Shivering in office AC while others sweat? Here’s why; Temperature that fits all
Those who sit at a desk for hours may experience stress and feel colder than those who walk around the office and are more active.
Those who sit at a desk for hours may experience stress and feel colder than those who walk around the office and are more active.
Those who sit at a desk for hours may experience stress and feel colder than those who walk around the office and are more active.
Have you wondered why the AC temperature at your office feels different to different people? While some people layer themselves in sweaters and shawls, others get annoyed as they do not feel cooler. The one–size–fits–all approach of centralised air conditioning systems is the reason why people feel discomfort in offices. Professor Anurag Goyal of IIT, Delhi, explains how centralised AC in offices works. Centralised AC systems are designed to tackle the worst weather conditions. The temperatures are set to take on the hottest days of the year. So, it often results in overcooling during milder weather conditions or when the room is underoccupied.
Poor air circulation and inadequate insulation also lead to a temperature mismatch. Certain spots which receive direct sunlight might be warmer than the rest of the space. The temperature is fixed between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius at most offices, which is quite cold. Dr. Akhilesh Arora of the Delhi Technological University says that factors like the physical nature, outfits, activity levels of individuals, age and even the mental state of a person affect how one feels the temperature.
For example, people working in the same office space would be engaged in different types of work. Those who sit at a desk for hours may be stressful and feel colder than the ones who walk around the office and are more active. Additionally, the comfort level of each individual varies significantly. Dr. Arora states that there isn’t a standard temperature that works for all people. However, he notes that setting the AC temperature at 24 – 25 degrees Celsius would be comfortable to most people.
Meanwhile, experts say that an adaptive air conditioning system that considers the number of occupants in the office and the outside weather should be installed in offices. They also recommend utilising modern air conditioning technologies, such as Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems and sensors.