Does Office Temperature Impact Employee Productivity?

It seems like there is always a struggle to get office temperatures just right. Everyone has their own preference, with some liking it warm, some like it a bit chilly, and others fall in the middle. So it’s no surprise that the number one employee complaint about office conditions is temperature, according to the International Facility Management Association. In fact, studies have confirmed that the right office temperature can actually boost employee productivity.

What is the right office temperature?

According to a Cornell University study, employee productivity is at its highest when office temperature falls between 70 and 73 degrees. Employee productivity starts to take a dive when the office temperature drops below 63 degrees or climbs above 82 degrees. When the temperature fell outside of the optimal range, employees began wasting 10% of their time per hour and started making 44% more mistakes. That adds up quickly! But office temperature doesn’t just affect employee productivity; temperature can also affect customer service and morale.

According to another study, this one in the in the journal, Science, cold people tend to view others as cold (unfriendly) and treat them accordingly. This can not only impact the way your employees interact among themselves, further diminishing productivity, but also the way your employees interact with customers, which could be costing you money. When temperatures go up, so do our moods, making us happier at our jobs.

Where do you set your office thermostat?

Sometimes, the problem isn’t your temperature settings, but your HVAC efficiency. If you notice your HVAC system is struggling to maintain your desired office temperature, and if you see space heaters being used throughout your office, it may be time to call Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI).

You could have air flow problems which cause hot and cold spots throughout your office. By ensuring your HVAC systems are maintained and tuned-up, you will benefit from uniform heating and cooling and less disparity when it comes to office temperatures. By performing preventive maintenance, not only will you improve efficiency and reduce costs, but you can ensure office temperatures are comfortable for tenants.

To learn more about The Link between Office Temperature and Employee Productivity, please contact Crockett Facilities Services Inc. (CFSI) by calling 202.600.2787 or email sales@crockett-facilities.com. CFSI provides 24/7 commercial mechanical and HVAC services throughout Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. So give us a call today to find out how our MSCA GreenSTAR certified service technicians can improve your HVAC performance and energy efficiency.

You can also follow CFSI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+.

Sources:

Comfortable offices increase employee productivity Plumbing and Mechanical Magazine

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 27th, 2014 at . Both comments and pings are currently closed.