The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Beatbot

.

You’re hot? I’m cold! Why our office temperature preferences can be vastly different to our colleagues’

  • Written by Christian Moro, Associate Professor of Science & Medicine, Bond University

As the weather warms up, offices are cranking up the air conditioning. But with such varying temperature preferences, where should you set the thermostat?

It may be an impossible task to find an optimal temperature that suits everyone. So why do we have such different temperature preferences? And does it affect more than our level of comfort?

Women tend to prefer a slightly warmer office

While there are always more similarities than differences between the sexes, women tend to feel the cold more than men[1].

A 2021 study[2] of more than 38,000 participants found 38% of respondents were dissatisfied with the temperature of their office. Of those dissatisfied, women accounted for nearly two-thirds.

When asked, in other studies, the less satisfied[3] women said they preferred warmer temperatures, while the less satisfied men would prefer a cooler office environment.

Although specifics vary, the optimal office temperature[4] for women[5] is often around 1°C higher than for men. One study[6] reported the optimal temperature was 24.0°C for women and 23.2°C for men.

Can temperature affect your ability to work?

The room’s temperature can impact productivity. In warmer environments (above 25°C), men have been found to perform worse[7] on maths and verbal tasks, while women performed worse on these tasks at cooler temperatures (below 25°C).

But on other tasks, temperature doesn’t appear to have an influence. Researchers found no difference to either gender’s performance on a number of cognitive tasks, such as cognitive reflection tests[8] (where the questions are such that the intuitive answer is the wrong answer), or cognitive load[9] tasks (where working memory is overloaded).

Open-plan office
More than one-third of office workers are dissatisfied with their office’s temperature. Israel Andrade/Unsplash[10]

It is often proposed that concentration can be impacted by temperature, but this is not always the case.

When subjects (men and women) underwent a series of cognitive tasks, performance was not affected[11] between 22°C (considered cold) and 25°C (considered hot) environments.

These researchers argued that maintaining a warmer temperature was optimal due to the environmental benefits and energy savings[12].

What’s behind gender temperature differences?

Hormones play a key role in our temperature preferences.

Testosterone[13] causes more muscle development around the shoulders. Muscle generates heat, making men more likely to have warmer necks than women. This area is particularly sensitive to cool temperatures.

Oestrogen promotes and maintains different fat distributions[14] in women, who tend to carry slightly more fat[15] between the skin and muscles in a number of areas. This makes the skin feel cooler[16] and drives a preference for slightly warmer temperatures.

Women also tend to have a lower metabolic rate[17] (or slower metabolism) than men. This means women produce less heat[18] and their bodies are more prone to feeling cold in cooler temperatures.

Women’s preferences can change from week to week

The menstrual cycle has a considerable influence on temperature preferences. After ovulation, the ovaries release more progesterone. This causes the body’s core temperature to warm[19] by around 0.3–0.6°C. This means women will perceive the outside temperature as cooler than men, due to the larger thermal drop compared to their core temperatures.

Progesterone also helps conserve heat[20], diverting blood from the skin and into the organs. This means women’s hands, ears and feet may be up to 1-2°C[21] colder than men’s. It’s harder to feel warm in a cool environment when your hands and feet are very cold.

Women’s sensitivity to the cold can change. Christian Moro

At other times of the month, the opposite may be true. Oestrogen causes blood to flow to the skin[22], resulting in greater heat dissipation, and potential hot flushes.

During pregnancy and menopause, hormones change again, and can flow in different directions. This can cause a feeling of cold, but also hot flushes[23] and transient increases in the sensation of warmth, where a cooler environment is far preferred.

This means some women may prefer a cooler temperature one week, then a warmer temperature the following.

What else impacts temperature preferences?

Overall, body size and composition[24] has a strong influence on temperature preferences. As muscle generates heat, the more muscle mass we have the more heat we tend to generate, keeping us warmer[25].

The perception of temperature can also be impacted by many individual factors such as age, height and weight. Overweight[26] body sizes are associated with a higher preference for a cooler environment.

Age can also affect thermoregulatory mechanisms, such as our body’s ability to sweat as well as noticing changes in the temperature[27]. Children are also less likely[28] to notice the cold than adults.

Of course, the sort of job a person does has an impact as well. The more you move around, the more heat[29] you generate.

The dress code for the office also has an impact. If heavy business suits or formal attire is expected, a cooler environment may be more appropriate.

Ethnicity may also have an impact. When directly compared in one study, Asian participants reported being more comfortable[30] in environments that were 5°C warmer than participants with European origins.

And lastly, we can’t overlook individual preference. Some people may have grown up in cool environments and simply be more used to the cold, and vice versa.

What about the environmental impact?

Heating and cooling can account for 20–50% of energy[31] use in households and 40–70% of energy[32] use in office buildings.

In summer, warmer office temperatures don’t use as much energy. In fact, energy use increases by 5–10% for each 1°C[33] the temperature is lowered.

Person adjusts the thermostat
Employers need to consider comfort, health and the environment when setting the office temperature. voronaman/Shutterstock[34]

You don’t want to shut them down too much, though. Air conditioning systems also reduce humidity by removing moisture from the air, an important measure to prevent indoor mould growth[35].

