1. Temperature Gradient - Introduction (a.)

During the summer months, the temperatures inside and outside a house are more or less evenly balanced and constant at all heights (A.)

In winter, the position alters considerably. Our attempts to simulate summer conditions can never be completely successful because of the problem of temperature gradient. Whenever we attempt to heat small enclosed volumes of air against a background of much cooler temperatures, some separating out occurs. The air we have warmed rises up towards the ceiling, while cooler air sinks down to ankle level (B.)

The greater the difference, the greater our discomfort since the "thermostats" in our body don't know which temperature to respond to and we end up feeling either 'stuffy' or suffering from cold feet.

In this situation, turning the heat up may only make things worse as well as increasing our heating bills.