With the summer months well underway, chances are everyone in your office is getting a little sluggish. Increased temperatures and humidity levels tend to have that effect on people! Although there are a number of ways to increase staff productivity, creating a cool, comfortable, and effective work environment is an investment you won’t regret.
The installation of a high-quality air conditioning unit is an excellent place to begin, but knowing the best time to upgrade your current air conditioner isn’t always as clear cut as it should be. Your air conditioner’s age, the current cost of energy and the frequency of repairs are all indicators that upgrade is imminent – click here to discover more tell-tale signs that say it’s time to upgrade – but what could a new and improved system mean for employee productivity?
What effect does air conditioning have on workers?
Increased temperatures and humidity levels have a direct impact on the productivity of workers at all levels. If a work environment is too hot, employees are more likely to feel lethargic, with concentration levels decreasing dramatically as a result. At the other end of the scale, work environments that are too cold have an equally negative effect. For instance, lower working temperatures are linked to a higher risk of illness.
Controlling the temperature and humidity of your work environment isn’t easy, especially with the ever-growing presence of heat-generating technology. These days a simple open window or desktop fan can’t be relied on to provide comfort or coolness. That’s where air conditioning comes in.
The correct use of air conditioning increases productivity throughout the workplace. Air conditioners that are poorly maintained have gained some negative press in recent years, but a well-maintained, regularly inspected system can create a work environment honed for maximum focus, concentration and performance.
Why is poor ventilation a big problem?
Poor ventilation has always been an issue in commercial buildings. Some 40 years ago office buildings were actually sealed to improved energy efficiency, with the energy crisis of the 1970s, triggering panic. Whilst these sealed buildings reduced the amount of heat escaping and kept cool air outside where it belonged, the air within grew stagnant. With this, sick building syndrome was born, as The Balance describes:
While lower ventilation rates did save energy, in many cases these reduced outdoor air ventilation rates were found to be inadequate to maintain the health and comfort of building occupants, and people started getting sick from buildings in droves. During this time, the trend was to incorporate sealed windows and not allow occupants to control the ventilation in their spaces.
Sick building syndrome causes a number of unpleasant symptoms, including eye irritation, nasal congestion, throat tightness, itchy skin, fatigue, headaches, and low concentration levels.
How can an upgrade help?
Thankfully we now have a greater, more in-depth understanding of why ventilation and high air quality are important. Modern buildings are designed and constructed with this in mind, but older commercial and industrial buildings need a helping hand to reduce the nasty effects of sick building syndrome and subsequently increase employee productivity. An air conditioning upgrade can provide the controllable temperatures and comfort levels workplaces need to improve conditions.
Ready to upgrade your air conditioning system? To find out more about our office air conditioning services or to request a free, no-obligation survey, please contact us today.
