How to cool a small office?

Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 18:24
Last edited 20/05/2020 - 19:05

Hey team,

I'm in a bit of a pickle with my office at work - it is stinking hot, even in winter! Averaging about 25C in there today with a tower fan blowing. It's a small office (about 3mx2m) and I just can't work out how to cool it down! Its me plus a people I'm seeing all day in the office and it's pretty uncomfortable.

The issue is with the aircon. My office is down the end of the building and the aircon just doesn't reach that far (and seems to spit out warm air for some reason). The aircon people came and said there's nothing they can do. We don't own the building so we can't make structural changes. Management has basically said I'll have to deal with it until another guy retires in about six months, then I can have his office.

As mentioned, Ive got a decent tower fan going. I can't open the window due to privacy issues. We only have those small server computers that produce no heat. The lights are behind a panel (I assume fluorescent bulbs) so nothing making excessive heat (except the people).

I can't have anything kids can stick there fingers in (although sometimes I feel like they should learn that lesson the hard way) and nothing big. Preferably something that won't blow paperwork around. And nothing that requires mounting or open windows (I thought about portable aircon). I don't have much floor space so something that can go on the extra desk in the room would be ideal.

I'm thinking one of those bladeless fans. They're a bit pricey. Has anyone had experience with them? Do they actually make a difference to the heat in the room?

Otherwise, if anyone has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

EDIT: going to give the Vornado 660 a crack. Thanks for the input everyone - much appreciated!!!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Hybroid on 20/05/2020 - 18:27
    +2

    Vornado 660 (~$150 Costco) and angle it towards the wall upper corner. It bounces off and creates a cooler room through circulation. Works really well and far better than a normal tower fan, have it at home and reduced my reliance on AC significantly. Can be noisy but non-issue in an office. Worth a go.

    • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 18:32

      That looks impressive. How loud are we talking? Loud enough to be annoying when having a normal level conversation with someone?

      • Hybroid on 20/05/2020 - 18:37
        +1

        Not really, the noise is the airflow whoosh itself, not motor or any whine. I sleep with setting 2 on and 1-3 are fine at home. If you're sticking it in the corner or on a cabinet then will be fine.

        Setting 4 can be quite annoying but that's just a byproduct of it shifting a hell of a lot of air quickly.

        The controls are poor (switching it on starts at max setting default then you have to press 1, 2 or 3 if desired) and there's no oscillation (which is kinda the point) but the volume it pumps air out is very impressive.

        I would give it a go someplace you can return if you really don't like it.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/05/2020 - 18:38
        +1

        Not all that loud.

        • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 18:45

          Level one is super quiet. Is it me or does that guy sound like Trump?

          • [Deactivated] on 20/05/2020 - 18:48
            +1

            @Pineapples: Now that you've mentioned it , he does sound like a younger Trump…

            Edit: I wonder if his next review will be on hydroxychloroquine

      • Slippery Fish on 20/05/2020 - 19:26

        If it's so cool outside maybe just a pc fan drawing outside air in slowly would help?

    • Ezekiel2320 on 20/05/2020 - 18:37

      OP already has a fan. A more expensive fan blowing the same 25 degree air around the room won't lower the temperature in the office.

      • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 18:42

        True, but if it makes the office less stuffy, it might be worth it.

        Helpful advice. Thanks team

      • Hybroid on 20/05/2020 - 18:43
        +1

        Try it and you'll be pleasantly surprised. The airflow volume is the key which creates a cooling wind breeze effect. I've got 2 pedestals and a Vornado, from someone that can't stand heat and still air, I can tell you it makes a huge difference.

    • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 18:57

      Cheapest I can find it $179 on Amazon. Might give it a crack - they're pretty good with returns from personal experience. Or I might see if HN will price match (they're the only store we have out here sadly)

    • Pineapples on 29/05/2020 - 19:12
      +1

      Got the vornado 660 delivered yesterday. Very impressed. It needs to be on at least level 2 to do anything. Room is still around the same temperature, but somehow feels cooler. And it's definitely less stuffy! Heaps better than the Tower fan.

      Thanks heaps for the suggestion and everyone else for your input!

      • Hybroid on 30/05/2020 - 01:35
        +1

        Pleasure! Glad it worked for you! Try different angles and putting it on level 3 and see if that helps more and isn't too noisy. All the best to you and patrons.

        • Pineapples on 03/06/2020 - 20:07

          It started making a weird noise yesterday. Glad I went to Amazon not HN. One quick email and they've posted a replacement and paying for return postage of mine, no questions asked.

  • SydStrand on 20/05/2020 - 18:30
    +2

    Get an air circulator, like a Vornado

    • Pineapples on 30/05/2020 - 13:13

      Went with the vornado (see above). Very happy so far! Thanks for the suggestion

    • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 18:34
      +2

      It's 25C in my office when it's about 5-10C outside, so most people aren't dressed for it. Plus it's really stuffy. I'm a GP and a stuffy office for people who are sick and often rugged up isn't super pleasant. "Princess" is probably a little harsh.

      • lunchbox99 on 20/05/2020 - 18:36
        -2

        Wear board shorts to work. Problem solved.

        Also I'm only joking, so dont get upset.

  • Ezekiel2320 on 20/05/2020 - 18:37
    +1

    As much as it pains me to say it, one of those stupid portable aircon units might work. Is there somewhere you could pump the hot air out of your room and into the hallway? (Sorry every other tenant, you should all band together and complain to the landlord)

    • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 18:40

      It's a GP office, so my office is more of a room in the building. Sticking it down the communal corridor isn't really an option sadly. It's a government owned building, so little chance of getting anything done (I'm surprised they even sent someone to test it)

  • plmko on 20/05/2020 - 18:40

    Have some cool Reggae music play in the background.

