a known lung irritant.
Not too dry, not too wet.
Humidity affects home comfort more than any other factor. Wet air feels sticky and heavy in the summer, making it hard to stay comfortable. Dry air can cause static shocks, nosebleeds and dry skin in the winter. By properly regulating humidity levels all year long, you can create a much more comfortable environment for everyone.
A whole-home dehumidifier like the Healthy Climate® dehumidifier can create moisture control for comfortable living, making summers drier, cooler and more enjoyable for everyone in the home. Likewise, a humidification solution like the Healthy Climate Whole-Home Power Humidifier can provide power humidification for enhanced air quality and comfort, putting an end to static shock and other dry-air discomforts. So everyone's happier under one roof.
