An Overall Perspective of Thermal Comfort in a Commercial Setting or Environment
For any commercial building or office, it is imperative to know how the temperature of the space affects those who use it. Individuals who work in commercial offices need to experience a certain level of thermal comfort to remain actively involved, productive, and engaged in their work, without getting distracted from any discomfort. Here, we touch upon a few key aspects of thermal comfort required in a commercial setting or environment.
What is Thermal Comfort?
When an individual is feeling neither too hot nor too cold in his/her surroundings, it essentially means the person is at the optimal point of thermal comfort. The demand for improved thermal comfort has massively increased in the last few years. That said, even with advancements in tech and innovation, the idea is not always easily realized; many organizations are yet to figure this out. Relying simply on HVAC systems will not suffice, you also need to install specialized accessories such as Filtered Diffusers, Draft Eliminators and air filters. In addition, shade and exposure to the sun must be factored in along with orientation of the windows.
Factors Impacting Thermal Comfort
No two commercial building will have the same requirement of thermal comfort level. The level would depend on what it is used for. The ideal temperature will depend on multiple factors. It can even alter depending on the time of day and relative humidity levels.
Inadequate thermal comfort can be effectively avoided when you understand the factors that affect it. We discuss these factors below.
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Electrical Equipment – A commercial building will not sustain without the presence of electrical equipment and devices. These constantly generate heat and must be considered when designing a solution to achieve an ideal thermal comfort level.
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Building’s Design and Construction – The size, design, and construction of the building can have a wider impact on the temperature inside the building premises. The materials used in creating the building can also accelerate or disrupt the ideal temperature settings.
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Temperature and Humidity – This is perhaps the most prominent obvious factor that impacts thermal comfort levels. The thermal comfort can be improved all-round the year by understanding the local environment.
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Activity Level – Depending on how the office or area is used will help you determine the ideal temperature of the environment.
Benefits of Improving Thermal Comfort
Putting in efforts to improve thermal comfort in commercial buildings has numerous benefits. When you offer a pleasant environment to the employees, there is increased productivity and collaboration among them. They can also focus better on their work, completing tasks on time. In addition to employee satisfaction, there is also increased satisfaction among customers who visit or work in these spaces. Optimizing thermal comfort allows for keeping the building temperature consistent throughout the day irrespective of the temperature swings. It helps reduce energy consumption and costs.
About Comfort First Products
Using our Control-A-Flow® draft eliminator and Comfort First Filtered Diffuser ™, we provide organizations with IDM patented innovative technology. These products and solutions help maintain airflow throughout the entire commercial building/environment, improving thermal comfort for the employees.