Solving the Office Thermostat War

When temperatures peak during summer months, employees across the country feel less comfortable in their workplace. In fact, according to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey of approximately 1,000 employees, nearly half complained that their facility is too hot or too cold during the summer, and many employees resorted to taking control of their thermal working conditions by using space heaters or fans.

Moreover, almost a fifth (19%) reported that they’ve secretly changed the temperature on their office thermostat, and 15 percent have had a verbal altercation with a coworker over it. Between the uncomfortable environment and tension between team members, productivity in most offices may not be at its highest. This presents a difficult challenge for employers and facility managers.

Innovative technology, like dynamic glass, can help building owners to reduce thermal discomfort in the office environment.
 

Improving Working Conditions by Optimizing Occupant Comfort

One of the major benefits of installing dynamic glass in your building is that it prevents heat gain and glare. By tinting and clearing in response to sunlight conditions, smart windows help regulate  temperature, keeping employees cool and comfortable, while reducing the load on heating or cooling systems.  Dynamic glass also prevents glare, improving people's comfort when viewing screens.  This provides better working conditions for employees as well as relief for facilities teams.

Additionally, when offices offer unobstructed views of the outdoors and allow ample natural light to enter, building occupants thrive. With dynamic glass, there’s no need for heavy blinds or shades that block outdoor views or natural light – both of which have been demonstrated to boost employee mood and overall productivity.

Benefits for Employers and Facility Managers

In addition to avoiding thermostat disputes in the office, dynamic glass can also provide a variety of benefits to employers and building managers who don’t realize how much time is wasted in the office thermostat war.

• Improved Work Quality – Team members who are comfortable can produce higher quality work and with less distraction. 
   
• Enhanced Office Atmosphere – A comfortable environment with unobstructed views of the outdoors can improve temperament across the board and encourage a more positive work environment. Happiness and a positive culture in the workplace have been linked to increased levels of productivity and creativity, and even employee retention.
   
• Expanded Sustainability Efforts – Air conditioning uses a significant amount of energy during the hot summer months, especially when space heaters and fans are sometimes utilized simultaneously. By eliminating the thermostat war with dynamic glass, building energy use can be reduced by an average of 20 percent and peak demand up to 26 percent over a building’s life cycle. This gives employers another leg up as many companies are continuing to work tirelessly to advance their corporate sustainability agendas.

For employers looking to offer an elevated workplace environment, dynamic glass can deliver major results in boosting office morale and employee satisfaction.