This is a case study conducting in collaboration with the team at The Workstation. The research was conducted in one of their St Albans based serviced offices with a team of 27 employees monitored during a two week period.
Keeping employees motivated in an office environment is always a challenge. With very little stimulation workers will often get tired and cranky, and a lack of physical comfort can significantly decrease their productivity.
With computers, lighting and other office equipment running constantly throughout the day, the office space will often become hot and uncomfortable. While air conditioning may seem like an unnecessary expense, it’s a small price to pay when you consider the amount of wasted work that’s directly attributed to overheating.
A comfortable working environment is a happy working environment. Studies have shown that heat has a direct impact on how people work and offices with stable temperatures are often far more efficient.
Investing in air conditioning
A HVAC system is expensive; however, while the upfront costs may seem phenomenal, the returns definitely outweigh the negatives. When an office environment is 30% more efficient, the costs will be recouped over time. For example, if you have three office workers that are increasing their productivity by 30%, theoretically you’ll be getting the value of a whole other worker; in addition, consider the salary, recruitment costs and equipment costs of hiring someone new.
Contact trusted companies, such as Fahrenheit HVAC, to invest in your quality HVAC system today.
Common health issues
Employees that work in an office building are often more prone to health problems due to inadequate HVAC systems. The most common issue is known as Sick Building Syndrome, which is a respiratory condition. Even minor irritations such as dry eyes can takes their toll on work productivity and result in more sick days. A good quality air conditioning system that’s regularly maintained can prevent these health problems from occurring. Partner with the right service provider with expertise in air conditioning maintenance like this one.
Maintaining stable temperatures
Optimum thermal comfort is when the temperature goes unnoticed. Air conditioning is a crucial element of maintaining the correct balance. While a few degrees above or below the ideal temperature may not sound like much, it can make a huge difference. Experts state that increasing or lowering the temperature by just 2% can result in a 10% productivity loss.
Employer responsibility
As an employer, it’s your responsibility to ensure your employees are comfortable and safe in the workspace. There’s only so far discipline can take you and if you truly want to maximise productivity, increase profits and get more out of your business, investing in good quality air conditioning could be all that it takes.
Selecting an air conditioning system
There is a wide selection of different units to choose from, each with their own positives and negatives. While a smaller, more portable unit is okay for a 1-2 person office, it wouldn’t suffice in a larger space. However, fully integrated HVAC systems can cost a lot of money. In addition, maintenance costs should also be taken into account. In most circumstances a professional HVAC specialist, such as Macair, will be required to clean the system and ensure it’s running smoothly.
Overall, installing air conditioning is an investment, not an expense, as over time the costs will pay for themselves and boost profits.