So far, the Irish summer of 2022 has been a hot one! Right now, we’re in the middle of another heatwave and for some Irish companies, staff are feeling too hot and stuffy in their workplace. Everyone loves sunshine when they’re out at the beach of course, but in addition to the increased heat in offices, many employees find that the glaring summer sunshine can be quite a distraction. If you want your staff to keep cool and productive while this heat lasts, here are some easy steps you can take today.
1) Reduce that glaring sunshine
A great way to reduce the often distracting and irritating rays of sun in your office is to install blinds. However there are plenty of other creative ways to soften the glare of the sun for staff, during these scorching hours.
If you have darker colours in your office, this will not help to bounce the glare of sun rays. Maybe rethink your colour scheme by painting your office walls a brighter colour. Having white or yellow walls will soften the sharp contrasts between the glare of the sun and the inside of your office.
You could also get creative and tactically place some plants by your windows. This way you can block the worst of the sun’s glare, while being both eco-friendly and decorative!
2) Keep staff hydrated
Gannon Office Interiors has talked before about how important it is for staff to feel comfortable and healthy while in the office, as this boosts morale and productivity for your business. Don’t forget to make cool water easily accessible for all employees during this heat, as many offices are getting quite stuffy and overheated throughout the working day. When you look out for the happiness and health of your employees, you look after the productivity of your employees.
3) Switch off your IT at night
This one isn’t just great for the environment, it’s also a way to cool down your office space. When you leave office equipment on standby or in ‘sleep mode’, it will still use over half as much energy as when you have it fully powered on. If nobody is in the office at night, or if you have a machine that only gets used every couple of weeks, it’s time to switch off.
Devices such as computers, printers and scanners will all contribute to a general rise in temperature. This may not be noticeable in the winter months, but if your office is already stuffy and it’s a heatwave, your staff may feel the effects without even realising it. If you want to reduce the stuffy atmosphere of your office, while saving money and also helping the environment, switch off your machines.
4) Place some cooling fans where they need it most
High office temperatures in enclosed office spaces can lead to staff feeling anywhere from lethargic, to in some cases even claustrophobic. If you really want to offset that stuffy and cramped office feeling, it’s time to invest in cooling fans and air purifiers. Both air purifiers and cooling fans can have a huge impact on your office, especially during the summer months. With a consistent and gentle flow of fresher air, staff will feel less stuffy and more alert. This way, you will get higher levels of productivity and less people falling asleep!
5) Think before opening your windows
When it’s hot, our first inclination is often to open the windows. However, in a heatwave, your office could potentially be cooler indoors than the temperatures outdoors. If it’s hot enough outside, opening your windows may actually raise the temperatures in the office. If you have already been trying to manage the heat with air conditioning, you can also cause disruption to your office by introducing new challenges with open windows. The best approach is to invest in some quality air conditioning for your office.
Well, that’s it for now. We wish you and your staff the best of luck!
About Gannon Interiors
We supply and install an extensive range of Modular Carpet Tiles, Vinyl and Rubber Flooring to suit all office spaces and aesthetics. Gannon Office Solutions is a second-generation Irish owned family business. The company was established in 1981 by Barry and Patricia Gannon.
We provide our clients with a one stop shop for all their office interiors and workplace furniture needs.
Get in touch
We’d love To hear from you and explore how we can work together:
Unit F, M4 Business Park, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, W23 Y36D
Phone: 01 505 7400
Email: info@gannoninteriors.ie