Setting the Thermometer

With Winter and Summer comes more time indoors in much of the developed world—and depending on whether you’re in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, Winter/Summer is almost upon us.
Spring and Autumn are regularly temperate, pleasant times to spend time outdoors and with the windows open, letting the temperature outside pretty much determine the temperature inside—but often everything changes once Winter and Summer arrive. Temperatures can be too hot or too cold for comfort, and in our world, that means HVAC systems bounce back into action, heating or cooling, as needed.

There are lots of factors that determine the best temperature for a space to be. To optimize our ability to analyse information, solve problems, think creatively, etc., the best temperatures for us when we’re awake, the place to set the thermostat is 70 to 72 degrees with relative humidity of from 40 to 70%. Room temperatures of about 65 degrees work well for people sleeping.

If we’re being active, a cooler temperature can be best, but less-active pursuits, say decompressing in an overstuffed chair with a good book at the end of the day, can be fine toward the upper end of the optimal range.

Need help setting a temperature based on what you’re doing, wearing, humidity and ventilation levels, etc.? Give this tool from the Center for the Built Environment a try: https://comfort.cbe.berkeley.edu/

If you’re trying to alter the perception of temperature in an area, surface colours can be your friend. We think a place is slightly warmer when we’re looking at mainly warm colours (oranges, peaches, etc.) on surfaces and slightly cooler when those around us are just are mainly cooler shades (greens and blues, for instance). The difference in perceived temperatures between the shades of colour can be up to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is enough to be noticeable. So, if you have a front vestibule that always seems to warm, paint it cool colours. A room where it seems like a couple of sweaters would be just right? Make sure it features warm colours.

Warmer coloured light can also make a space seem slightly hotter.

More or less natural light can also change its actual or perceived temperature.

Temperature is something that we can’t help but notice, particularly since extra warm and extra cool temps can influence our survival. Set at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with adjustments for clothes and activities, as laid out at the Center for the Built Environment website, area temperatures can support the life you’ve planned, not hinder it.