What Lighting and Temperature Are Best for Work?

Created By RISC | 2 years ago

Last modified date : 2 years ago

Ever felt like you can't work well in a coffee shop, co-working space, or at home, especially in such hot weather?​

It's not because the ambiance is bad. But the air temperature and lighting might make you less effective.​

So how do air temperature and lighting influence us? What’s best?​

A study in the Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering entitled "The effect of indoor office environment on the work performance, health, and well-being of office workers" in 2014 collected data in India from people sitting at the same desk with an air temperature of 17°C, 21°C, and 28°C. Lighting was adjusted to 500, 750, and 1000 Lux. Volunteers completed 12 assessments to assess brain performance and learning. Work efficiency was measured by speed and accuracy.​

The ideal working temperature was 21°C and the optimum lighting was 1,000 Lux. The same study found that a temperature of 28°C with 1000 Lux made people faster but less accurate, compared with 500 or 750 Lux. Higher temperatures with less light can enhance job efficiency.​

You might wonder if air temperature or lighting matters most.​

According to the study, room temperature influences us by 38.56% and lighting by 19.91%. The proper temperature boosts performance. In each country, the ideal air temperature for job effectiveness is also determined by personal choice.​

Story by Chirapa Horbanluekit, Communication Researcher, RISC

References:​
Vimalanathan, K., Ramesh Babu, T. The effect of indoor office environment on the work performance, health and well-being of office workers. J Environ Health Sci Engineer 12, 113 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40201-014-0113-7​