At Fabege, our ambition is to always deliver the best possible indoor climate, taking long-term sustainability into consideration. Here, we will explain how people experience temperatures differently, and what you can do to influence this.
Dimensions of the indoor climate
Temperature
In areas with work spaces and meeting rooms, the temperature should always be at least 21 degrees Celsius.
However, in some cases the buildings are not able to maintain this temperature, which is due primarily to the outdoor temperature. Our buildings are typically built to maintain the proper temperature indoors if the outdoor temperature is between -18 degrees Celsius in the winter and 27 degrees Celsius in the summer. When the outdoor temperature exceeds 27 degrees Celsius, the indoor temperature will rise by the same extent, and similarly, when the temperature falls below -18, the indoor temperature will fall to the same extent. For example, it is permissible for the temperature to be 26 degrees inside if it is 28 degrees outside.
However, the temperature may vary slightly within the range of approximately 21 to 25 degrees Celsius, depending on sunlight or if there are lots of people in the same room. For us to provide you as a tenant with the best possible climate, it is important for computers and other equipment to be energy efficient, and also to ensure the number of people per room does not exceed what the facility was built for.
Humidity and perceived temperature
One factor that may have an effect is humidity. When the air outside is humid, it feels stuffy and warm in summer inside, while in winter, it may feel cooler than what’s on the temperature display. Humidity depends on external factors and is not something we can influence.
Quality control
To ensure quality, the performance of the climate system is continuously checked in our operation and monitoring system. We conduct ongoing preventive maintenance and every three years, a mandatory ventilation check is carried out.
What you can control
Adapt clothing
Wear clothing that is suitable for the season. If the outdoor temperature is -10 Celsius, the indoor temperature is designed to be 21-25 degrees Celsius. In this case, a short-sleeved shirt may be too cold. If the outdoor temperature is 27-30 degrees Celsius, the indoor temperature is designed to be 25-28 degrees Celsius, and in this case a short-sleeved shirt works well, while a thick wool sweater will be too warm.
Clothing raises temperature
- +0.5 degrees – undershirt or long-sleeved shirt instead of short-sleeved shirt
- +1.5 degrees – thin jacket or sweater
- +2.0 degrees – winter coat or cardigan
Activity level affects perceptions
Research shows that people who stand while working perceive the temperature to be 3 degrees higher than people who sit. Naturally, someone who is very active throughout the working day will perceive it to be warmer than someone who is sedentary while working.
Furnish properly
How the office is furnished affects the experience of the indoor climate. Furnishings are always carefully considered when tenants move in: for example, work spaces are not located right next to windows, where it is warmer in summer and colder in winter. Nor are they located directly by cooling baffles, because the temperature there is lower. If you expand later and need more work spaces in the same area, this can easily get forgotten. Even lighting needs to be considered when refurnishing.
If you as a tenant invest in new lighting or something else that generates a lot of heat, the ventilation may no longer be sufficient to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
Reduce sunshine for a lower temperature
In some of our buildings, a climate shield is installed to reduce sunlight in the premises. This climate shield should not be confused with venetian blinds. In summer, this may involve shielding the sunlight to prevent it from becoming too warm inside, while in winter, it may involve letting in sunlight to help warm up the premises.
Hot, sunny days in summer are rarely cloud-free. To prevent it from becoming too dark in the premises, the climate shield therefore goes up when it becomes cloudy for a moment, and then comes back down when the sun comes out again. They can even change angle, depending on where the sun is falling, for example. There is a delay to prevent the climate shield from going up and down too much all the time (even if it may already seem that way sometimes). In settings where employees are bothered by the sun, as a tenant, you may set up the sun shade of your choice, such as Venetian blinds, in order to solve the problem.
Keep windows closed
An effective way to quickly air out a meeting room is to briefly open a window. However, it is important to remember that a window left open for a longer period of time turns off the ventilation system. For optimal functioning of the ventilation system, it is therefore better to keep all windows closed as much as possible.
Different perceptions of temperature
Different individuals perceive temperatures differently, and there can be a number of other factors at play. What may feel cold to one person may feel perfectly acceptable to another. The experience is also affected by humidity, what we are doing, and the clothes we are wearing. It is also important to remember that a thermostat usually only measures the air temperature, while we feel both air movements and heat radiation on surfaces.
“Warm Victor”
Often wears rolled-up sleeves, a polo or T-shirt. He is often the one to open the office window or turn down the temperature on the thermostat in the premises.
“Active Annica”
No matter the temperature inside, Active Annica is rarely cold. She often finds reasons to leave the workplace and rarely sits for long.
“Frozen Frans”
Frozen Frans discusses the temperature often. He often wears warm clothes inside, like wool sweaters and cardigans. It is usually Frozen Frans who raises the temperature in the premises.
“Sedentary Sara”
The opposite of Active Annica. At the office, she often has an extra sweater or thick blanket. Sedentary Sara is often cold in the afternoons.
