JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 14 June 2018 – Whether it’s a chilly winter day or a scorcher, the indoor temperature of your home or office can affect your emotional and physical health. Air conditioners have come a long way since the ‘window rattlers’ of the past, intelligent technology assists in not only getting the perfect temperature, but also with cleaning and conditioning the air to perfection.

Homes that haven’t been designed to South African National Standards energy efficiency regulations, are often freezing in winter, with many people having to don more clothes when they go inside than they do while outside. Building regulations for newer homes have addressed this issue, ensuring that there is appropriate insulation, so heat stays out during summer and in during winter, meaning less energy is used trying to heat or cool poorly ventilated and insulated spaces.^[i]

But just what is the right temperature? The World Health Organisation recommends 18 degrees Celsius as the benchmark for homes, unless you suffer from allergies or breathing issues, then a lower 16 degrees, is recommended. According to research, up to 21 degrees is best for comfort.^[ii] This changes a bit for sleeping. The human body naturally reduces its core warmth to initiate sleep, so it makes sense to have the room a little colder too. If it is too hot, it’s likely to be a restless night – rather keep bed-time heat to between 15 and 19 degrees.^[iii] If you’ve got a bathroom off the bedroom, you will want to keep it a bit warmer than the sleeping space, though. There’s nothing quite as uncomfortable as a chilly bathroom, so a warm 23 degrees is usually best. ^[iv]

Robert Larkan, Head of Digital Air Solutions for Samsung South Africa, says, “Samsung’s newest innovation in air solutions is Wind-Free, which distributes air beautifully without a direct breeze. This is the perfect solution for sleep, as well as in office environments. The ambient temperature remains even throughout the entire space that’s being conditioned.”

Baby rooms are a bit different. The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is more prevalent in babies who are too hot. If the room is too cold, then it’s likely the child will wake up more often. The best heat level is between 20 and 21 degrees. For pre-term babies, it should be a bit higher, at 22 degrees – a too-chilly room will mean the baby will need to burn up additional calories to keep warm, which isn’t ideal.^[v]

“Keeping the air clean is obviously important and an example of how Samsung air conditioners address this is through the PM2.5 Filter that keeps the air clean by capturing 99% of ultrafine dust in 100 minutes on the wind-free option. It covers 100% of the air inlet, so it completely filters all of the air coming in,” adds Larkan.

A home is one thing, because even with different family members all sharing a space, it’s easy enough to come to an agreement on what the temperature should be. When it comes to the office, however, it’s not always that easy. Interestingly, a cooler space doesn’t always encourage efficiency and research has found that the 21 degree is best for optimum productivity in an office environment. When it comes to gyms and workout spaces, humidity comes into play. Workouts are most effective and comfortable in an environment of between 20 to 23 degrees, with a humidity level of 20 to 60%.^[vi]

While air conditioners do use electricity, Larkan says, “In line with energy saving requirements, Samsung’s world first digital Inverter 8-Pole compressor consumes only 32% of the energy used by conventional air-conditioning models, saving 68%^[vii] of energy usage. It maintains the desired temperature without frequently turning it on and off, so it’s much quieter, more durable and efficient. The fast cooling feature cools the air 43% faster, using a triangular architecture to disperse air further and more widely.”

Whatever space you’re in, be sure to keep your environment at peak levels for a healthier and more productive life.

^{[i] http://sans10400.co.za/guide-sans-10400xa/}

^{[ii] https://www.geotogether.com/consumer/whats-perfect-indoor-temperature-home/}

^{[iii] [iii] https://sleep.org/articles/temperature-for-sleep/}

^{[iv] https://vasco.eu/en-gb/blog/heating-general/what-ideal-room-temperature-your-living-room-bathroom-and-bedroom}

^{[v] https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/baby-care/what-is-right-temperature-for-baby/}

^{[vi] https://blog.gyminsight.com/1517-optimal-temperature-volume-settings-for-your-gym/}

^{[vii] Tested on AR09MSPXASINEU compared with Samsung conventional model AQ09TSLXEA}

Now, air conditioners are no longer a major luxury item, but almost a standard fixture in most homes and certainly in office buildings and shopping centres. In fact, *studies have shown that human productivity peaks in temperatures between 21 and 22 degrees Celsius – so, it makes economic sense for businesses to ensure they install air conditioning.

If you have air conditioning in your home, you’re not going to want to pack up the car, take a mad-dash drive to your usual coastal or bush space and spend the holidays traipsing about in intense heat and dealing with hordes of other holiday-makers. You’re definitely going to want to maximise your downtime with a cool staycation.

To get your chill on, simply check out the myriad options from Samsung – whether you want a fully integrated system or a single split unit, you’ll find a chill solution to suit your unique needs, with super-tech Virus Doctor and Easy Filter options. If you’re not sure what to do with all your chill out time, here are a few ways up your downtime that’ll have your beach-going friends red-hot with envy.

Theme days

Travel around the world at home. Get each member of the family to choose a destination and create a day themed around that destination – from meals and décor to music and activities, the entire family will have loads of fun getting creative. For example, if Paris is on the list, here are a few tips to create your day:

• Meals:

Breakfast: Warm croissants and hot chocolate. Lunch: Pate, bread, cheese (baked camembert is a must), simple salad. Dinner: Hachis Parmentier – this is a French version of cottage pie; simply jump onto your smartphone and get a recipe. Easy to prepare and exquisitely delicious. Décor: Bring out the red, white and blue, and include sharply white tablecloths and table linen; create an art-gallery in your lounge or dining area with hand-made art pieces. Put the lights down low and make use of fairy lights or candles. Dress: A beret or two, as well as clean lines in plain colours. Music: Pump up the Edith Piaf.

• Competition time: Challenge family members to come up with an activity that everyone can do and enjoy – from a ‘come dine with me challenge’ to producing a skit. If you are going to get the family to produce plays or performances, set up a stage area in the biggest room of your home, using sheets and blankets as a curtained-off space.

• Film festival: Get each family member to choose their favourite movie and create a comfortable space in front of the TV (tip: get rid of the couch and lay blankets and cushions down for a luxuriously bohemian experience). Line up the movies and enjoy with gourmet popcorn, home-made slushies and drive-in food (burgers, milkshakes and ice-cream Sundaes).

Source:

*http://alifeofproductivity.com/temperature-productivity/