How The Wrong Temperature Affects Workplace Productivity

It may be hot outside but that doesn’t mean that you should turn your building’s temperature all the way down. The reality is that having an office that is too cold is just as bad for productivity as having one that is too warm. Here are some insights from leading commercial HVAC contractors in NJ.
Why Does Temperature Affect Productivity? 

Too cold or too warm workplace temperatures are uncomfortable and a distraction, as employees are spending critical time trying to cope with the discomfort. Shivering to keep warm drains energy and affects focus, while too warm temperatures make people feel lethargic. This can also have a negative effect on employee health, as trying to keep warm impacts on the immune system, making staff vulnerable to illness.

What is the Optimal Office Temperature? 

The right temperature for a workplace is difficult to pinpoint but should ideally be within a range that optimizes thermal comfort – a neutral condition where you don’t shiver to produce heat or sweat to cool down. This is based on several factors in the workplace environment itself – air temperature, humidity, air velocity and radiant temperature. It’s difficult to reduce this to a single degree of temperature because two uncontrollable factors – clothing and metabolic rate – differ between individuals in the workplace.

Previously, it was thought that the optimal temperature range for productivity was between 69.8 and 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit but recent studies by Cornell University has delivered some surprising results. In this study, a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit produced the highest productivity and the lowest error rates in workers.

With a warmer (but still cool) environment, the body doesn’t have to expend as much energy to keep itself warm, leaving us with more energy to concentrate, be inspired and learn.

It saves money too, and not just in cooling costs. Offices that are colder aren’t just uncomfortable, the drop in productivity and efficiency cost employers 10% more per hour, per employee. In money terms, raising workplace temperature towards 77 degrees Fahrenheit saved $2 per worker per hour.

Speak to Commercial HVAC Contractors to Repair, Maintain or Install Your HVAC Systems 

Tri-Tech Energy is a commercial HVAC company in New Jersey dedicated to setting the industry standard for innovative design, client service, and specialist maintenance. We work on both new commercial builds and retrofitting projects and have our own site where custom HVAC ductwork is developed to overcome the challenges of old buildings – a service that most commercial HVAC contractors can’t offer. For more information on our services or products, including ductwork and HVAC control systems, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.tritechenergy.com/

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