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Lansing's Advice Column

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Dear IMO,

I love summer. Summer is a time to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables, concerts in the park, and walks along a host of trails. Summer also inaugurates the air-conditioning season. Our office keeps the AC a few degrees above freezing. The office manager claims that the temperature is set by those who do the regular maintenance on the system, and they take into account a whole set of parameters. Meanwhile, I walk around with a thick cardigan sweater, and from time to time, cup my hands together and exhale warm air on them. How can I get management to raise the temperature just a few degrees? Can it really be that difficult?

A very chilly,

Dawn

Dear Dawn,

In the words of a certain former president, "I feel your pain." Offices face many challenges, but control of the thermostat is among the top ten. In my office, there are 10 people who work in our building. Yet when you take into consideration the range of factors including body type, clothing, activity level, proximity to other people and vents, computers, windows, and individual preferences, you will find that there are at least 12 different opinions as to what is the ideal temperature for our office.

Most new buildings are built with the idea that one size fits all with one central thermostat that is programmed for a certain temperature. On average, women do tend to feel colder in air conditioned offices because of the muscle to body ratio. Men tend to have more muscle mass than women so they tend to generate more heat. Women also have the freedom to wear clothing that leaves arms, legs and the neck area exposed. Most men wear suits and ties to work and need the extra blast of cold air to feel comfortable. Few offices encourage men to wear kilts, Capris, or sleeveless shirts, but that could change.

There is hope. You might be able to regulate the vent in your office or close it off altogether depending upon your preference. A slight turn of a knob ought to decrease the cool air flow and give some relief. Of course, you can bring a light sweater or shawl to work and throw it over your shoulders when the temperature dips below the comfort zone. If none of these tricks work, just be patient as cooler weather is just a few months away.

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