The Importance of Controlling Air and Temperature in Your Home Office Environment

Work-at-home mums spend a lot of time in their office, which is why it’s so important to keep air quality high and the temperature comfortable.

In this article, we’ll show you how to create comfortable home office environment. No matter what the weather throws at you outside, you can always produce the optimum conditions for working at home.

 

Why is air quality and temperature so important?

The term ‘sick building syndrome’ (SBS) refers to indoor spaces that have health effects on people living inside.

SBS can cause human inhabitants to suffer from headaches, dizziness, throat irritations, fatigue, problems with concentration, dry skin and much more. While not all of these symptoms are attributed to air quality, it certainly plays a large role.

Home office environments are smaller than office buildings, of course. But regardless of working in a smaller space, the same types of air pollutants can still exist. No matter how clean you keep your home office, you can still become sick by not maintaining good air quality.

Long-term exposure to poor air quality can lead to permanent health issues, particularly in the respiratory system.

The temperature of your room is also critical. If you’re not comfortable, concentration and productivity suffer considerably. Plus, you put yourself at risk of illnesses by spending long periods of time in a room that’s either too hot or cold.

 

What factors affect air quality around the home?

There are a number of factors that can affect indoor air quality. Most commonly, we think of dust or bad odours, but many things affect the quality of the air you breathe. These include:

 

Cleaning standards

Poor cleaning standards can lead to a range of pollutants entering the air. If you leave surfaces dusty, that dust is going to become airborne at some stage. If you have cushions or other fabrics in your home office, make sure they are washed regularly. It’s also important to note that using harsh chemicals while cleaning can also affect the indoor air quality.

 

Humidity and dampness

Keeping your room warm is one thing, but too much humidity leads to dampness. You may not even notice it at first, but dampness leads to mould.

Mould contains minuscule particles called spores, and they become airborne. Breathing these spores can lead to irritations, respiratory diseases and worse. So, stay warm, but always keep humidity low.

 

Poor ventilation

In the average household there are numerous pollutants sent into the air every day. From aerosol cans such as fly spray and deodorant to the smoke from cooking dinner. All of these pollutants affect air quality, which is why ventilation is so important.

Fireplaces, cleaning agents, smoking inside the house, gas cooking and heating appliances – they all put your air quality at risk, but proper ventilation ensures contaminated air is replaced with fresh air.

Tips for maintaining a healthy home office environment

Understanding the importance of healthy air quality and a comfortable temperature is just the first step. Now, it’s time to check out some tips to help make your home office healthier.

 

Tip 1: Install a small office air conditioner in your home

Even if your office is small, installing an energy-efficient air conditioner is the best way to maintain both the temperature and air quality.

Small office air conditioners don’t cost a fortune, and newer models are usually quite energy efficient. Choose an air conditioner that purifies and filters the air because this helps to remove contaminants.

The huge benefit of using a small office air conditioner is that it takes care of air quality and temperature at the same time. Set it at a comfortable temperature, use it as necessary, and experience a new level of home office comfort.

 

Tip 2: Use Indoor plants around the home

There are many ways to improve the air quality in your office, but one of the most sustainable and cheapest is indoor plants.

Plants produce oxygen and help to purify the air around them. Plenty of research suggests that indoor plants can boost productivity, reduce feelings of fatigue, and even lower stress levels.

Indoor plants are relatively inexpensive, and the only ongoing cost is a bit of water. Health benefits aside, adding natural elements to your home office makes it feel more homely and pleasant to work in. Remember, a comfortable home office also needs to have aesthetic appeal.

 

Tip 3: Take advantage of natural light

You may not think that natural light could affect your indoor air quality, but it definitely can.

Firstly, natural light may negate the need for other, more costly forms of lighting. However, it also brings UV radiation that can control bacteria and other viruses. This instantly improves your indoor air quality.

Opening or closing blinds accordingly also helps to regulate the room’s temperature. With more natural sunlight streaming through the windows, you can warm the office without the need for a heater. If it gets too hot, pull the blinds closed.

If you’re using a heater, blinds can help keep the warmth inside, so it’s more about controlling natural light levels rather than letting in as much sunlight as possible.

 

Tip 4: Ensure proper ventilation in the office

While it’s always nice to sit in a warm, cosy home office environment during winter, you still need some ventilation in your room. Your office might be toasty and warm without ventilation, but the air quality will suffer.

The great thing is, if you’ve installed an energy-efficient small air conditioner, it will help clean the air. However, you probably won’t have the AC running all day, so make sure there is a way for air to flow freely. This might include using an energy-efficient ceiling fan, opening a window or leaving the door open if possible.

 

Tip 5: Check for air leaks in doors and windows

While appropriate ventilation is good, unintentional air leaks are not.

The most common places for air to escape a room are the windows and doors. It’s a good idea to add weatherstripping around doors and windows to block air from coming in or out. It’s reasonably inexpensive from the hardware store and can be installed easily by yourself.

 

Create your own comfortable home office environment

All work-at-home mums need comfortable home office environments. When I was sorting out my home office, my local professional electrician was able to recommend the perfect size of AC unit for my office space.

As a result, productivity has increased, and I feel more alert and, most importantly, less tired at the end of the workday. Ultimately, working from home is about greater work-life balance, and with the right home office setup, you can comfortably balance your competing priorities. I hope these simple tips can do the same for you too 🙂