Table of Contents
It’s a question sparking discussions in offices across the UK.
So what is the optimal temperature for the office thermostat?
As winter approaches, many office managers may be tempted to turn up the heat.
But according to iHeat heating engineer Stephen Day, the perfect temperature is actually a balmy 21°C.
Speaking to MailOnline, he advised: ‘The ideal temperature for an office is usually around 21°C.
“(This) is a comfortable balance for most people, allowing employees to work productively without feeling too hot or cold.”
If 21°C seems too cold for your liking, you’re not alone.
In fact, research has shown that women, older people, and underweight people tend to prefer a slightly warmer office.
It’s a question sparking discussions in offices across the UK. So what is the optimal temperature for the office thermostat?
What is the perfect temperature to set the office thermostat?
Mr. Day advises setting the thermostat in his office to 21°C.
However, he notes that this is not a hard and fast rule.
“This can vary depending on factors such as humidity and airflow in the office,” he told MailOnline.
“Wetter spaces are likely to need a slightly lower temperature to counteract the heat retention effect.”
What temperature should you set the thermostat in your home?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends keeping your home at 18°C (64.4°F).
“Indoor temperatures in homes should be high enough to protect residents from the harmful health effects of cold,” explains the WHO.
As winter approaches, many office managers may be tempted to turn up the heat. But according to iHeat heating engineer Stephen Day, the perfect temperature is actually a fairly mild 21°C (stock image)
“For countries with temperate or colder climates, 18°C has been proposed as a safe and well-balanced indoor temperature to protect the health of the general population during cold seasons.”
While this sounds cold, Day points out that people tend to have more control over their environment at home than in the office.
“Unlike in an office, most people can add extra layers of clothing or blankets if they feel cold, or even opt for items like electric blankets or space heaters for a more direct benefit,” he said.
“This is not feasible in most office spaces, plus employers have to accommodate a much larger group with different preferences, which means they need to keep their temperature naturally higher.”
Can office temperature affect your ability to work?
In 2019, researchers at the USC Marshall School of Business found that office temperature can affect your productivity.
In their study, when they set a thermostat above 25°C, it was found that men performed worse on math and verbal tasks.
In contrast, women performed worse on these tasks when the thermostat was set to colder temperatures (below 25°C).
In 2019, researchers at the USC Marshall School of Business found that office temperature can affect your productivity (file image)
However, temperature did not appear to have an impact on cognitive tasks or concentration.
Writing in his study, published in Plus onethe team wrote: ‘Unlike mathematical and verbal tasks, temperature has no impact on a measure of cognitive reflection for either gender.
“Our findings suggest that mixed workplaces can increase productivity by setting the thermostat higher than current standards.”
Why do women prefer warmer offices?
Research has shown that, on average, women prefer a warmer office than men.
In 2018, researchers from the Federal University of Santa Catarina carried out a study which involved 584 participants, who were placed in offices of different temperatures.
Their analysis revealed that the “comfort temperature” for female participants was 24°C.
Male participants, on the other hand, preferred a slightly colder temperature of 23.2°C.
According to Christian Moro and Charlotte Phelps, scientists at Bond University, hormones play a key role in these temperature differences between the sexes.
writing for The conversationThe couple explained: ‘Testosterone causes greater muscle development around the shoulders.
‘Muscle generates heat, making men more likely to have warmer necks than women. This area is particularly sensitive to cold temperatures.
«Estrogen promotes and maintains different fat distributions in women, who tend to accumulate a little more fat between the skin and muscles in various areas.
“This makes the skin feel cooler and creates a preference for slightly warmer temperatures.
‘Women also tend to have a lower metabolic rate (or slower metabolism) than men. This means that women produce less heat and their bodies are more likely to feel cold when temperatures are colder.’
What else influences your office temperature preference?
Beyond your gender, other factors have been shown to affect your office temperature preference, including your age, body size, ethnicity, and even your job.
Age can also affect our temperature preference, with older people feeling colder than younger people (stock image)
In terms of body size, being overweight is associated with a preference for cooler conditions, while more muscular people also prefer a colder office.
Dr. Moro and Dr. Phelps explained: “As muscle generates heat, the more muscle mass we have, the more heat we tend to generate.”
Age can also affect our temperature preference, with older people feeling colder than younger people.
Meanwhile, ethnicity can also have an impact.
“When compared directly in one study, Asian participants reported feeling more comfortable in environments 5°C warmer than participants of European origin,” said Dr. Moro and Dr. Phelps.
What can you do if you are too hot or cold in your office?
If your office is too hot or cold, Mr. Day has his best advice:
1. Layer your clothes: Dressing in layers means you can add or remove items to regulate your body temperature throughout the day. The key is to opt for thinner layers rather than bulky pieces: think a thermal top paired with a shirt and a thin jumper or a cardigan over a chunky knit.
2. Use fans or desk heaters: A small personal fan or under-desk heater can make a big difference in your personal comfort without affecting the entire office. Just be sure to check with an administrator, as it may need to be tested before you can connect it.
3. Adapt your workplace: If possible, see if you can move your desk to avoid sitting directly under vents or next to windows that may cause drafts or excessive heat from sunlight. Otherwise, ask your manager if there is a hot desk you can work at.
4. Make use of blinds or curtains: Controlling the natural light and heat coming in through windows can make a big difference to the temperature of a room, so experiment with opening and closing blinds or curtains.
5. Use personal foot warmers or cooling mats: People often overlook their feet when trying to stay comfortable, but they can be an easy way to regulate temperature. A heated foot mat or cooling gel mat can work wonders under your desk as they are discreet and don’t interfere with others in the office.
6. Get some plants: Adding a plant to your workspace may seem unrelated to temperature, but plants like peace lilies or ferns can help regulate humidity and improve air quality, making the environment feel cooler and more balanced. .
7. DIY Desktop Insulation: If you are sitting near a drafty area, consider bringing a light blanket or scarf to cover your chair. It’s a surprisingly effective way to trap heat around you, especially if under-desk heaters aren’t allowed.
8. Choose your colors carefully: Believe it or not, the colors of your environment can affect how warm or cold you perceive a space. Cooler tones like blue can help you feel less hot in the summer, while warmer tones like orange can create the illusion of warmth in the colder months. Personalizing your desk with colors that match the season could subtly change your comfort.