Are your employees complaining about being too cold in the office? Do they bring in space heaters to feel more comfortable in their work environment? Is the work quality suffering from the constant chilly temperatures? There is a proven correlation between the comfort level of employees and their efficiency.
A professional commercial HVAC repair from Patterson can help. Professor Alan Hedge, an ergonomics professor at Cornell University, measured keystrokes performed by office workers at their workstations, and analyzed productivity results from 68 to 85 degrees. He found that the workers typed twice as many words when the temperature was 85 degrees, as compared to 68 degrees. Colder workers also made more mistakes than the warmer workers.
Is there an ideal comfort zone to maintain the highest level of efficiency and comfort for employees?
Yes, there actually is an optimal temperature range for the best productivity in the workplace: between 72 to 79 degrees, year round. However, if workers are required to wear suits, you will need to adjust a few degrees cooler for your temperature range. An optimal comfort environment means that you will minimize worker complaints and achieve the best efficiency and overall work satisfaction.
Are you losing revenue and productivity, and in need of a HVAC repair? Restoring comfort to your business is the top priority at Patterson Heating and Air Conditioning in Charlotte, NC. We provide high quality, timely service for commercial HVAC customers, and will help you to achieve the ideal comfort zone for your employees.
Here are some of the ways that you can achieve the ideal comfort zone:
Check the humidity level in your office building and research the forecasts to determine if there will be high humidity. If so, you can set your air conditioning higher, which will make it feel dryer, accommodating the higher humidity.
Install office windows that open to provide a gentle breeze on nice days. Studies show that the refreshing breeze will decrease fatigue and increase productivity. Increasing the fan usage or speed on your AC system can also result in better air circulation and increased efficiency in workers.
Add temperature systems to individual workspaces, which is now more affordable in the long run, from energy savings. Employees will experience greater comfort, and the overall HVAC system can be set for a wider range of temperatures.
Create win-win factors in your office environment, with regards to temperature. Studies show that women feel colder than men in the office, since they tend to have less muscle mass than men, and their ankles are more often exposed, which chills the body faster. Look at all of the factors in your office space, to determine the optimal layout for even temperatures. For instance, the proximity to vents makes a difference on the air flow and temperature around an individual, so a cold-natured person may want to be very close to the vent for heat in the winter. Also, computers and windows generate heat, so you will want to situate people around certain elements, based on their expectations and preferences.
You may notice that you have tried to achieve the ideal comfort zone, but you are still not successful in maintaining a comfortable temperature in the office. A repair may be needed to your HVAC system. If you notice spikes in your heating or cooling bills, or if you notice significant hot or cold spots in the office, your system may need a repair. Other signs for a repair include an increased level of dust and humidity in the air, and strange noises from your HVAC system.
Patterson Heating and Air Conditioning can help you with all types of commercial HVAC repairs in Charlotte. The members of our team are motivated, friendly and respectful. We will provide you with valuable information to customize your HVAC settings for optimal comfort. The ideal comfort zone for your employees can be achieved with Patterson Heating and Air Conditioning’s service and systems. For additional information, please visit the specials page at www.gopatterson.com/special-offers/ where you will find special offers, reviews and frequently asked questions regarding heating and air conditioning service and maintenance.
Source: NyTimes: When The Office Gives You Chills, nytimes.com
