What is the optimal temperature for the office? It’s a hot topic of discussion in the staff room, with co-workers constantly trying to gain control over the communal thermostat. While one study found that 42% of people thought their building was too warm and 56% thought it was too cold, the battle continues.
Whatever side of the argument you lean towards, high-quality commercial air conditioning is imperative in a work environment. It supports business operations and keeps everyone cool, calm and collected.
Read on to find out what we here at IACS, your commercial air conditioning contractors in Brisbane, believe to be the main benefits of employing a high performing HVAC system in the office.
Higher comfort levels
Want happy workers? When you have an old HVAC system that cools unevenly, or worst case scenario, no air conditioning at all, you may be depriving your employees of comfort. With air conditioning, everyone in the office can enjoy a consistent temperature all year round, keeping them cool and boosting morale.
This is especially important here in Australia, where it can get very warm during the Summer months. So if there’s a prolonged heatwave, air conditioning is not just a luxury — it’s a necessity.
But it’s not just your employees who benefit. Do you often host events or meetings at your place of work? There’s nothing worse than a room full of people who are hot, sticky, and distressed. When a room is a comfortable temperature, visitors are more likely to have a positive experience, creating a better impression of you and your business.
Enhanced performance
Leading on from this, it’s been proven that workers who are at a comfortable temperature are not only happier, but are also more productive. Think about it — it’s hard to concentrate on getting your work done when you’re too hot or too cold.
You can get irritable, it becomes increasingly hard to focus, and you start to fatigue to the point in which your motivation suffers. In fact, there are many studies which have looked at how an overheated workplace can severely affect productivity and profits:
- The Facilities Management Journal (FMJ) found that nearly one third of office workers lose productivity due to unsuitable office temperatures. 29% stated that they were unable to work efficiently, on average between 10-30 minutes a day due to uncomfortable office temperatures. 6% said that they lose more than 30 minutes a day.
- The International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) found that the top office complaints included high noise levels, limited space, and office temperature being too hot or too cool.
- Cornell University found that there were clear associations between office work performance and indoor environment conditions. The results suggested that performance improves as conditions approach a predicted thermal comfort zone.
Faulty AC distracts your staff, wasting working hours and disrupting their flow. You’ll find that they’re not as motivated or efficient as they would be when the temperature is at a more comfortable level. So if you want your employees to concentrate when they’re on the clock, you need to invest in a good AC unit. That way, they’ll work smarter, harder, and faster with fewer interruptions and mistakes.
Greater noise control
Many modern AC units are very quiet. In fact, you can hardly notice them cooling the air around you from a noise perspective. Their silent operation ensures you employees remain undisturbed and can get on with their work.
Thanks to AC, you can also keep the windows and doors in your office shut. This shuts out any external noise pollution from traffic or motorways, which can be especially problematic if your office is in a busy urban area.
Health and safety
In the confines of an office, it’s very easy for coughs and colds to spread. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to provide a comfortable and safe working environment for your employees. Keeping your business well-ventilated is one way to achieve this.
Air quality plays a huge role in the overall hygiene of an office. While one study found that 82% of office workers were concerned about the indoor air quality [Honeywell, 2022], another found that 62% would quit if their employer didn’t take necessary measures to create a healthier indoor environment that promotes wellbeing.
Many modern AC systems feature filters that purify the air to make sure that there’s nothing harmful being circulated. It improves air quality by reducing dust particles, which brings allergens, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other pollutants. It also catches smoke particles, unpleasant smells, and even allergy-causing mites. Removing these harmful pathogens from the air you breathe improves your commercial environment and promotes the overall health and wellbeing of your staff.
On the flipside, older HVAC systems are breeding grounds for dirt and dust. These particles then travel throughout your HVAC vents and into the air, contaminating it. This can have serious consequences for people with allergies or respiratory problems, leading to increased illnesses, asthma symptoms, allergies, and more.
Reduced humidity
When the temperature outside is colder than inside, it can increase moisture levels (aka humidity) within an office. In turn, this humid air can make a room feel hotter than it actually is.
Not only that, humidity can also lead to several health problems:
- Potential respiratory issues (as a result of mould and mildew)
- Throat irritation
- Problems for staff who wear contact lenses
Air conditioning systems help maintain an ideal humidity level within an office, which is between 40 and 60%. They’re constantly redistributing the air to bring the humidity down and improve the comfort of employees.
AC units also protect your business’ critical equipment. If certain technology overheats, you could potentially lose a lot of money. Cleverly designed AC systems take this heat and humidity away, dispersing that energy elsewhere and ensuring your equipment is safe.
Energy efficiency
Nowadays, air conditioning is one of the most energy efficient ways to control the temperature in your office. Many of the latest HVAC systems are designed to be environmentally friendly.
Modern systems automatically adjust the temperature to ensure that it’s at a constant level throughout the day. They can also be completely tailored to your business, no matter how big or small your office is. For instance, timers that turn the system on and off to maximise efficiency. The result? A reduction in your utility bill and carbon footprint.
Increased security
Opening your doors and windows in your office might seem small but can actually pose a major security risk (particularly for those who store lots of stock or equipment). An open window can be interpreted as an open invitation by thieves, who sometimes take the opportunity to let themselves in.
If windows are overlooked at the end of the day and accidentally left open overnight, you’re leaving the office open to intruders and theft. But with an AC system, you can keep doors and windows firmed closed and unwanted guests out.
Let IACS cool your office
Offices come in all shapes and sizes, and therefore have different commercial air conditioning needs. So it’s important to talk to a professional before fitting a commercial site with an AC system. Without picking the right system, planning where to place the units, and properly installing it, your air conditioning might not run efficiently or effectively.
At IACS, we have a broad range of commercial air conditioning and air handling systems. We’ve been operating in Australia for over 20 years, specifically servicing the Perth and Brisbane communities, with our state-based teams familiar with the local climate and requirements.
We’ve got the experience that comes with partnering with a number of internationally renowned brands across a wide range of commercial air conditioning projects. Offering our clients solutions to their problems, every product we offer is of the highest quality, super reliable, and great value.
Looking for a Brisbane air conditioning service? Chat to IACS today about your office’s commercial HVAC system needs.