The temperature in the office affects productivity, well-being and health. Find out what the recommended ideal room temperature is in the office and how to regulate it optimally.
The temperature in the office is a crucial factor for well-being, health and productivity in the workplace. In this article, we take a close look at why the room temperature in the office is a central issue for employers and employees alike, what recommendations exist for the ideal room temperature in the office and what tips are available for optimising conditions on site. We also explain why an office that is too cold or too warm can have an impact on health and how to intelligently reduce energy costs without worsening the working environment.
The temperature in the office affects the performance, physical well-being and motivation of everyone who works there regularly. If it is too hot, the pulse often rises and the body loses more fluids. You quickly feel tired and unable to concentrate. If it is too cool, on the other hand, the muscles cramp, you feel cold and you don't stay productive for long. People also react to temperature changes with varying degrees of sensitivity. One person feels comfortable at 20°C, while another only really thrives at 23°C. Nevertheless, certain average values can be derived as a guide.
In many offices, the question of temperature is also a question of long-term health. Excessive humidity combined with poor ventilation can cause mould to form or lead to headaches, while dry air can irritate mucous membranes. The room temperature in the office is therefore influenced by other factors such as humidity, fresh air supply and air quality. Only when all the elements are in place will employees feel completely comfortable.
Another important aspect is that the temperature indoors often has to be adapted to the outdoor conditions, which can vary greatly depending on the season. In winter, more heating is usually needed, while in summer air conditioning or at least well-thought-out ventilation is necessary. Consequently, the room temperature should always be adjusted according to the current weather and the individual needs of the employees.
The temperature in the office is crucial for many details that are not obvious at first glance. Our body uses more energy at low temperatures to keep warm. At high temperatures, however, it loses energy to cool down. If the office is too warm, fatigue and concentration problems can occur quickly because blood flow to the skin is stimulated and you sweat more quickly. Productivity drops and mistakes creep in more often. At the end of the day, it's a matter of balance: even slight deviations from our comfortable temperature zone affect our mental performance.
Health also plays a major role. A permanently high or low room temperature in the office leads to altered sleep patterns, tension and a weakened immune system. If it is permanently too cold, you are more likely to tense up or blood circulation in your arms and hands will be reduced, which can lead to unpleasant side effects. If it gets too warm, the body can overheat. Many people also drink too little when it is very hot, which can cause headaches and a feeling of general exhaustion.
Although everyone's subjective perception is different, there are proven average values for office temperatures that provide a good starting point. Experts often recommend a temperature between 21 °C and 23 °C for classic office activities. This is usually in the green zone. Although these are only rough guidelines, these values have been shown in many studies to be the optimal range for promoting concentration and well-being. However, other factors such as humidity, clothing and sitting position also play a role. In particular, people who sit for long periods often feel the cold more quickly than those who move around the room. Therefore, you have to react flexibly instead of stubbornly sticking to a single value.
There is no single figure for the ideal office temperature. Rather, experience and scientific studies have shown that most people can work well in a range of temperatures. Many employees feel comfortable between 21°C and 23°C. However, each team has its own needs. For example, those who are particularly sensitive to the cold often find 22°C too cool, while those who are sensitive to heat can feel uncomfortably warm even at 24°C. As an employer, it makes sense to find a healthy balance and not to neglect appropriate clothing rules. Someone who has to wear a shirt and suit in the office has different room temperature requirements than someone who works in casual leisure clothing.
The standard of the building also plays a role. Modern buildings are often well insulated and have sophisticated ventilation systems, so that even in cold winters, it is relatively easy to maintain a constant temperature. Older buildings, on the other hand, sometimes have inadequately insulated windows or draughts. In this case, the temperature felt can differ from the readings on the thermometer. A combination of regular ventilation and a balanced heating concept often helps. Humidity is also important. Ideal values are between 40 and 60 per cent relative humidity. The air feels neither too dry nor too moist. This in turn has an effect on the room temperature, since cool temperatures feel colder when the air is very dry and warm temperatures feel more oppressive when the humidity is high.
To determine the ideal room temperature in the office, it is worth holding regular discussions and brief feedback sessions. Companies that value satisfied employees should look for a dynamic solution that can be adapted to changing conditions.
Although it makes sense to set a uniform target temperature, practice often shows that different zones in the office have different temperatures. This is particularly noticeable in open-plan offices. Employees sitting close to windows often perceive temperatures differently than those placed more in the centre of the room. It is therefore worthwhile to take appropriate measures to achieve the best possible temperature in the office.
