by jbs073109 g3 — August 3, 2009—The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has released “Temperature Wars: Savings vs. Comfort,” a new study that takes an in-depth look at the most common thermal complaints made by workers and the variety of ways facilities professionals respond to them.
For many years, IFMA has surveyed facilities professionals to learn the top office complaints among employees. Respondents consistently cite the temperature being too hot or too cold as the most frequent grievances they hear—surpassing high noise levels, limited space, and unpleasant odors.
Recent IFMA research also shows that many facilities professionals are adjusting the thermostat to higher settings in the summer and lower settings in the winter in an effort to cut energy consumption and costs. This 2009 study identifies when most thermal complaints occur, the nature of the complaints, and the actions taken to make workers more comfortable and able to concentrate on their jobs.
Not surprisingly, survey respondents again report that the most common heating, ventilating, and air conditioning complaints they receive are that the temperature is too cold (94%) or too hot (91%). Indoor air quality complaints are a distant third (25%), followed by too drafty (21%) and too noisy (16%).
Building occupants adjust to thermal comfort issues in different ways, the most common of which are through the use of personal fans (66%) or by a change in clothing (64%). Also popular with workers—though not with building management—is the use of personal heaters, which 60% of facility professionals report seeing. Many survey respondents say that personal heaters are not allowed, however, because they present a fire hazard. Other responses include using stand-alone air conditioning units, blankets, and even small wading pools under the desk.
When it comes to addressing occupants’ thermal complaints, 90% of facilities professionals say they check the temperature in the area where the complaint was made to see if it is within standards; 87% validate that the HVAC system is working properly; and 75% adjust thermostats to provide for greater worker comfort.
The survey was drafted with the assistance of several HVAC experts and taken during June and July 2009. It is based on the responses of 473 IFMA members.
For a free copy of “Temperature Wars: Savings vs. Comfort” (.pdf file), visit the IFMA Web site.
