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Temperature can play a big role in our everyday lives. Of course we have no control over what the outside temperature is at any given-time, but you’ve probably noticed that certain types of weather affect your mood differently than others. For example, extreme levels of heat tend to increase irritability in people while rainy weather can negatively impact productivity.
Understanding how temperature and weather can influence how we feel, our moods and our energy levels can help inform us on what temperature might be ideal for any given situation. Temperature affects everyone differently, but generally certain temperatures may be better for certain situations. For some, the impact of temperature may be felt more strongly, making it even more important to optimize your environment’s temperature when you can. Whether you’re trying to encourage socialization, relaxation or increase productivity, the temperature in the room could help. You may find that temperature has been having a bigger effect on you than you thought and adjusting the temperature according to the situation leads to improvements in your mood.
Workplace
The ideal office temperature has been a hotly debated topic for as long as we’ve had control over how hot or how cold we make the room. Considering how much of our time we spend at work, it makes sense that people want to be comfortable with the temperature. For office managers and business owners this can make it challenging to please your employees and provide a comfortable environment that will promote productivity and creativity at work.
So what is the “perfect” temperature for the workplace? It used to be believed that room temperature – between 70 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit, was the ideal temperature for the workplace. However, recent studies have led researchers to believe that closer to 77 degrees Fahrenheit is a more ideal temperature for the workplace. It’s important to note that this isn’t a hard set rule, and various factors can affect whether or not this is an enjoyable temperature for your employees. While studies have shown that both women and men tend to be more productive in slightly warmer temperatures, you don’t want to risk making the room hot because that will have the opposite effect you’re going after. If the room is too hot, then you may actually see a dip in productivity. For example, if the building has more windows in it allowing in more sunlight then this will only add heat to the room. Also, if the air in the office is too humid it can make the air feel warmer, resulting in people only feeling more tired. Aim for a humidity level of 40% or adjust the thermostat accordingly to offset higher humidity levels.
Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep can set the tone for your entire day and determine whether you’re going to be sluggish and irritable or clear-headed and energized. While there are many external factors that can influence how well you sleep each night – such as the light in the room, your mattress and noise levels to name a few, as well as internal factors to consider, such as how much caffeine you consumed that day, stress and distractions, temperature does play an important role in how you sleep. With so many Americans struggling to get enough quality sleep, anything you can do to improve your sleep is always helpful.
Sleeping in a room that’s too hot may cause you to wake up frequently throughout the night and sweat and toss and turn more due to discomfort. This is because sleeping in a room that’s too warm disrupts your body’s thermoregulation abilities and increases fatigue. This means that you’ll feel tired, but will have trouble actually falling asleep.
On the other hand, a cold bedroom isn’t considered as bad for your sleep quality. This is because the ideal temperature for sleeping is around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Our body’s core temperature starts to drop around two hours before we go to sleep as part of our body’s natural circadian rhythm, or natural “body clock” that cues us when to wake and sleep. As we sleep our body temperature continues to fall before gradually warming up as morning gets closer. Sleeping in a colder bedroom supports this process which is why cooler temperatures are better for getting a good night’s sleep.
Entertaining
When you’re home you probably have a go-to thermostat setting that you’re most comfortable with during the day. While this go-to temperature may be ideal for you, what happens when you have guests over and are entertaining? This can be a stressful factor to consider for party planners and hosts and the more guests you have the more unsure you can be on how to make everyone comfortable.
Generally speaking, when having guests over setting your thermostat between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit will create a comfortable environment most guests are happy with (notice how we said most). The fact is, there’s no temperature for social situations that are going to please everyone, but there are safe zones that are more likely to make most guests comfortable. The more people you’re entertaining the lower you may want to go with the thermostat because everyone’s body heat will increase the room’s temperature naturally. You’ll also want to be mindful of the weather outside. On a cold winter day you might need to set the temperature closer to 70 degrees, but on a typical humid, hot summer day you’ll want to do the opposite and set the temperature closer to 60 degrees. This temperature range will make it easier to keep your guests comfortable and ensure everyone has a good time.
Understanding what temperature may be best for certain situations can make it easier to set a comfortable temperature. Discomfort caused by the temperature can make everyday situations unenjoyable and affect our productivity, focus and motivation. Ultimately, having a properly-functioning AC is vital to keeping up with changing temperature demands. JAC Services can make sure your AC unit is in top condition and able to work as needed throughout the seasons and keep you feeling comfortable. Call us today for preventative HVAC maintenance or for repairs and service to your unit.