Regular ventilation is one of the most important factors. Short bursts of ventilation every two to three hours provide fresh air without letting too much heat escape. In winter, it is worth turning the heating down briefly when airing to avoid unnecessary energy loss. In summer, you can air rooms early in the morning or late at night when the outside temperatures are lower. Sun protection systems such as blinds or curtains also help to control the temperature. They help to prevent offices from heating up too much.
Another tip is not to move or block radiators. They are often covered with furniture or hidden by curtains, which reduces heat output. In modern buildings, a thermostat often automatically regulates the temperature in the office as long as the systems are configured correctly. If there are problems, it is always worth taking a look at the settings or talking to the building management. Sometimes it's just small things like faulty sensors or incorrectly set schedules for the heating phases. Those who make these fine adjustments can often significantly improve the room temperature in the office.
Health plays a central role when it comes to office temperature. Many people now spend a large part of their day sitting at a desk. If the room temperature in the office is too low, joints and muscles can become chilled, leading to tension and pain in the long term. Those who are constantly cold tend to have poorer posture and tense shoulders and necks. This can lead to chronic tension, headaches and a general feeling of unease, which significantly reduces motivation.
Conversely, if the temperature is too high, it can put a strain on the cardiovascular system. Especially in summer, this can lead to circulatory problems when the air temperature climbs above 26°C. Headaches and exhaustion are common side effects. Dry air in air-conditioned rooms also has a negative effect on the respiratory tract. The mucous membranes in the nose and throat dry out and offer less resistance to pathogens. Colds or other infections can spread more easily. This shows why an ideal room temperature in the office not only serves comfort, but is also essential for health.
Particularly in times of rising energy costs, this topic is also discussed from a financial perspective. If you turn up the heating unnecessarily, you can expect not only dry air but also high operating costs. For companies, this can become a considerable burden over time. In such cases, it is worth developing a healthy cost awareness without impairing the working environment. Modern heating systems can often be controlled well, so that they only run at full power when it is really necessary.
There is also potential for savings when it comes to cooling. Air conditioning systems consume a lot of energy, which is why you should think carefully about when and for how long they are used. In some cases, small measures are enough to keep an office cool, such as darkening windows early in the morning or briefly airing rooms crosswise. An efficiently controlled air conditioning system that properly cleans and humidifies the circulating air can be quite useful. It is crucial that the room temperature in the office is not cooled down excessively. A temperature difference of just one or two degrees can account for a large amount of power consumption. Many people believe that the colder the better. However, temperatures that are too low are not only unhealthy, but usually costly as well. A well-thought-out balance ensures greater efficiency while improving the working environment.
User behaviour also plays a role. In many companies, computers, monitors and other electrical devices are left on around the clock. This equipment generates heat. Particularly in smaller rooms, electronic devices can noticeably raise the air temperature. If you consistently switch off equipment in the evening, you save electricity and avoid unnecessary heat sources. At the same time, the office will be more pleasantly tempered in the morning.
In Switzerland, climatic conditions vary greatly depending on the season and region. On a hot summer's day, temperatures in the city rise more than in mountainous areas. When cold spells hit in winter, heating is sometimes left on 24/7 to keep things warm. It's important to be aware of changing conditions and to react flexibly. Setting the heating to a fixed temperature of 23°C may make sense in January, but in March it may be overkill because outside temperatures are already a bit milder.
However, temperature fluctuations can also occur within a short period of time, for example when a lot of people are in a meeting room at the same time or when the afternoon sun falls on certain workplaces through large windows. Such local differences should be specifically addressed. In meeting rooms, for example, the temperature can be kept a little lower because the body heat of several people quickly warms up a room.
Another point is that each individual should be aware of how they can contribute to the room temperature. If you turn the heating up to the maximum in winter and then leave the window open all the time, you are wasting energy and creating a draught. Responsible behaviour in the workplace means being considerate and actively supporting measures that benefit everyone. Even small things, such as airing rooms during breaks or closing windows in the evening, contribute to overall success. This way, the temperature in the office is regulated better and more efficiently, and the team can benefit from a consistently comfortable climate.
The temperature in the office is much more than just a number on the thermometer. It determines the motivation, health, energy consumption and general well-being of all employees. If the temperature in the office is too cold or too warm, it can have a significant impact on productivity and lead to physical complaints. There is no single ideal room temperature, but a range between 21°C and 23°C is considered a good starting point for office work. However, it should not be forgotten that factors such as humidity, clothing, structural conditions and personal preferences also play a major role.
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