HOW TO FIGHT THE HEAT IN THE OFFICE?

Summer is starting earlier and longer every year. The heat waves are relentless and in recent years they have become more frequent with each passing year. With the new regulations on workplace temperatures, it is becoming increasingly common to be hot in the office. We explain you how combat the heat in the office.

Workplaces are turning into ovens and working in the heat is very unpleasant. It has been proven to affect workers’ productivity. It is more difficult to concentrate on the task at hand, and performance decreases. This being the case, it is necessary to find ways to combat the heat in the office and create a cooler and more pleasant environment.

At DESMON we have a lot of experience in the office furniture sector. We have been responsible for equipping spaces of different sizes and have found ways to reduce the heat in the office. We have focused on developing different actions that promote a cooler and more comfortable working space.

These actions concern, firstly, the office building and its infrastructure. Secondly, there are a number of actions that can be carried out by employees. In this post we explain everything that can be done to mitigate the heat in the office.

REGULATING THE TEMPERATURE IN THE OFFICE

The saying that it never rains for everyone can be applied when it comes to heat in the office. It is necessary to regulate the temperature but, whatever the atmosphere in the premises, there will always be between 5% and 10% of the staff who will be unhappy either because of the heat or the cold.

With that in mind, it is worth remembering that the National Institute for Health and Safety at Work os Spain advises the following guidelines for regulating temperature:

• Office temperature in summer: between 23° and 26°C.
• Air speed: less than 1 m/s
• Office temperature in winter: between 20° and 24°C.
• Office humidity: between 30% and 70%.

AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS

Of course, installing an air conditioner is almost mandatory to combat the heat in the office. It is recommended that it is an A+++ energy-efficient system. In addition, and this is very important, it is necessary to have an annual check-up to check the condition of the filters, the motor and the refrigerant gas.

It is important to remember that it is not advisable to leave the appliance running for 24 hours a day. If this is the case, it will cost a considerable amount of money and the impact on the environment will also be harmful.

The best solution is to set it to start a few hours before the staff arrives. That way, the temperature will already be optimal when the working day begins. Similarly, it should be switched off when no one is in the office.

Finally, when the air conditioning is in operation, the doors and windows to the outside should always be closed.

ACTIONS ON WINDOWS, CURTAINS AND FURNITURE

An interesting measure to withstand the heat in the workplace is to install insulated windows with double glazing. The air gap between the two pieces will act as insulation.

Another interesting option is to use double curtains. The one closest to the window should be white so as not to accumulate heat. The inner curtain should be black to keep out the light and prevent the sun’s rays.

If the outside walls of the building are white, they will not accumulate as much heat and the temperature will not rise as much inside. And remember that it is important to ventilate the office in the early morning or late afternoon. During this period it is cooler and the indoor thermometer will not soar.

If the size of the office allows it, it is also possible to rearrange the office furniture away from the windows. Also, remember that if the entire surface area of the room is not being used, it is possible to install movable partitions to limit the space. In this way, the air conditioning will have to cool smaller areas and its effect will be greater.

It is also a good idea to supplement the air-conditioning operation by placing fans at certain points in the office. This facilitates the circulation of the cooled air and prevents the creation of “hot pockets”.

Finally, DESMON recommends placing plants in the office. The plant element cools the environment, r

WEAR THE RIGHT CLOTHES FOR LESS HEAT IN THE OFFICE

Employees can also help combat the heat in the office. The first recommendation is to wear light, breathable clothing such as cotton or linen. Whenever possible, avoid wearing a blazer and tie your hair up to keep the nape of your neck a little cooler.

DRINK WATER FREQUENTLY

Hydration is essential and even more so in the hot months. It is almost mandatory that employees have bottles of water to drink often. It is best to drink water at a medium temperature and not ice cold or very cold. If we drink water at a very low temperature, the contrast with the environment will be greater and we will feel hotter.

On the other hand, fizzy drinks or soft drinks are not very advisable because of the amount of sugar they contain. Without a doubt, the best thing to do is to drink water.

LIGHT AND REFRESHING MEALS TO BEAT THE HEAT

When it comes to food, it is vital to eat fresh and light products. Ideally, opt for salads or cold creams. Also, pay attention to the amount of food you fill your plates with and opt for light meals. It is crucial to include fruit and vegetables because they provide fibre and are naturally refreshing.

And one last tip: it is important to avoid drinking coffee. Firstly, because it tends to be hot and secondly, because it is a natural diuretic and contributes to dehydration of the body.

ADAPT YOUR SCHEDULE TO FEEL LESS HOT IN THE OFFICE

If the work consists of visiting clients, supervising construction sites or carrying out field work, it is important to do it early in the morning. If these tasks are carried out throughout the day, we are bound to suffer from the impact of high temperatures. So, whenever possible, between 7am and 10am.

THE HEAT IN THE OFFICE IS LESS IF YOU REST

Finally, it is important to remember the importance of resting at work. Taking a few minutes to stretch your legs, cooling your face in the washroom or drinking water while chatting with colleagues is highly recommended. The rest areas in the office are there for this purpose and this momentary “disconnection” will help us to combat the heat.

DESMON, EXPERTS IN FURNITURE

At DESMON we can offer you office furniture for premises of all sizes. Our materials are healthy and will have a positive effect on maintaining a suitable temperature in your company’s premises.

We have a multidisciplinary team of experts in the design, manufacture and installation of all our pieces of furniture. We are specialists in offering customised solutions and we offer you made-to-measure works. Get in touch with us and we will help you to plan your office space.