Why stores and offices are so over-airconditioned.
Source: Enduring Summer’s Deep Freeze – The New York Times
NEW YORK—Much of the world is “over air conditioned,” according to an article in The New York Times. Even on the hottest days of the year, it is not uncommon to see office workers use blankets or sweaters. “Being able to make people feel cold in the summer is a sign of power and prestige,” said Richard de Dear, director of the Indoor Environmental Quality Laboratory at University of Sydney, Australia. “Chilling capacity” is an amenity in many commercial real estate lease agreements. In retail, colder temperatures are associated with how “high-end” a store is. Buildings professionals also are at fault. Building managers typically don’t adjust the temperature setpoint higher in summer when people wear lighter clothing. Also, air-conditioning systems are usually designed for worst-case scenarios. Those scenarios often don’t factor in modern lighting and office equipment, which emit less heat. And, engineers say they might add a 20% upward correction to be on the safe side. A result is systems with “ridiculous” overcapacity.
