Imagine walking into the office on a Monday morning. It’s cold outside, but inside you’re greeted by heavy, warm air and an open window that someone has tried to use as a ventilation system. The temperature fluctuates throughout the day, and you feel it in both your concentration and your mood. Does that sound familiar? Temperature fluctuations in the office aren’t just annoying – they can also affect the well-being, productivity and health of your employees.
In this article, we delve into how you can prevent temperature fluctuations in the office – based on Danish standards, research and technology. We guide you to concrete solutions that both create stable and healthy working conditions and support sustainable operations.
The temperature in the workplace is not just a matter of comfort – it is about the working environment, productivity and health. According to the Danish Working Environment Authority, the temperature in office environments should be between 20-22 °C in winter and up to 24 °C in summer. Temperatures outside this range – or large fluctuations during the day – can lead to headaches, fatigue and reduced concentration.
A stable indoor climate is also crucial to avoid moisture problems, mold and energy waste. And at a time when both the green transition and employee well-being are high on the agenda, there is every reason to take the indoor climate seriously.
There can be many reasons why the temperature fluctuates in the office. Some of the most common are:
Many office buildings – especially older ones – are not designed to handle the changing Danish climate. This means that temperatures can fluctuate significantly throughout the day and year, resulting in discomfort and energy waste.
The solution to temperature fluctuations is not one thing – it is the sum of several actions working together. Here are five key strategies you should consider:
The first step to solving a problem is understanding it. With modern sensor technology, you can gain precise insight into how the temperature develops throughout the day in different zones of the office. At ÅBN , we have developed intuitive sensors and dashboards that make the indoor climate as easy to understand as the weather forecast. This means you no longer have to guess – you get concrete data that you can act on.
Not all rooms and areas in a building have the same needs. A meeting room with many people requires different temperature control than an empty office. By dividing the building into zones and using demand-controlled ventilation, you can target heating and cooling where it is needed – and avoid overcompensation that creates fluctuations.
According to the Knowledge Center for Energy Savings in Buildings, flexible ventilation systems with heat recovery and automatic control are some of the most effective solutions for creating stable thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption.
The sun's rays can be a major source of overheating – especially in offices with large south-facing windows. Therefore , the Danish Building Research Institute (SBi) recommends the use of dynamic solar shading (e.g. automatic blinds or external screens) that can adapt to the position and intensity of the sun. At the same time, the building's thermal mass – e.g. concrete walls and floors – can be used to absorb and smooth out temperature fluctuations over time.
The Danish Building Regulations (BR20 and BR22) set requirements for how ventilation and heating systems should be dimensioned and installed in new and renovated buildings. It is not only about energy consumption – but also about ensuring stable and healthy indoor climate conditions all year round. By following the requirements of the Building Regulations and the Danish Standard , you ensure that your office is equipped to handle both winter cold and summer heat.
Technology and building engineering are important – but they work best when people use them correctly. That’s why it’s crucial to involve employees in the work of creating a stable indoor climate. These can be simple measures like closing doors, using sun protection correctly or not opening windows unnecessarily.
At ÅBN, we work with visualization and behavioral design that helps employees understand and influence their indoor climate – without it feeling like a burden. When you can see how your actions affect the temperature and air quality, a natural motivation arises to act appropriately.
Many problems with temperature fluctuations are only discovered when employees complain – but by then the damage has already been done. That's why we recommend that you carry out an indoor climate check , where you map the temperature conditions over time and in different zones. This can be done with simple sensors and data visualization – such as ÅBN Inside , which gives you a comprehensive overview of the indoor climate in your building.
A climate check can reveal patterns you wouldn't otherwise notice: Maybe it's always too hot in certain meeting rooms in the afternoon? Maybe the temperature drops drastically in the reception every morning? With that knowledge in hand, you can target your actions and create noticeable improvements.
When you invest in stabilizing the temperature in your office, you get much more than comfort:
