Setting the air conditioning too high in an office is not only irresponsible from an energy use standpoint, it also degrades employee productivity.
There is strong data to back that premise. The director of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory at Cornell University pointed to a study that found offices with temperatures in the low 70s reduced the output of employees and led to increased mistakes.
The study measured the number of keystrokes employees typed in an office. In a 78F environment, workers produced more than twice as many keystrokes as those in a 70-degree environment. Productivity rose along with temperature in a linear fashion into the high 70s. It began to drop when temperatures reached the mid-80s.
The cold is distracting, with people doing things like rubbing their hands together for warmth. This issue may be impacted by the increased popularity of lighter, more casual wear in the office. De facto cooling temperature standards of 68F to 72F were established in the 1960s when business suits were the dominant office attire.
Related Stories
| Apr 26, 2012
New York City Council moves to license elevator mechanics
New York’s City Council introduced a measure last week that would require the city’s 7,000 elevator mechanics to meet national standards and be licensed by the city.
| Apr 23, 2012
AAMA releases updated specification for anodized aluminum
AAMA 611-12 describes test procedures and requirements for high performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products.
| Apr 19, 2012
Michigan legislature tackling controversial rules on electricians
A fight is brewing in the Michigan legislature over how many fully qualified electricians must be present during electrical work when apprentices also are on hand.
| Apr 19, 2012
Washington city may base building code on rising sea level due to global warming
Aberdeen may become the first city in Washington to base a building code on rising oceans and global warming.
| Apr 19, 2012
CSI webinar on energy codes and building envelopes
This seminar will review recent changes in energy codes, examples of building enclosure wall assemblies for code compliance, potential moisture management and durability challenges, and design tools to assess and minimize potential problems.
| Apr 19, 2012
Innovative plan for storm water in Philadelphia gets EPA’s OK
Philadelphia's $2 billion plan to manage its storm water with green methods including porous pavement, green roofs, and more trees, was officially approved last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
| Apr 19, 2012
LEED 2012 to include new credit category for transit-oriented development
The updated LEED 2012 system will introduce a new credit category, “Location and Transportation,” to encourage development oriented around public transit and more walkable communities.
| Apr 17, 2012
FMI report examines federal construction trends
Given the rapid transformations occurring in the federal construction sector, FMI examines the key forces accelerating these changes, as well as their effect on the industry.
