Relative humidity determines much about an organization’s productivity. However, it is not given due importance. Maintaining a comfortable work environment can contribute to an organization’s success. Regardless of the type of organization, proper humidity control is critical to the productivity and well-being of employees. It is also crucial to the protection of sensitive equipment.
In this blog post, we will examine the role of relative humidity in workplace comfort, its effects on employees, and actionable tips for maintaining the ideal balance.
What is Relative Humidity?
Relative humidity tells us how much water vapor prevails in the air compared to the total amount the air can carry at a given temperature. If the relative humidity is 30%, the air holds 30% of the moisture it’s capable of at that particular temperature. An optimal indoor humidity level is required for a comfortable, healthy, and productive atmosphere.
The Impact of Relative Humidity on Workplace Comfort
Humidity has a huge impact on the environment of any space–and so does the workplace. It contributes a lot to how we feel throughout the day. The relative humidity level must be appropriate for the employees to feel comfortable, as this is only when they can maintain their focus and perform efficiently and effectively.
Explaining the Link Between Humidity and Productivity
There is a clear link between the maintained humidity levels in a workplace and the productivity of its employees. If the environment of the workplace causes physical discomfort to employees, it will directly affect their work output. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain an optimal level of relative humidity and offer employees a comfortable work environment. It will help them stay
more focused and be more productive.
How Can High or Low Humidity Levels Affect Employee’s Productivity?
An inappropriate level of relative humidity will surely affect the performance of employees, which no organization wants. This is where the role of dehumidifiers comes in. Humidity levels outside the normal range—30 % to 50%—will cause discomfort and health issues in the long run. It will ultimately affect the work output of the employees, reducing their productivity. The impact of too-high or too-low humidity could be varying. However, it surely affects productivity in the workplace.
Effects of High Humidity on Workforce
Physical Discomfort
If the relative humidity is greater than 50%, it will cause suffocation and sweating during the warmer months. This will cause physical discomfort, and so the employees will not perform the way you expect them to. Higher humidity also causes dampness in the air and unpleasant odors. These environmental factors in the workplace will drastically reduce the comfort levels of the workforce and thus their productivity.
Health Impacts
Higher levels of humidity create an environment that flourishes bacterial growth, mold, and mildew. Staying in such an environment for certain hours every day leads to health issues, including allergies, skin irritation, and several respiratory problems among employees.
Impact on Productivity
Higher levels of humidity in the environment cause discomfort that directly affects the productivity of the workforce. This discomfort didn’t allow the employees to concentrate and stay motivated. Excessive moisture also damages equipment, such as computers, which may malfunction due to excess moisture. It also reduces the productivity of the employees.
Effects of Low Humidity on Workforce
Physical Discomfort
Lower levels of humidity may cause dry and itchy skin, scratchy throats, itchy eyes, and chapped lips–making employees physically uncomfortable.
Health Impacts
Lower levels of humidity cause dry air, which weakens the body’s natural defenses. Employees who work in a less humid atmosphere are more likely to develop respiratory problems, colds, or sore throats.
Impact on Productivity
Lower relative humidity levels significantly affect the productivity of employees in a workplace. Dry air creates an uncomfortable working environment and distracts employees by lowering their focus. Lower humidity often increases fatigue and exacerbates feelings of dehydration, making it harder for individuals to concentrate on work.
These unfavorable physical conditions negatively affect workplace productivity and morale. Lower relative humidity reduces cognitive function and hinders efficiency.
Best Practices for Maintaining the Ideal Range Of Relative Humidity
There are several ways to achieve the ideal range of relative humidity—-optimum humidity.
Monitoring Humidity Levels
You can monitor the humidity levels in your environment to determine the solution you need to achieve optimum humidity. Many tools, including hygrometers or smart humidity sensors, are available to accurately measure indoor humidity levels. These tools are easy to use, affordable, and provide exact results. Some of these tools are advanced enough to offer real-time updates.
Managing High Humidity
- Install Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are the best choice for reducing humidity in a space. They help achieve optimum humidity levels by removing excess moisture from the air. You can install dehumidifiers at a workplace to maintain humidity levels and keep the environment comfortable for employees to perform.
- Proper Ventilation
Sometimes lack of ventilation also increases the humidity in the air. You can arrange adequate ventilation options to reduce humidity levels. You can introduce a ventilation system, or simply open windows and turn on the exhaust fans to circulate air effectively.
Air Conditioning with Humidity Control
Most workplaces use air conditioning systems to provide a comfortable work environment for employees. The air conditioning systems increase the humidity level of a space in warmer weather. It may lead to discomfort in the workplace.
However, you can pair it up with a humidity control system to maintain the humidity in the air. Some HVAC systems have built-in humidity control features. You can upgrade your air conditioning system to get one with a built-in humidity control system, which keeps the environment comfortable.
Addressing Low Humidity
- Add Humidifiers
Humidifiers add humidity to a space’s air. This moisture makes the dry air more humid, making the environment comfortable. A humidifier also helps maintain the humidity of a space during dry weather.
- Add Indoor Plants
You can also use certain indoor plants to treat lower humidity levels. Indoor plants, like peace lilies and areca palms, are known for releasing moisture into the air, a natural way to regulate humidity efficiently.
Conclusion
Relative humidity maintains a comfortable work environment, ultimately increasing employees’ productivity. You can look for ways to ensure the optimal humidity level in your workspace, including monitoring humidity levels and installing dehumidifiers and humidifiers. Reach out to us and discover the tools and tips to transform your workspace. Let’s make it a haven of comfort and productivity by removing excess moisture from your space!