The Summer Slump: Overcoming Solar Heat Gain to Maximize Home Office Productivity
Solar heat gain can make or break a remote work oasis. Architects, designers, and specifiers hold a special position to tackle this challenge, and the solution is simpler than one might think.
Today, 66 percent of workers in the U.S. work spend at least part of their time working remotely. Experts forecast a 417 percent increase in remote workers by 2025.
Either way you look at it, the message is clear: remote work isn’t going anywhere, which means the home office isn’t either.
Today, 66 percent of workers in the U.S. work spend at least part of their time working remotely, according to a report by Zippia. That number shoots up to 92 percent when talking about employees spending at least one day per week working from home, with the average U.S. worker working 5.8 remote workdays per month. But experts forecast a 417 percent increase in remote workers by 2025.
As such, it is more important than ever for the home office to be more than just a place to plug in a laptop. Instead, home offices can become sanctuary-like work environments that contribute to comfortable, productive work. But there are challenges, which architects and designers can do a lot toward addressing as early as the specification process, including one of the hotter months’ biggest productivity pitfalls: the sun.
Heat Stress and Productivity
Solar heat gain – the amount of heat that enters a building through windows due to solar radiation – can make or break a remote work oasis. Several factors contribute to this – the orientation of the windows, the size of the windows, and the type of glazing used. South-facing windows tend to receive the most direct sunlight and therefore have the highest potential for solar heat gain. Large windows, as well as single-pane windows, allow more heat to enter the room by nature.
Why is this important? Because our work area temperature can have a huge impact on how productive we are. In fact, studies have demonstrated a direct link between temperature and productivity. In one such study, researchers at the University of Chicago found that productivity plummeted four percent for every degree the temperature rose above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the warmer months, this can present a challenge for remote workers footing their own heating and cooling bills. Temperatures in a home workspace may rise fast, along with the energy bills. So how can work-from-home warriors mitigate solar gain, heat stress, and the potential for loss of productivity and energy efficiency that go along with it?
Custom roller shades in the lobby of a living facility in Kirkland, WA.
The Secret Weapon Against Solar Heat Gain in the Home Office
Why does this concern architects, designers, and specifiers? Because it is an opportunity to address the needs of a workforce that is spending more and more time in the homes you design.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, shutters and shades are most effective at reducing solar heat gain. Aside from insulating properties that can help reduce heat transfer, they also allow for precise control over the amount of light entering a room. When automated, they can be programmed to raise and lower at specific times of day, keeping temperatures low during the hottest parts of the day.
Roller shades developed by A&I Manufacturing are handcrafted locally in the Pacific Northwest, an area of the country that has led the charge in working from home for years. Seattle, for example, is regularly a top 10 finalist of cities with the most remote workers. It has also seen a surge of unusually high temperatures in the past few years.
“We’re making products that enhance the lives of people living right here in our backyard,” said David Keegan, A&I’s Commercial Specification Manager. "Something as simple as a well-made, locally produced roller shade is a versatile, energy efficient way to make a home workspace someplace desirable, and a great way to beat the heat without moving the needle on that power bill.”
By minimizing the amount of sunlight that enters a room, roller shades and shutters can help prevent uncomfortable glare on computer screens and other work surfaces, which can be distracting and reduce productivity. They can also help maintain a consistent temperature throughout the day, ensuring a comfortable work environment for those who spend extended periods of time in the home office.
As the number of remote workers continues to grow, it becomes increasingly crucial to establish a work environment at home that is both productive and comfortable. Architects, designers, and specifiers hold a special position to tackle this challenge by integrating simple, effective solutions like roller shades into their specification process early on. By prioritizing the reduction of solar heat gain and ensuring a consistent temperature, these professionals can significantly enhance the overall well-being and productivity of the remote workforce.
Want to learn more about A&I Manufacturing’s locally and sustainably made roller shades? Visit our website to view spec sheets, photos, color swatches, and to order samples.
