Why one colleague freezes while another sweats in office: Experts explain how central AC systems are messing with health, productivity

Stepping into an Indian office often feels like entering two different seasons at once. One corner has employees wrapped in shawls, while another sees someone sweating under the same roof. The culprit? Centralised air-conditioning.

A recent TOI report sheds light on how uncomfortable temperatures are becoming a real workplace problem, affecting not just comfort but also health and productivity.

Deepali Raina, who works at a real estate firm, keeps a jacket at her desk all year round. “Even in summer, I freeze at work,” she laughs. And she’s not alone. Many employees try covering vents with paper or cardboard to stop the chilly blast. Piyush Amola, an IT consultant, adds, “I’ve seen one room feel like a freezer while the next one feels like a sauna.”

This inconsistency happens because of the “one-size-fits-all” nature of centralised AC systems, experts told TOI.

Professor Anurag Goyal from IIT Delhi explained to TOI that most commercial buildings use large AC systems designed to cool based on worst-case scenarios, like the hottest day of the year with full occupancy. But on regular days, or when rooms aren’t fully occupied, the result is overcooling.

That’s not all. Poor air circulation, bad insulation, and direct sunlight in some areas make certain rooms hotter while others stay icy cold. To make matters worse, the temperature setting is often fixed at 18–21°C, much colder than needed.

Dr Akhilesh Arora from Delhi Technological University told TOI that how warm or cold we feel isn’t just about the air temperature. It also depends on our clothing, body type, activity level, age, and even mood.

For example, someone working quietly at a desk may feel colder than someone moving around or stressed. That’s why one room full of people can have completely different comfort levels.

“There can’t be any generalised conditions in which all individuals feel comfortable,” Dr Arora said.

Experts agree that we need smarter, adaptive air-conditioning systems. Professor Goyal said cooling should be based on actual room conditions. New technologies like variable air volume (VAV) systems and sensors can adjust the temperature depending on the number of people in the room and outdoor weather.

Better building design can also help. Features like insulated walls, shaded windows, and smarter layouts can reduce heat build-up and make cooling more efficient.

One of the simplest solutions? Just raise the thermostat a bit. “Set it to 24–25°C,” Goyal suggests. “It’s comfortable enough for office workers who are mostly sitting all day.”

What seems like a small inconvenience is actually a big deal. Cold offices can cause frequent colds, tiredness, and headaches, all of which affect employee morale and output. When people are distracted by physical discomfort, they’re not focused on their work.

Inputs from TOI