Find Your Ideal Office Temperature
If you work in an office in Tallahassee, Florida, you might find that many of your co-workers can’t agree on a temperature setting. Typically, office managers select the temperature, but you might find that many people believe the chosen setting is either too hot or too cold. So how do you find the perfect solution? Discover the ideal office temperature range and how it can affect workplace productivity.
Finding the Ideal Office Temperature
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends keeping workplace temperatures between 68 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a good range, but you still might encounter employees who believe these temperatures are either too hot or too cold. Because adjusting the temperature can improve or decrease overall productivity drastically, you want to make sure you find a temperature setting that’s comfortable for everyone.
How Temperature Affects Employees
Temperature’s effects on employees and potential customers can drive your attempts to find the ideal office setting. If the space is too hot, workers might begin to lose focus. Also, with high temperatures and an increase in humidity, you run the risk of spreading viruses and bacteria through the HVAC system. This can cause an influx of sickness, which hurts productivity, as well.
When temperatures are too cool, employees are equally uncomfortable. They might also feel more withdrawn and less social. Failing to take into account agreeable office temperatures can cause workers to remedy the matter themselves. When workers feel too cold, they might bring in portable heaters, rearrange furniture, or block vents. All of these solutions can be potential fire hazards.
Take Into Account the Season
Indoor air temperatures can feel different depending on the season, so you need to take into account how people adjust to seasonal changes. Avoid keeping the temperature at 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, for instance. While it might feel fine in the winter, it can make the workplace feel way too cold in the summer. People adapt and find different temperatures comfortable depending on the season.
Consider the Humidity
Even if the temperature in the office works for everyone, don’t forget to consider the humidity. There’s nothing worse than sticking to the office chair or just feeling sticky in general. Work quality and output can decrease when the indoor humidity levels are too high. If your commercial air conditioning unit is too large for the space it’s in, it might not be running long enough to remove moisture from the air.
Locating Solutions
The best temperature setting is one that makes everyone in the office happy. If co-workers have active jobs requiring them to move around, relocate them to cooler areas of the office. This will allow their comfort and productivity levels to remain high. Encourage employees to dress warmer in the cooler months, wearing items such as sweaters, vests or jackets.
If the area is too hot, install blinds on the windows to help regulate the temperature. Close the blinds in the summer to keep the office cool, but open them in the winter to warm the space. Swap out heat-producing light bulbs for cooler LEDs or compact fluorescent lights. Encourage workers to take their breaks in more comfortable areas, such as air conditioned spaces.
Locate the office thermostat away from heat-producing equipment and direct sunlight. Both can provide inaccurate readings of the office’s temperature, causing the area to appear warmer than it is. You could also install a smart thermostat to adjust the humidity levels and monitor the office settings.
It can be challenging to find an agreeable temperature in office environments, but by following a few simple steps, you can find ways to make almost anyone comfortable and productive. Make sure you schedule regular commercial HVAC maintenance so your system operates to the best of its ability. Contact Advanced Air Care Heating & Cooling, LLC at 850-688-9265 to schedule your next appointment. We can fix clogged filters, check blocked ducts, and repair or replace broken parts.
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