TYLER, Texas — Americans nationwide say that adjusting the temperature in their hotel rooms is their No. 1 priority upon checking in, taking precedence over turning on the TV or checking out the mini-bar, a Trane Home Comfort Institute survey has found. The new survey series, which examines how Americans stay comfortable at home and on the road, found that the hotel room is one place to which travelers turn to gain temperature comfort.

According to the survey, nearly 31 percent of adults chose adjusting the temperature as the first thing they do when checking into a hotel room. Unpacking and hanging up clothes came in second with 29 percent, followed by turning on the TV (19 percent), reading safety instructions (10 percent), checking out the mini-bar (3 percent), and getting ice for the room (3 percent). Five percent said none of these choices would be their top three options upon checking into a hotel room.

“When traveling, things are often out of control and comfort is hard to come by,” said Robert Helt, technical director of the Trane Home Comfort Institute. “So, it’s nice to settle into a hotel and take control over the things that allow people to gain ultimate comfort, whether it’s changing the thermostat to the ideal temperature or watching a favorite TV show without any interruptions.”

Demographic Differences

Craving comfort: People 35-44 years old are the ultimate comfort seekers, with 41 percent adjusting the temperature in their rooms first.

Not hot or cold, just right: Some 67 percent of respondents chose adjusting the temperature as one of the first three things they do.

TV junkies: Adults ages 18-24 are most likely to turn on the TV (27 percent).

Safety first: People ages 65 and over are most concerned with their safety, as they are the most likely age group to read the safety and evacuation instructions — 42 percent identified this as one of the first three things they do.

Stock up: Adults ages 18-24 are the most likely age group to check out the mini-bar — 32 percent reported that grabbing snacks and drinks from the mini-bar is one of the first three things they do. People under 34 are more likely to check out the mini-bar than their elders are.

Trane is a global manufacturer of air conditioning and heating systems for residential, institutional, and commercial customers. The company provides air conditioning systems for hotels around the world.

KRC Research conducted the national Trane research of 1,043 adult men and women from April 9-15, 2003.

The random sample is comprised of adults 18 and over. The sampling error is ±3.1 percent at the 95 percent level of confidence.

Publication date: 06/30/2003