The design stage of any construction affects the performance of future occupants of the building. Recent reports show that the quality of the office environment has a direct impact on the thinking, health, and productivity of your employees. One of the ways to boost your employees’ performance is by investing in a high-performance HVAC system. The right HVAC design will optimize air quality, airspeed, and indoor temperature. It not only saves your energy costs but also increase office comfort. Keep reading to find out more about how HVAC affects your office productivity.

Indoor Temperatures

The ideal temperature in a busy office space is subjective. The thermostat setting for your workplace may be too hot for one employee while being too cold for another. While it may be challenging to find an environment that pleases everyone, researchers have found the ideal temperature range.

A recent study by the Finnish Institute Of Occupational Health found that:

  • Employee productivity peaked at 21°C to 25°C range, while most companies recorded an optimum at 22°C.
  • Low temperatures of 18°C caused a drop in productivity by about 10%.
  • High temperatures of 30°C and above lead to productivity drop, with employees recording 91% efficiency.
  • Women were affected more by lower temperatures, while men complained more about high temperatures.

Your HVAC design may require continuous service and maintenance to ensure the optimum temperature range remains unaffected. Experts agree that efficient HVAC systems require a minimum of two maintenance inspections every year. It will involve calculating the heating and cooling loads for your office and calibrating the thermostats to the appropriate temperature range. The well building standard recommends placing your employees at localized temperature controls. The occupants can work in temperatures at which they feel comfortable.

Indoor Air Quality

Stale air in your office building will make your office less productive. Most modern office buildings’ air circulation solely depends on HVAC designs. Stuffiness and strong perfumes may disrupt workflow in your office as the employees get uncomfortable with the environment.

A study by David P. on “Effects of Indoor Environment on Performance” revealed that improved ventilation leads to increased productivity. He reported that improvements in air quality led to increased employee performance by up to 10%. Additionally, a different study by Harvard and Syracuse Universities found that:

  • Employees in green-certified buildings reported a 30% drop in complaints about headaches and respiratory tract infections.
  • The employees also performed better in cognitive tasks, with an increase of 27% in productivity levels.
  • The workers also recorded better sleeping patterns at night.

The government estimates that “presenteeism,” working while sick, cost the U.S economy over $150 billion annually. These common illnesses, such as flu, can be easily avoided with the right HVAC system installation. Commercial HVAC contractors play a significant role in improving the quality of your indoor environment. Maintaining the air quality within office buildings is paramount. Air pollutants in faulty HVAC designs cause respiratory irritations and even flare-ups in asthmatic employees.

In Conclusion

Setting up a conducive environment for your employees is paramount for office productivity. A high-quality HVAC system installed by a qualified commercial contractor will improve office comfort by setting the right temperature and air quality. Your employees’ performance will improve drastically. For commercial HVAC services, contact Spectrum Mechanical today.