Maintaining the right temperature in your workplace doesn't just keep workers happy. It also increases their productivity too. In a study conducted at Cornell University by Dr. Alan Hedge, researchers found that employees operating in environment that were too cold or hot reduced their typing output by 46 percent. In recent years, medical professionals have acknowledged that workers can experience a condition called 'sick building syndrome', which causes them to experience generalised feelings of ill health as a result of the time they spend at work. As this syndrome is related to poor air quality and inadequate temperature control, you may want to consider whether your working environment is as comfortable as it can be for employees.

Which types of environments benefit from industrial air conditioning?

While it may seem as though environments that experience extremes of temperature and obvious pollutants are the only ones that benefit from industrial air conditioning installation, even office settings pose potential hazards. For example, the chemicals associated with photocopying machines are also linked to sick building syndrome, which can lead to workers experiencing nausea, fatigue, skin conditions and headaches. When such symptoms arise, workers may respond by reducing the amount of time they spend in the workplace so they can recover. Settings with machinery that emit a lot of heat are also likely to experience benefits, as the right HVAC system can reduce temperatures to a level that are safe and comfortable to operate in. When temperatures reach the right level, workers require fewer breaks and are less likely to make errors.

How do HVAC systems increase air quality?

HVAC systems of all kinds work towards maintaining a stable temperature throughout the building. Those who install industrial air conditioning design systems benefit the workplace's unique features. For example, while a factory may require intense levels of cool air to compensate for the manual nature of the job, certain healthcare environments may need to remain slightly warmer due to immunocompromised patients. Opting for the right system ensures those working in the situated in the building benefit reduce their risk of encountering an uncomfortable environment.

In addition to maintaining a stable temperature, some HVAC systems manually insert fresh air from outside the building, which is the most effective way to combat the negative effects of outside pollutants. Others include air purifiers, which identify and remove particles that lead to conditions such as sick building syndrome. As well as installing the right system, it's important to make sure it's well maintained and operated correctly, allowing workers to see the full benefits.

If you're unsure as to whether your building currently benefits from the right type of system, it's worth addressing the environment and observing employees to see if they're experiencing generalised ill health as a result of spending time inside it. Once your property has the right pollution pathway, you can increase productivity and create a more comfortable working environment for employees.