Many business owners struggle to find a workplace temperature that works for the majority of employees and customers, especially during the winter. A quick check of the research turns up dozens of scientific studies that endeavor to determine the optimal workplace temperature for comfort and productivity. Not surprisingly, they all arrive at different conclusions. If scientists can’t agree on the ideal temperature for businesses, no wonder it’s difficult for owners and facilities managers. How Temperature Affects Productivity The one thing that science does seem to agree on is the temperature at which people work the hardest and make the fewest errors. OSHA recommends a workplace temperature between 68-76 degrees, but that’s a fairly broad range. Most researchers find the sweet spot between 71 and 72 degrees, but a Cornell University study found that data-entry personnel hit almost 100% productivity with a low level of errors at 77 degrees. Many employers try to conserve energy and save money by adjusting the thermostat down a few degrees during the cold months, but experts say this approach may be costing you money instead of saving it. When staff members are too cold, they begin taking more frequent breaks to walk around, run warm water over their hands or complain to coworkers about the cold. Keeping Your Customers Comfortable Too During the winter, your customers come in from the cold, bundled up like snowmen. If your business is oriented toward retail or on-site sales, it is advantageous for them to linger a while. A warm building feels welcoming when you first come in from the cold, but after clients acclimate, they can quickly become too warm. Climate-control experts recommend setting up zones that keep the areas around entry doors a few degrees warmer than the balance of the space. Employees and customers alike will appreciate the initial blast of warmth, but won’t become too warm if they stay. An added bonus is that this will reduce the arctic blast you feel every time the door opens. If your front door sees a lot of heavy use, you may even wish to consider a heated air-curtain system. When Employees Fight Over the Thermostat The debate about temperature rages on in many offices, with almost two-thirds of employees in a recent Globe and Mail study reporting that their workplace argues about temperature. Although most employees will agree on a reasonable range of temperature, often a few outliers will argue bitterly and complain about being too hot or too cold. Several factors can affect temperature preference, including age, weight and clothing choices, but if someone simply has a different internal thermostat than their coworkers, chaos can ensue. Many companies encourage colder employees to keep portable space heaters under their desks, but this violates fire code in many municipalities. The ill will created among staff can damage productivity and increase absenteeism. Although this problem may seem hopeless, there are options beyond ongoing bad feelings and thermostat gridlock. Heating and air conditioning contractors have the ability to divide a workplace into zones that can be individually adjusted for comfort. Some offices have even added individual cubicle-level controls. New technologies in HVAC such as radiant heat panels and ductless mini-split systems will allow some employees to enjoy a colder environment while keeping others toasty warm. If your customers and staff are fighting the temperature wars, contact a licensed contractor in your area. The solution to finding the best workplace temperature may be much easier than you believe.
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