Here in Albany, New York, temperatures and humidity levels can vary dramatically each day.
This summer has already illustrated this phenomenon — a heat wave one week and rainy, 60-degree temperatures the next. Research has shown that employee productivity relies heavily on office temperatures, with employees committing approximately 40% more errors when offices are cold compared to when they are warm.
What’s the best way to stay comfortable while you’re at work? Start by knowing this: It’s impossible to please everyone. While one employee fans herself with a piece of paper, another is reaching for a sweater. Here are five tips to keep your employees happy and your office comfortable when temperatures rise.
- Layer Up.
Be prepared for fluctuating temperatures by wearing layers. If you’re a business owner, consider implementing a more casual dress code during the summer months so employees can forget the suits at home.
- Stay Hydrated.
“The rule of thumb is, if you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated,” says Dr. Irvin Sulapas, sports medicine physician and assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor University. Dehydration causes feelings of sleepiness, irritability, confusion, headaches, and dizziness. Give out company water bottles to promote employees to drink water throughout the day.
- Tune Up And Turn On.
Open windows and air conditioning is an adverse combination that can cause chaos on employee comfort and your electricity bill. Be sure to properly maintain your AC unit to keep the cool air inside and ensure that your air conditioning runs smoothly.
- Switch Off And Cool Down.
Unused and obsolete office machinery increases your bills and your office temperature. Unplug all unused equipment and ask employees to turn off computers when they leave for the night. (Sleep mode still uses energy and contributes to office warming.)
- Use High-Efficiency Lighting.
Incandescent light bulbs radiate heat and add to your bottom line during peak energy usage months. Making the switch to energy-efficiency lighting, such as LEDs, can reduce energy usage by about 25%-80% and can last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.
You might also consider getting an office energy audit, which is an expert assessment of the amount of energy your office consumes to give suggestions on how to make it more efficient.
“An energy audit is a good first step in making your office more comfortable, not just in the summer months, but all year long,” says Dave Eck, maintenance manager for The Anderson Group in Albany, NY.
For more helpful office tips and to see our available office spaces throughout New York’s Capital Region, visit our website!