With hormones that influence temperature preferences changing during the month, health status, body composition, individual experiences and age all playing a part, there may never be a one-size-fits-all approach to setting the office thermostat.

As such, it is recommended that staff are encouraged to have open conversations about the temperature, and for managers to listen to each member’s needs and be willing to change the thermostat where appropriate.

References

  1. ^ more than men (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ 2021 study (www.nature.com)
  3. ^ less satisfied (www.sciencedirect.com)
  4. ^ optimal office temperature (www.sciencedirect.com)
  5. ^ women (www.sciencedirect.com)
  6. ^ One study (www.sciencedirect.com)
  7. ^ worse (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  8. ^ cognitive reflection tests (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. ^ cognitive load (www.sciencedirect.com)
  10. ^ Israel Andrade/Unsplash (unsplash.com)
  11. ^ not affected (www.sciencedirect.com)
  12. ^ energy savings (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ Testosterone (link.springer.com)
  14. ^ fat distributions (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  15. ^ more fat (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  16. ^ feel cooler (link.springer.com)
  17. ^ lower metabolic rate (www.sciencedirect.com)
  18. ^ produce less heat (www.sciencedirect.com)
  19. ^ to warm (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  20. ^ conserve heat (link.springer.com)
  21. ^ 1-2°C (www.thelancet.com)
  22. ^ skin (link.springer.com)
  23. ^ hot flushes (link.springer.com)
  24. ^ body size and composition (www.pnas.org)
  25. ^ keeping us warmer (www.sciencedirect.com)
  26. ^ Overweight (www.sciencedirect.com)
  27. ^ temperature (link.springer.com)
  28. ^ less likely (www.theguardian.com)
  29. ^ more heat (theconversation.com)
  30. ^ more comfortable (www.sciencedirect.com)
  31. ^ 20–50% of energy (www.energy.gov.au)
  32. ^ 40–70% of energy (www.energy.gov.au)
  33. ^ 1°C (www.csiro.au)
  34. ^ voronaman/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  35. ^ mould growth (www.mdpi.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/youre-hot-im-cold-why-our-office-temperature-preferences-can-be-vastly-different-to-our-colleagues-244184

The Times Features

LaManna at Essendon Fields is transforming into a festive wonderland

This festive season, LaManna is decking its halls with an incredible range of goodies to meet all your Christmas needs and ensure your next holiday feast is one to remember.  Wit...

'Big school ready’ before 2025

Rebecca Suseno, a mother from Croydon, NSW, shares her excitement and preparation for her daughter Chiara’s big leap into kindergarten in 2025. As a mother, there’s nothing...

ADHD medications affect children’s appetites. Here’s how to manage this

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impacts the ability to maintain attention to tasks. Often, it also involves impulsive behaviour – saying or doing things without...

For the foodie or home chef, look no further than premium pizza oven brand, Gozney

Founder and designer, Tom Gozney, wanted to bring a different way of cooking to as many people as possible and has led a movement of unforgettable cooking experiences inspired ...

Beyond bricks and mortar: Building socially connected communities is Australia’s next big challenge

As state governments rush to deliver thousands of homes across the major capitals,1 one of the nation’s leading urban planners warns we must build transit based, mixed-use, w...

New research shows how long, hard and often you need to stretch to improve your flexibility

Can you reach down and touch your toes without bending your knees? Can you reach both arms overhead? If these sound like a struggle, you may be lacking flexibility. Flexibilit...

Times Magazine

The Endless Supply of Fun with Buckets and Spades

Buckets and spades are classic beach toys that have been around for generations. They bring joy to children of all ages, providing hours of entertainment at the beach or in the backyard sandpit. Buckets and spades can be used to create imaginative ...

Prevent Electrical Hazards With Key Safety Measures for Power Strip Circuit Breaker

As the reliance on technology increases, so does the number of electronic devices use on a daily basis. With this increase in electronic usage, the need for power strips has become more prevalent. Power strips are used as a convenient way to increa...

Unleash the Fun: Why Interactive Toys Are Essential for Your Cat

Cats are playfully inclined animals with their curiosity being heightened by their natural drive to play. However, the act of having to find ways and means of keeping them occupied indoors eventually could be a daunting task. Thus, even using frequ...

Understanding Chemical Storage Cabinets: Importance, Types, and Best Practices

Chemical storage cabinets are essential components in laboratories, industrial facilities, and workplaces that handle hazardous materials. These cabinets are designed to safely store chemicals, minimizing the risk of accidents, spills, and exposure...

High-Quality Smoking Accessories to Enhance Your Smoking Experience

Smoking has been a popular pastime for centuries and is still enjoyed by many individuals around the world. Whether it is cigarettes, cigars, or even pipes, enjoying tobacco products is a great way to relax and unwind. If you are someone who enjo...

How Do Pool Heat Pumps Work?

If you are considering heating for your swimming pool, you've likely come across one of the options, heat pumps, while doing your research. Not all pool heating solutions are equal, so that's why it's important to have an understanding of how the...

LayBy Shopping