Why don't many restaurants use their heaters? (Mesa: buy, live)

[Pink Jazz]

I was in a Burger King early this morning in southeast Mesa, and it was freezing cold inside.

I wonder, why don't many restaurants here use their heaters in the winter? Some even use their AC in the winter. Are they trying to cater to the snowbird population who have different perceptions of comfort?

[PhureeKeeper]

Probably because of COVID. They don't want you to stick around.

[IowaViking]

It could be the way the building's HVAC system is built. The kitchen area might be toasty warm and need some A/C, but the seating area could use some heat. With fewer customers in the front, the system may not be able to keep everybody at the perfect temperature.

They may also be moving more outside fresh air through the building as part of the mitigation plan, and it has been a bit chilly in the mornings.

[Bondurant]

"Winter".

[Huckleberry3911948]

In France they never hear suggest you buy a hot drink instead
Same in the hot summer cold drink are available

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

"Winter".

We use our heat almost every winter and have never had to turn on our air conditioner once in the December through February period the entire time we lived here. We have programmable thermostats, so we mainly use it to break off the morning chill.

[Pink Jazz]

Based on my experiences, while the highs this winter have mostly been about average (sometimes above), the overnight lows have often been below average. It seems like we needed our heat quite a bit this winter to break off the morning chill.

[Voebe]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

I was in a Burger King early this morning in southeast Mesa, and it was freezing cold inside.

I wonder, why don't many restaurants here use their heaters in the winter? Some even use their AC in the winter. Are they trying to cater to the snowbird population who have different perceptions of comfort?

Here's my question: When this happens, do you ask for the manager and ask to have the heat turned on?

[aznative94]

I've heard the theory that heat breeds germs/viruses. Maybe with the financial strain small businesses are under, they are cutting costs wherever and however they can? Not sure if that's the reason for the specific restaurants you mention. But if you are cold, maybe ask them to turn on the heat. Everyone definitely has their own perception of comfort, we don't even use our heater in the winter unless temps drop close to freezing.

[Pink Jazz]

Originally Posted by aznative94

I've heard the theory that heat breeds germs/viruses. Maybe with the financial strain small businesses are under, they are cutting costs wherever and however they can? Not sure if that's the reason for the specific restaurants you mention. But if you are cold, maybe ask them to turn on the heat. Everyone definitely has their own perception of comfort, we don't even use our heater in the winter unless temps drop close to freezing.

Also, there are different regional cultural factors as well. I know in Houston people on average are more likely to use their heaters despite the comparable average winter temperatures. In the summer in Houston they usually set their AC to 72-74 instead of 78-80. I think it might be because energy costs are lower in Houston, and thus people there are willing to spend more for comfort.