People work best when they are comfortable. Employees are at their most productive in an environment set at 22 degrees celsius, according to a study by Cornell University, but also at lower humidity levels according to a recent study in the journal Building and Environment.
Most office spaces manage to maintain a regular temperature level thanks to central heating systems in the winter and HVAC systems in the summer, but unless a company is based in the most humid conditions few businesses consider the impact of humidity, which can impact both on employees office maintenance. Here are four benefits of dehumidifying the workplace:
1. Reduced humidity can help prevent mould
Mould grows in damp conditions and if allowed to develop can put people’s health at risk, causing a variety of allergies which can result in eye irritation, sneezing, skin rashes, and asthma attacks. A dehumidifier can keep the humidity below 50 per cent, which will prevent mould from growing rapidly.
2. Improved air quality
Mold spores will affect air quality, so preventing mould from developing is always a positive. However, it is not just mould that grows rapidly in humid conditions, with most bacteria and funguses developing most rapidly in conditions where humidity is over 60 per cent. A reduction in humidity can therefore improve air quality across a variety of factors.
3. Lower maintenance costs
High humidity can impact the performance of buildings. High humidity can cause the build up of mould and mildew, as well as cause slip hazards and the corrosion and decay of the materials from which the building in constructed. Reducing the humidity in the building will save in maintenance costs long term.
4. Cost effective
Dehumidifiers are a relatively low cost way to give employees better working conditions and reduce maintenance costs. The dehumidifier units themselves are relatively low cost and simple to install, and with an industrial desiccant dehumidifier, running costs are also relatively low.