Temperature affects the body and there is an optimal range for people to feel comfortable and productive. Going outside of the optimal range can make a person uncomfortable, and mental and physical ability may be impaired. In addition, setting the room temperature too low can increase the risk of mould due to the cold air transporting water vapour around, increasing the amount of condensation on furniture, walls, and other surfaces.
The World Health Organisaton has defined a standard for comfortable warmth in room temperatures, which is 64°F or about 18°C.
This is the optimal range for human occupancy. It is considered a comfortable range, although specific individuals might prefer slightly higher or lower temperatures. Some studies have concluded that 25°C (77°F) is the optimal temperature for productivity while the ideal temperature for sleeping is 22°C (71°F).
At this temperature the body starts to feel uncomfortable from the cold and can start shivering and cause drowsiness. Some people might also experience shallow breathing and have trouble walking. Going below 12°C (54°F) can make it difficult to sleep while some people may experience trouble breathing and the cold will affect motor ability and reflexes, as well as the ability to respond to stimuli. It’s also possible to fall unconscious if this causes your internal body temperature to drop. At below 4°C (39°F) some may experience hypothermia, even indoors, resulting in sever health conditions.
This temperature is uncomfortable and can cause problems with concentrating. If it is this hot, one is likely to have heat cramps and exhaustion, and most people should limit their activity to keep their body temperatures down.
Extreme high temperatures of above 54°C (129°F) is dangerous and can result in heatstroke, a serious condition which is defined by increased internal body temperature and can result in unconsciousness and the shutting down of internal organs.
SOURCE: WHO, EUROPEAN PHARMACOPEIA, OSHA
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