How to Keep Your Office Cool This Summer With Commercial Cooling

If the previous winter is any indication of the extreme weather patterns and record-setting temperatures that are becoming the norm in today’s world, we’re in for one heck.  An unsung problem for most companies during summer is: a hot work environment anywhere can greatly affect employee health and morale.

Work environment and your employee

If your office gets too hot, employees are much more prone to being uncomfortable, irritable, even hot tempered and unproductive. There are also practical considerations, such as sweaty hands affecting manual tasks like handling tools or shuffling papers. Sweat dripping from the face can be a hygienic concern in places such as restaurants and clinics. People also tend to wipe sweat from their faces every few seconds with their hands, and of course, cannot wash them after every wipe.

There are also health concerns for employees working in a hot office. Heat rashes can become highly irritating and make people unable to focus on their work. Employees can also suffer from heat cramps, fainting, and even heat exhaustion with symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, confusion, extreme weakness, or fatigue.

Certain work places can be especially dangerous in terms of heat exposure this summer, such as bakeries, boiler rooms, and factories. However, even regular offices can pose a huge risk of heat stress to employees, especially to those who are 65 years or older,  suffer from heart disease or high blood pressure. These problems are not only a hindrance to productivity and a social concern, they can also lead to serious legal issues.

Stay cool

Fortunately, there are ways to beat the heat! Here are some simple and effective things you can do to keep your office or workplace cool this summer:

• Install curtains

Glass doors and windows without shades can allow up to 50% more heat in during the summer. Sunlight coming in heats whatever it lands on, and simply installing some curtains or blinds can make a huge difference in the overall temperature.

• Closing and opening windows and doors as needed

Close windows and doors in the morning will allow you to minimize the heat coming in during the day and will help with cooling during the night.

• Be mindful of your appliances and equipment

All electronics generate various amounts of heat, so turn off anything when not in use. Appliances such as printers, copy machines, ovens, and coffee machines can emit massive amounts of heat, which employees will most definitely feel. Switching to LED lights also reduces the heat generated by lighting, and saves you money on your electric bill as well.

• Upgrade your commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC)

This is still the most effective way to keep your office cool. Ditching your outdated and energy-guzzling unit and exchanging it for a newer, more energy-efficient model is a highly effective way to keep your office cool during the summer, and warm during winters. Plus, it can translate to huge savings in the long-run, especially when you keep your units well-maintained.

An HVAC unit is really the only way to ensure that temperatures remain at a constant, work-friendly level. Try, however, to keep the settings at a slightly warmer 24 degrees Celsius instead of the usual 22.5 degrees. This can reduce your energy consumption by up to 18% over the summer, and also eases the transition of your employees from the hot outside to the cool indoors.

Level One HVAC is a company that specializes in commercial/business heating and cooling. It provides full service installation and maintenance of highly efficient HVAC systems. We have a team of specially trained professionals, and offer 24/7 service and a standard 1-year warranty on construction from the completion date of the project. Call us today at 248-486-6500 or email info@209.59.164.49 for all your commercial HVAC service needs.

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