“Close the window, I’m cold!” “It’s so hot in here!”

Everyone is familiar with discussions with colleagues about a pleasant office climate. And they are justified, as studies have shown that people’s perception of temperature varies greatly. Of course, we can adapt to our thermal environment to a certain extent. However, if a limit is exceeded, our heat balance becomes unbalanced. As a result, our concentration and performance decline and, in the worst case, we become ill.

What we humans generally perceive as comfortable is – how could it be otherwise – laid down in a standard in Germany, DIN EN ISO 7730. For example, a temperature range of 20 to 26 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 35 to 70 percent are considered comfortable.

If employees have complaints about the indoor climate, the employer can carry out a comfort measurement. As a rule, it determines air temperature, humidity, air speed (draughts) and heat radiation – if necessary also lighting, noise and air hygiene (e.g. CO2 content). And uses this to determine what is within tolerance and where there is an objective need for action.

Published: July 2024