Want to Get More Done at Home? Set The Thermostat Like This

When you need to get stuff done at home, you want to maximize your productivity, right?

Whatever your projects are, we have some good news: Studies show that humans are most productive when temperatures range from 71°–77° F.

In this article, we’ll explain why that temperature range helps humans be more productive and how you can best control your home’s temperature...

Two studies suggest that the ideal temperature for productivity falls somewhere in the 71° to 77° F range.

The first study, conducted by Helsinki University of Technology and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in 2006 found that the best workplace productivity happens around 71° F.

A second study conducted by Cornell University here in Florida discovered that the ideal temperature in the workplace is a little warmer, around 77° F.

But both studies found that if you drop the temperature too low or raise the temperature too high then work productivity takes a significant dive.

The reasoning is simple—when the body’s temperature is too high or too low, we waste energy keeping cool or warm, which makes it more difficult to focus on work.

So, why the difference in temperature findings from the two studies?

Well, the “ideal” temperature for an individual can depend on several factors including:

• Indoor humidity levels
• Indoor air quality
• The season and climate of the home’s location
• Body type
• Gender

Since the ideal temperature can vary from person to person and setting to setting, the “ideal” temperature for you can vary within that range.

To find which temperature works best for you, try lowering or raising your thermostat until you find a temperature that feels comfortable and lets you get lost in your work. The less you’re thinking about the temperature, the better!

Because of their advanced technology, a programmable thermostat can help you be more productive at home in 3 ways:

1. Programmable thermostats are more accurate than older, manual-type thermostats. Because programmable thermostats are digital they can actually get within +/- 1° of your desired temperature, whereas manual thermostats have a +/- 3° difference or more.
2. Some programmable thermostats allow you to control your home’s humidity levels. Like we mentioned above, indoor humidity levels can affect your productivity as well. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends that indoor humidity levels stay within 20% and 60%.
3. Programmable thermostats allow you to control your cooling schedule. Are there days you work from home? You can schedule your thermostat to automatically adjust to your “productive” temperature. For example, if you know you work on home on Tuesdays, you can set your programmable thermostat to automatically set itself to 71° (or whatever temperature works for you) that day. That makes adjusting your thermostat one less thing you have to worry about!

Or, read the following articles about programmable thermostats and visit our smart thermostat page.