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Offices often fail to provide consistent thermal comfort, with temperatures swinging from too hot to too cold, regardless of the weather outside. In fact, some employees may experience both extremes simultaneously—too hot in one spot and too cold in another, depending on their location or even their gender. But there may be a smarter approach to staying comfortable at work than using a space heater under your desk. A better option might be paying attention to foot comfort, which could be a more efficient solution to temperature troubles in the workplace, according to The Atlantic.
As journalist Sarah Zhang reports:
Feet are highly sensitive to temperature, it turns out. When you get chilly, the blood vessels in your extremities constrict first, which is your body’s way of preventing further heat loss. “The discomfort arises because your feet feel numb or almost numb,” explains Edward Arens, a professor of architecture at the University of Berkeley who specializes in thermal comfort. If building managers could adjust temperature just for the feet, they could save on energy and reduce costs. This is exactly what researchers at Berkeley are investigating, focusing on optimizing thermal comfort starting from the feet.
The models used to calculate air conditioning needs in buildings are primarily based on research about men's metabolic rates, assuming workers will be dressed in full suits with thick socks and shoes. Meanwhile, women might show up to the office in summer wearing dresses and sandals, which explains why the temperature often feels colder than expected.
Arens is working on a foot warmer designed to keep people warm while prioritizing energy efficiency. In 2013, he and his team calculated that their Personal Comfort System could reduce electricity consumption by up to 30 percent. Stefano Schiavon, an assistant professor of architecture at Berkeley, is exploring how placing ventilation in floors instead of ceilings could enhance comfort in buildings. In his experiments, he monitors participants working in flip-flops—turns out, ankles are highly sensitive to cold air.
It may take some time before your office is equipped with advanced foot-warming gadgets or in-floor cooling systems. However, considering how significantly foot temperature impacts overall comfort, a high-tech fix might not be required to improve your cubicle experience. Sometimes, simply swapping shoes is enough.
As I write this, my feet and ankles are going numb in the icy office air. Excuse me while I switch into some cozy wool socks.
