4 ms·

In Hong Kong in particular I noticed that every commercial building seems to have the AC perpetually on 18°C (65°F) even when it's 30°+ outside. I don't get it

by Nition 8y ago

In Hong Kong in particular I noticed that every commercial building seems to have the AC perpetually on 18°C (65°F) even when it's 30°+ outside. I don't get it because it just makes you have to take a jacket with you. Why not put the AC on 23°C (73°F) in summer?

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
Spooky23 8y ago
Building managers love that, but people do not because buildings don’t heat evenly and solar gains will make many people uncomfortable at 72-73.
sjg007 8y ago
This is a well known issue and it developed historically because of business wear (suits etc..)..
- thaumasiotes 8y ago
  The reverse issue is also common -- you need to go from your house (comfortable) through the outdoors (freezing cold) into the mall. The mall is kept at a toasty temperature, which means you arrive wearing heavy cold-weather clothing and immediately overheat. I don't see how this could have developed from business wear.
hndamien 8y ago
I know somebody that bought a space heater in Australia for their office in Singapore because the AC was perpetually too cold. For obvious reasons, you can't buy space heaters in Singapore.
- princeb 8y ago
  can only guess it's one of those modern buildings with glass curtain walls and in these buildings those sitting under the vents are going to be hit by a massive blast of dry, freezing air, and those next to the windows are going to be absolutely cooking.
ams6110 8y ago
I keep my house at 78 in the summer. Enough to feel comfortable compared to outside, especially with the humidity reduction. When I'm at home I wear shorts and a light T shirt. Commercial buildings at 70-72 are uncomfortably cool to me when the outside temp is 90, but I agree that 78 is probably too warm for typical professional work attire.
JoshTriplett 8y ago
There are studies regarding the ideal temperature for productive office work, and while the exact numbers vary and don't tend to be anywhere near as low as 65, the general consensus seems to be well under 73.
topmonk 8y ago
I always thought it was a way to hide bad smells and dry out the place.

by Nition 8y ago

deleted 8y ago

[deleted]

Spooky23 8y ago

Building managers love that, but people do not because buildings don’t heat evenly and solar gains will make many people uncomfortable at 72-73.

sjg007 8y ago

This is a well known issue and it developed historically because of business wear (suits etc..)..

thaumasiotes 8y ago
The reverse issue is also common -- you need to go from your house (comfortable) through the outdoors (freezing cold) into the mall. The mall is kept at a toasty temperature, which means you arrive wearing heavy cold-weather clothing and immediately overheat. I don't see how this could have developed from business wear.

hndamien 8y ago

I know somebody that bought a space heater in Australia for their office in Singapore because the AC was perpetually too cold. For obvious reasons, you can't buy space heaters in Singapore.

princeb 8y ago
can only guess it's one of those modern buildings with glass curtain walls and in these buildings those sitting under the vents are going to be hit by a massive blast of dry, freezing air, and those next to the windows are going to be absolutely cooking.

ams6110 8y ago

I keep my house at 78 in the summer. Enough to feel comfortable compared to outside, especially with the humidity reduction. When I'm at home I wear shorts and a light T shirt. Commercial buildings at 70-72 are uncomfortably cool to me when the outside temp is 90, but I agree that 78 is probably too warm for typical professional work attire.

JoshTriplett 8y ago

There are studies regarding the ideal temperature for productive office work, and while the exact numbers vary and don't tend to be anywhere near as low as 65, the general consensus seems to be well under 73.

topmonk 8y ago

I always thought it was a way to hide bad smells and dry out the place.