Temperature on the cold side?

[AntMan612]

I'm using the guideline of maintaining an 88 F surface temperature on the hot side and room temperature on the cold side. But, I'm curious what everyone considers to be room temperature? With today's high energy prices, it is not practical to maintain our homes at the standard 72 F definition of "room temperature."

I'll start: I consider 76 F a comfortable summertime temperature, but allow my A/C to reach 82 F while I'm at work or away. In the winter, 70 F is the comfortable temperature, and my heater keeps the temperature above 65 F while I'm away.

 

[GeckoGathering]

room temp.?

I'm using the guideline of maintaining an 88 F surface temperature on the hot side and room temperature on the cold side. But, I'm curious what everyone considers to be room temperature? With today's high energy prices, it is not practical to maintain our homes at the standard 72 F definition of "room temperature."

I'll start: I consider 76 F a comfortable summertime temperature, but allow my A/C to reach 82 F while I'm at work or away. In the winter, 70 F is the comfortable temperature, and my heater keeps the temperature above 65 F while I'm away.

I probably am not far off of your listed temps.for summer, except since my work day consists of no work day, I probably have less hours at the 82 F and things still seem OK with my geckos.
Now my winter room temps. would be above 65 and probably more like 78 F.
If you incubate eggs, my instructions read it wants room temp. at 65 to 72 or near to function properly. So this may be a concern to keep in mind with your summer temps.
Also, did you check your high side floor temp. with a probe? With the hide setting on top of the probe I find my temp to register higher......
..........take care. HJ

 

[AntMan612]

I probably have less hours at the 82 F and things still seem OK with my geckos.
Now my winter room temps. would be above 65 and probably more like 78 F.

Thanks HJ - It's comforting to hear that an experienced keeper also allows their temperature gradient to shrink and grow between summer and winter, with no negative effects on their geckos. It's strange that the guidelines in the leopard gecko literature I've found are not strict about the cold side tempearture. They usually just call for a thermal gradient. So, I'm assuming a 6 degree gradient in the summer (88 hot minus 82 cold) and a 23 degree gradient in the winter (88 hot minus 65 cold) is okay.

Also, did you check your high side floor temp. with a probe? With the hide setting on top of the probe I find my temp to register higher......

I use an infrared thermometer and a probe. They read within 2 degrees of each other.