Maintaining a comfortable working environment can be surprisingly challenging. This is mainly because there are ever-changing factors that we can’t control which may end up reducing productivity and causing issues in the workplace. A good example of this is the weather. We can’t really control the weather and its effects, but we can try our best to mitigate any problems that it causes.

And one of the biggest problems it can cause is overheating. Whether it’s employees who can’t focus because of the heat or computers literally overheating due to the temperatures, it can cause a number of problems that are surprisingly easy to solve if you’re prepared to do so.

In this post, we’re going to talk about some signs that show that your workplace could do with some better cooling solutions.

The temperature in your workplace is too high

The first sign to look out for is a high temperature. This sounds obvious, but the concept of a high and uncomfortable temperature may be different depending on who you are. Some people may be used to the heat because of their background, and they might find it enjoyable to work in hot environments. However, others might be extremely sensitive to higher temperatures, and they’ll find it tough to focus and get any work done if it’s too hot.

OSHA recommends anything between 68 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit as the ideal working temperature, with humidity in the 20% to 60% range. We suggest getting a temperature monitor or taking a look at your building’s thermostat to see what the current temperatures are. If it’s anything above 76 degrees Fahrenheit, then we strongly recommend lowering it. If it’s around 68 degrees Fahrenheit or a bit lower, then it’s usually acceptable as employees can easily put on something extra to stay warmer, but ideally, it should sit between the ideal range that OSHA has specified.

In short, if your workplace temperature is above 76 degrees Fahrenheit, then we strongly recommend that you work on improving your workplace’s cooling solutions.

The temperature in your workplace is inconsistent

Another sign that you could do with better cooling solutions is to see if the temperatures in your workplace are inconsistent. We’ve already mentioned that the ideal working temperature should be around 68 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit, but this needs to be across your entire office building or warehouse. If there are hot spots or cold spots where this temperature fluctuates a lot, then it could have something to do with the local area.

For example, you might experience higher temperatures in an area where there’s a lot of electronics and hardware. This is why areas like server rooms in office buildings need to have stronger cooling solutions. The hardware generates a lot of heat, and it can create a hot area if you don’t handle the excess heat. Similarly, areas with refrigeration might be colder than other parts of your workplace.

For areas that generate more heat, you can use solutions like industrial fans to help provide a bit of extra heating. However, it could also be due to a lack of ventilation to remove hot air. It’s also possible that your air conditioning system isn’t working properly, resulting in hot spots in certain areas of your workplace, so it’s worth getting the entire system checked out if it’s been a while since you last maintained it.

Increased energy bills in the workplace

If you notice much higher energy bills when it starts to get hot, then it could be that your HVAC solutions aren’t performing correctly. However, you’ll need some kind of reference point to tell this, as it’s often normal to see an increase in energy usage during hot months due to additional cooling requirements.

Upgrading to a more energy-efficient cooling solution is one way to ensure that your workplace is at a more comfortable temperature, but you can also use temporary solutions such as portable air conditioning units and fans. It’s also possible that your HVAC system is working fine, but the vents and filters just need to be cleaned and changed out to create a cooler working environment.

Conclusion

It’s important to create an employee-friendly environment by keeping the temperatures in a comfortable range. However, this can also help when it comes to preventing equipment malfunctions and ensuring your inventory isn’t damaged due to temperature changes. If you notice these signs, then it’s worth taking a look at your cooling solutions to ensure a more productive and stable workplace.