Working from home can be great for your productivity; with no distractions, you can do your best work. However, a home office that is too hot or too cold can leave you struggling to concentrate. Let’s take a look at how environment can affect productivity and how you can ensure your office is always at the optimal temperature.
What’s the Ideal Temperature For a Home Office?
According to a study published in 2006, workers are most productive at temperatures between 69.8 and 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Computers have a similar optimum temperature range, between 68 and 71 degrees. Ultimately, the right temperature for you is an individual choice, so don’t be afraid to adjust your thermostat if you find yourself feeling chilly or overheated.
How to Optimize the Temperature in Your Home Office
Set your home heating or air conditioning system to switch on about half an hour before you start work in the morning. This ensures that you won’t lose time waiting for the office to heat or cool to the right temperature. During the day, a thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature to keep it in the correct range, so you don’t need to continually get up and down to adjust the settings of your heating or cooling system.
How to Use Sunlight to Heat Your Office
During the winter, sunlight shining through your office windows can be a useful source of heat. During cold weather, you should open the blinds to let the sunlight in, but remember to angle your computer screen away from the window so you don’t struggle with glare. However, in the summer, strong sunlight can drive the temperature uncomfortably high. On sunny days, draw blinds or curtains to keep the sunlight out and prevent the temperature from soaring.
Can Fans Help?
Using a fan in your home office won’t have much effect on the overall temperature, but it can produce a cooling breeze that makes you feel more comfortable. Fans move air around the office, preventing feelings of stuffiness and humidity that can sap your focus. Modern fans are designed to operate quietly, so you won’t face distractions from a noisy appliance. A fan is a relatively inexpensive and simple option for cooling your home office if your home air conditioning system isn’t up to the task.
Maintenance Matters
If your air conditioner doesn’t have much of a cooling effect, that could be a sign that you need to carry out some basic maintenance. Open the air conditioning unit, take out the filters, and clean them to remove any dust or fluff. When the filters are clean, the system can circulate air more efficiently.
If you want to improve your productivity, simply changing the temperature in your home office could make a big difference. Heat or cool your office by adjusting your thermostat, opening or closing the blinds, using a fan, and keeping your air conditioning system in good repair.
Amber Stone launched her home business when she was pregnant with her first child. She knew she wanted to be a stay-at-home Mommy, but also didn’t want to rely on her husband’s income. Today she writes about a range of home topics for online publications.