Part of this conflict stems from a poor configuration of air conditioning in buildings, especially in the hottest months of the year due to the lack of power from the air conditioning. Controlling the ideal temperature in the office is a key factor in controlling environmental comfort along with others such as lighting and noise.
A few years ago, the government decided to set the interior temperature in the buildings where the ministries are located at 24ºC to save energy and promote the comfort of its employees. But is this the ideal temperature for air conditioning in offices? What do the experts say? You are in the right place, keep reading and we will tell you.
The importance of correctly regulating the temperature in offices
It is commonly considered that a temperature between 21 and 22 degrees Celsius is ideal for a work environment, so that the comfort of workers is maximized and their thermal sensation is regulated.
However, recent studies, such as the one presented by the University of Maastrich (Holland), published in the journal Building Research & Information, indicate that achieving the ideal temperature in the office to create a dynamic work environment in which variations occur continuous temperature so as to benefit the health of the people who work there.
These studies also conclude that exposing the body to temperature variations above 22ºC and below 21ºC can have a positive effect on the health of workers and establish a comfortable work environment. These temperature variations will cause the metabolism to accelerate, thus consuming more energy and producing beneficial effects for the immune system and cardiovascular level.
The keys to optimal temperature in offices: humidity and air speed
To achieve the objective of maximizing the comfort of the workers in an office, it is necessary to work around their thermal sensation, in this aspect other factors influence in addition to the temperature set by the thermostat. These are the speed and relative humidity of the air.
Air speed is an element that can have both a positive and negative impact on the comfort of workers depending on the time of year and its intensity. In summer a higher speed can be a delight while in winter it can worsen the thermal sensation of cold. Therefore, it is calculated that the ideal air conditioning speed in the office is a maximum of 0.1 meters per second.
The relative humidity of the air must also be taken into account. The recommended values in the offices should be between 30% and 70% depending on the humidity present in the area where we are. In coastal areas where humidity is naturally higher, it should be controlled
Something very similar happens with humidity. Because the relative humidity of the air in our offices must be between 30% and 70% depending on the humidity present in the geographical area in which we are located.
Temperature in offices: regulations to apply
The temperature present in work centers and offices is a key factor within working conditions and is framed within the field of ergonomics in occupational risk prevention.
For this reason, there is a regulation to be applied within Royal Decree 486/1997 that regulates the minimum provisions of safety and health at work. In Annex III of this text, the conditions of minimum and maximum temperatures in closed work centers are indicated with the obligation to comply with the fact that extreme temperatures and humidity, sudden changes in temperature, annoying air currents must be avoided. , unpleasant odors, excessive irradiation and, in particular, solar radiation through windows, lights or glass partitions ”.
In places where sedentary or static work is carried out, as in the case of offices, the temperature must range between 17ºC and 25ºC
In the case of work centers where light work is carried out (warehouses, logistics centers…) the established temperature range is established between 14ºC and 25ºC.
Ideal temperature in the office for summer
It is important that the temperature of the offices in summer is between 23ºC and 27ºC without the difference with the outside temperature exceeding 12 degrees to avoid sudden changes in temperature at the end of the day.
On the other hand, a progressive cooling of the room is recommended, avoiding setting a very low starting temperature on the thermostat to avoid higher energy consumption and an uncomfortable situation for workers.
For this, the use of programmable thermostats is important to achieve an ideal temperature for air conditioning in offices and a more efficient use of equipment.
Now that you know the keys to conditioning your office this summer, ask yourself the following question: does your company have optimal temperature conditions in the office? Are your equipment energy efficient?
Establishing a suitable temperature in your office will encourage your workers to be more productive and work in better conditions of comfort. At Met Mann we can advise you to get your office air conditioned and achieve that ideal temperature so that working during these summer months is a pleasure.
Consult our product catalog and do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.