  • JimmyF on 20/05/2020 - 18:56
    +1

    It's 25C in my office when it's about 5-10C outside

    It's a small office (about 3mx2m) and I just can't work out how to cool it down!

    Then open your office door, direct your current fan to either blow air in or out of the room. It'll cool down pretty fast if its 10c outside and you blow that air into the room. Do this for 10 mins to cool down, close door. Repeat as needed.

    • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 18:57

      Doable in winter, but unfortunately not an option on those warmer days/ come summer (I open up the window during lunch etc)

      • JimmyF on 20/05/2020 - 19:07
        +2

        Never mind. Carry on OP

  • scrimshaw on 20/05/2020 - 19:07
    +1

    Is there a suitable window that you can install a aircond unit on? https://www.harveynorman.com.au/heating-cooling-air-treatmen…

    • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 19:09

      Window doesn't open that much, it has a permanent fly screen attached and can't have any extra gaps that would allow anyone to listen in to the office unfortunately (ground floor office with a walkway outside). Would've been great otherwise - thanks for the suggestion!

  • John Kimble on 20/05/2020 - 19:48
    +2

    Please provide an update of how the vornado goes! Good luck!

  • Nugs on 20/05/2020 - 19:57
    +1

    Neck cooling wrap?
    Blokes who work in ten sheds next to furnaces on 40 degree days like them.
    https://neckcoolers.com.au/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5vepk5bC6QIVO8…
    .

    • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 20:39

      One of our staff who doesn't see clients has one of these (bigger version) and loves it. I just can't bring myself to wear one in front of people

  • theHMASfriendship on 20/05/2020 - 21:40

    Work from home.

  • Peter Enis on 20/05/2020 - 21:53

    My experience is the aircon people who visit commercial/office buildings always seem to adopt the "nothing we can do" stance. I'm sure there is SOMETHING they could do, more likely the owner knows all about the issue and has received many complaints in the past, they just don't want to spend money on fixing it. I'd complain over and over until something is done about it.
    At my work one of the new offices was freezing cold all the time and staff got the ole "nothing can be done" story, until eventually one staff refused to come to work any more citing a health & safety issue. Surprise surprise, they fixed it pretty quickly after that.

    • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 22:17

      The offices closer to the front of the building get really cold, which is why we can't crank down the aircon cooler (and they outrank me, so I have to deal with it!).

      The aircon people say they shifted something in the roof, and I did see them doing proper checks with big fancy equipment. Plus I know one of the blokes who was there and he's not a particularly dodgy guy. As a government building, I dont think they're going to care what we do as a company unfortunately

      • Mike88 on 20/05/2020 - 22:28
        +2

        Assuming you are connected to the same air conditioner supply it sounds like the front offices are getting too much airflow and you are getting too little for the heat load.
        They can restrict airflow going to the front offices to help airflow reach yours. Depending on access and design, can be easier said than done.

    • Mike88 on 20/05/2020 - 22:23
      +2

      Aircon mechanic here. Something can usually be done, just depends on whether you are valuable enough for them to do something about it.
      Open spaces are a problem as you may have 10 people all in that room wanting 10 different temperatures. If you have your own office things can be adjusted but not always resolved without major modifications that may need to be reverted as soon as someone else takes over that office.

      • Pineapples on 20/05/2020 - 22:37

        Thanks for the input. We've got inconsistent air flow - the front offices get really cold (and that's where the 'important' people are), but by the time you get to the back of the office, its pretty much spitting out warm air. I guess it's hard to tell without seeing it, but is that sort of issue generally something thats easily fixed? Or would it be a major job?

        • Mike88 on 20/05/2020 - 22:58

          If when you say really cold they are TOO cold for people in there, then some of the airflow could be redirected. If they are happy with the current temps in their office then that would only make it worse for them and better for you.
          Should not be getting warm air if they are getting cold unless you are not connected to the same air conditioner. It may not feel icy and your room might not be cool enough but it should be cooler than ambient.
          Also may be absorbing heat through duct work if it is not properly insulated.
          Duct work is never particularly easy fixes in offices spaces and it may just be a case of the system isn’t designed to effectively cool the amount of rooms connected. In which case the alternative would be getting additional AC installed. Again not cheap/easy.

      • singlemalt72 on 21/05/2020 - 11:21
        +1

        When I worked in energy efficiency for a large business we brought in new max and min AC/Cooling levels for winter and summer - I think we chose 17 for winter and 23 for summer, this was based on a study that I think 70% of people feel comfortable at those ambient levels and can dress up or down to suit.
        You always have a few that are freezing at 17 and sweltering at 23, but you cant't please all of the people, all of the time.

        We did have some luck with a few complainers by going into the office on a weekend and screwing a dummy thermostat to a wall, once they thought they had a modicum of control, the complaining stopped.

  • fishing on 21/05/2020 - 13:00
    +1

    If it's just for yourself, i find the EvaPolars are exceptionally effective and extremely cheap to run

    They create a personal zone

    https://evapolar.com/all-products/

    • skillet on 21/05/2020 - 23:05
      +1

      Nope https://youtu.be/bT1avpI7gxk?t=354

      Maybe if you put some Ice in there to further chill the water temp and insulate the container with a jacket to stop it from melting too quickly… It will rise the humidity in your little room and you will feel even warmer than before.

  • dasher86 on 16/11/2020 - 08:57

    @OP did the vornado help?

    • Pineapples on 17/11/2020 - 21:33

      Not as much as I was hoping unfortunately. I more or less just use it as a (very expensive) fan that I point at my face on low mode. Probably could achieve the same thing with a $5 desk fan.

      I'm moving offices in a few months, so just going to suck it up til then.

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