Anyone who has worked in a workplace that is either too hot or too cold knows how difficult it can be to get things done. When all you can focus on is how uncomfortable you are, productivity seems to vanish. If this problem has been popping up in your workplace, there are a few things that you can do to get a handle on the temperature and hopefully make it a little more comfortable for you and your employees.
Air Conditioning And Heat
First of all there is the most obvious answer – you will want proper heating and air conditioning systems installed in your workplace. Make sure these systems are running well, and perform routine maintenance on them to ensure you are getting the most out of them. These systems are the best way to regulate the temperature, but they can also be quite expensive to maintain. If your system is not doing enough, or if you just want to save some money, there are other options.
Open The Windows
Depending on the temperature outside, and what it is like inside, opening the windows of your workplace could do quite a lot. Opening your windows allows a nice breeze to flow in, and can either cool down an office if it is too warm, or warm it up if it is too cold. Make sure you have some paperweights laying around so that you don’t lose any papers, and talk to other employees in the area to make sure they are comfortable with the window being open.
Use A Fan
Portable fans plugged in around the office can provide a cooling breeze, and a fairly cheap to run. While they won’t cool off a room entirely, then can provide a little bit of relief if a room is just too hot. Consider installing a fan inside a window for an added effect, and getting some cool air from outside to flow in more quickly.
Turn Down The Lights
Bright lights can make an area feel warmer, so turn them down if things are getting too hot. On a hot Summer day turning down the lights will help you to feel a little cooler, and even save you money on your electric bill. Just be sure that everyone has enough light to see, and that they are not straining their eyes to get their work done.
Insulation
One reason that your workplace may be too hot or cold is that it is not properly insulated. Even if you have a great heating or air conditioning system, it will not do you much good if your place is not insulated well. You should speak to a heating and air conditioning specialist in your area, and ask them to inspect your workplace and evaluate how well insulated you are. In addition, if you work in an area with a large open space to the outside– such as a loading dock – you may want to consider installing insulated curtain walls. These walls will allow you to keep the area more comfortable, without requiring you to install an entirely new wall. You can then move them aside when it comes to use the area.
Make Comfort A Priority
There are plenty of ways that you can go about altering the temperature of your workplace. Depending on what your current situation is, and how much money you want to spend, the choice you ultimately go with will vary. However, since comfort is so important to having productive employees, it is essential that you make a choice, and do your best to ensure your workplace is comfortable for everyone working there year-round.
