London, Feb 23 (ANI): A survey has claimed that the recent cold weather has increased the number of family rows at home.

The report revealed that a quarter of families say arguments over heating have led to some of the most furious outbursts, and that a typical family had up to 4 minor tiffs per days as well as one prolonged argument of more than 10 minutes.

Family chores and dissent over which channel to watch on television were the most common causes of temper flare-ups, with some 43 percent of those surveyed said they fought in front of the television.

According to the survey, which was commissioned by npower, heating the house was the fourth most common topic to spark an argument.

Half of the 2,000 homeowners questioned said the weather, the coldest winter for 30 years, had made their family members more short-tempered.

"According to these results more than half (53 per cent) think that families have been grumpier because of the cold snap," the Telegraph quoted parenting expert and author Lorraine Thomas as saying.

"And families are having one squabble a week over the correct temperature for the home.

"Family disagreements are perfectly healthy but it's kids who are acting as mediators and working to restore family harmony," she added.

A third of those surveyed have complained of feeling cold around the home.

One in five are fed up of being told to 'put another layer on' and the same number has disagreed about the time the heating should come on in the morning.

As well as feuds between parents over temperatures, children have been asking their parents to turn the heating down to protect the environment.

The research also revealed that the ideal temperature for family harmony is 21 degrees Celsius. (ANI)