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Whether in a home office or an actual company office, having an air conditioning unit can somehow affect your productivity. A comfortable office temperature boosts productivity and increases efficiency among employees.
Office temperature and productivity
The air conditioning system in your office affects the productivity of employees. However, some people find the connection between the two a little vague. The truth is the temperature inside a workplace influences employee behaviour. It can either decrease or increase the productivity among employees as:
1. Office temperature influences mood
On an emotional level, the human body responds to changes in temperature. Our brain correlates sensations with our surroundings. For instance, chilly weather makes us feel more lonely, but warm weather helps us feel more sociable. On the other hand, extreme heat is related to higher tempers, which means getting too hot may not be a good idea.
2. Affects pace and movement
When an office is overly cold, it could impair the mobility of the employees around the workplace. In addition, a lower temperature can tense the muscles, hence, restricting a person’s movement and interfering with overall concentration. This situation becomes worse when you enter a cold office after staying under the extreme heat outdoors.
3. Boosts morale
When the temperature inside your office becomes too high or too low, morale in the office will typically shift. On the other hand, when office temperature is ideal, you and your coworkers can efficiently work to establish mutual understanding, ensuring that productivity does not suffer.
4. Impairs decision making
The temperature in the office can impact our ability to make decisions. Cooler temperatures make us more attentive, but higher temperatures help us avoid making complicated decisions. This is highly vital if you are in an administrative role where you must make key decisions for yourself and your company.
The ideal temperature inside an office for productivity
The air conditioning in your office not only affects employee comfort. It can influence the overall workplace productivity. According to a study, there is an improvement in overall performance with temperatures 69.8℉ to 71.6℉. Office work performance lowers when the temperature is about 73.4℉ to 74.5℉.
You can ask a reliable air conditioning Southampton company to install your office air conditioning system if your office is located in the area or nearby. They will show you how to set the best temperature ideal for your office.
Humidity level ideal for office workplaces
Humidity is another environmental factor in offices that affect work performance. As with temperature, numerous scientific bodies offer guidelines for optimal humidity levels.
Once more, there are no definitive regulations in this aspect, although OSHA does offer guidance. It is recommended that your workplace humidity control should be set between 20 and 60 percent to get the most comfortable working environment.
Indoor humidity levels that are comfortable for the workplace can vary depending on the weather. Usually, 30-50 percent is appropriate for winter, while 40-50 percent is ideal for summer.
Conclusion
To sum it up, air conditioning improves office productivity by influencing employees’ behaviour. It sets a comfortable indoor temperature that affects a person’s mood, mobility, and decision-making ability. To boost productivity in your workplace, invest in an efficient air conditioning system.