Office temperature, what is the right one at work?

Many have suffered at some point from the discrepancies in climate control in the workplaces. In some cases, it can be understood, such as when it comes to an industrial work area with heavy machinery that emits a lot of heat in the middle of summer. But, on other occasions, it is an avoidable mistake. For example, when the office temperature is at unnatural levels. Those in which one feels cold in summer and overheats in winter.

Such situations are undoubtedly nonsensical since we cannot go to work in a coat and sweater only to need something with short sleeves. Historically, many have seen it as a symbol of comfort, like those who enjoy feeling cold indoors in the middle of summer.

Above all, it is essential to consider that for environmental comfort in a workplace, there are three key factors: lighting, noise, and temperature. All must be carefully managed so that employees find themselves in better situations, are more productive, and are happier.

Right now, in autumn, it is normal for temperatures in offices to be quite pleasant. But we are coming from a challenging summer and winter is approaching. The issue swings from one extreme to another, whether due to excessive power from traditional climate control systems or a lack of energy. This is something to take into account, as the comfort temperature in the office is framed within the prevention of occupational risks. From here, what recommendations do we find to have a pleasant office temperature that helps us produce better and work under good conditions?

As explained by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, thermal comfort is achieved when the people inhabiting a room do not feel either hot or cold, and enjoy the most pleasant temperature for the tasks they are performing. What’s the problem? Every person is a world and there will always be someone who is not comfortable with what the majority is. Subjectivity is high when it comes to this, so according to the same institute, there is understood to be a margin of between 5% and 10% of people who do not feel satisfied.

To understand what office temperature is appropriate, we must understand that there are three factors that influence it:

1. The operative temperature. Basically, the number of degrees Celsius that is given in a place.
2. The air velocity. If the wind touches us, the sensation will be fresher and less hot.
3. Humidity in the air. Water vapor is something that will completely change our sense of well-being.

As we said, there will always be up to 10% of dissatisfied people in an office with the temperature at work, but more or less almost everyone would be satisfied with values more or less like these:

• During the summer, when air conditioning units are used, the ideal temperature would be between 23 ºC and 26 ºC.
• In winter months, when heating systems are common, thermal comfort would be achieved more or less between 20 ºC and 24 ºC.

These temperatures, recommended by the same institution, take into account that workers are dressed in cotton clothing, socks, shoes, and regular underwear.

Humidity and air velocity, keys to the ideal office temperature

We have already mentioned that thermal sensation is influenced by other factors beyond the operative temperature, although it is the most important factor. Nevertheless, it is not the only one. For example, air velocity is also of vital importance, and we can consider it a double-edged sword. Because in summer it may provide relief, but in winter it makes things worse when temperatures are low.

In this way, we can say that the ideal air velocity in the office is a maximum of 0.1 meters per second. Beyond this point, it starts to affect workers, either negatively or positively. However, in the long run, wind and moving air, if at high speeds, can become very bothersome.

Humidity works in a very similar way. Because the relative humidity of the air should be situated in our offices between 30% and 70%. What happens in coastal areas of Spain, where a lot of moisture is stored, is that in summer it is much hotter and in winter the cold seeps into the bones. Humidity can cause the values of operative temperature to become very distorted. Similarly, air conditioning can dry out the environment, and therefore it is specified that humidity should not drop below 50% if possible.

Achieving the best office temperature will make workers operate better and ensure maximum comfort.