Estate Planning

Feeling The Heat Over Cold Temperatures

By Hull and Hull LLP

I don't know about you, but I would be enjoying this heat wave a lot more if I wasn't smack dab in the centre of the smog advisory zone. Although, I can't really complain as I wasn't one of the unlucky people stuck in elevator shafts during the power outage earlier this week without air conditioning. Ugh.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, going through a hot summer confined in a cold air-conditioned office is another form of torture in my view. Interestingly, an article in the July 2, 2010 edition of The Lawyers Weekly on room temperature gathered the following data from a survey of 95 US office buildings:

...                    When the air gets too chilly, productivity declines.

...                    Symptoms were found of, among other things, problems with upper and lower respiratory tracts, eyes, and skin as well as headache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.  These symptoms were increased by 50% in buildings kept below 23 degrees (often temperatures are set on the assumption that the building is full - research indicates usually 40 to 50% of employees are there).

...                    When people experience temperatures they feel comfortable with (usually warmer than cooler) they do more work and spend more time at their desks.

Some recommendations offered are setting room temperature in common areas to industry standards, placing thermostats in individual offices, and possibly adding a humidifier. 

I hope you all find your own way of beating the heat, and the cold. Have a great weekend!

Natalia Angelini

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on July 09, 2010 (boomark / email).