Temperature is one of the most common workplace comfort complaints in the UAE. Employees may say that an office is too cold, too warm, unevenly cooled or uncomfortable during certain times of the day. Meeting rooms may become warm when occupied, perimeter areas may be affected by sunlight, and desks near supply air diffusers may feel too cold.

In many cases, the issue is not simply the thermostat setting. Workplace temperature can be affected by HVAC zoning, air balancing, diffuser locations, solar gain, occupancy levels, insulation, room layout and heat-producing equipment.

RMT provides temperature testing in UAE workplaces as part of its environmental testing services, helping companies identify whether indoor temperatures are suitable, where comfort problems are occurring and what improvements may be needed.

What poor temperature control does to a workplace

Poor temperature control affects more than comfort. It can influence concentration, staff satisfaction, productivity, energy use and the performance of building systems.

A workplace that is too cold can make employees uncomfortable, distracted and less productive. Staff may avoid certain desks, wear extra layers indoors or complain about cold air blowing directly onto them. A workplace that is too warm can cause fatigue, discomfort, reduced concentration and frustration, especially in high-occupancy rooms or areas exposed to sunlight.

Poor temperature control can lead to:

• repeated employee complaints;
• reduced concentration and productivity;
• discomfort in open-plan offices;
• meeting rooms becoming too warm during use;
• cold spots near AC diffusers;
• hot areas near windows or external walls;
• uneven comfort between zones;
• unnecessary thermostat adjustments;
• higher energy consumption;
• difficulty identifying HVAC performance issues.

In the UAE, these issues are especially important because buildings rely heavily on air-conditioning for most of the year. Even small HVAC or zoning problems can create noticeable differences between work areas.

Why good temperature control is important

Good temperature control helps create a workplace where employees can work comfortably and consistently. The goal is not simply to make the office cold. The goal is to maintain a stable, suitable indoor environment that supports comfort, productivity and efficient HVAC operation.

Good temperature control helps companies:

• reduce complaints about hot and cold areas;
• improve employee comfort and satisfaction;
• support concentration and workplace productivity;
• identify HVAC zoning or balancing issues;
• reduce unnecessary energy waste;
• improve meeting room comfort;
• support indoor air quality and workplace comfort reviews;
• provide evidence for facilities, HSE and management decisions.

Temperature testing is valuable because thermal comfort is not based on temperature alone. ASHRAE Standard 55 explains that thermal comfort depends on environmental factors such as temperature, thermal radiation, humidity and air speed, as well as personal factors such as activity and clothing.

This means that two areas with the same air temperature may still feel different depending on airflow, sunlight, humidity, clothing, occupancy and the type of work being carried out.

Ideal temperature values for UAE workplaces

For UAE workplace comfort screening, RMT uses a target dry-bulb temperature range of 22.5°C to 25.5°C.

This range is useful for assessing typical indoor office comfort and identifying areas that may require further investigation. Readings below this range may indicate overcooling, poor diffuser placement or excessive air movement. Readings above this range may indicate undercooling, high occupancy, solar gain, poor air distribution or insufficient HVAC performance.

As a practical guide:

Typical office comfort target:
22.5°C to 25.5°C dry-bulb temperature

Below 22.5°C:
Review overcooling, AC setpoints, supply air direction, diffuser location and complaints about cold drafts.

Above 25.5°C:
Review HVAC capacity, zoning, solar gain, occupancy, meeting room usage, air balancing and heat-producing equipment.

High-occupancy rooms:
Monitor during actual use, not only when empty.

Perimeter zones:
Check the effect of windows, direct sunlight and external heat gain.

Internal zones:
Check whether cooling is excessive due to poor zoning or thermostat placement.

ASHRAE Standard 55 does not treat comfort as one fixed air temperature. It is designed to evaluate combinations of environmental and personal factors that produce satisfactory thermal conditions for most occupants.

Why temperature readings alone are not enough

A temperature reading is important, but it does not always explain the full comfort issue.

For example, an office may measure within the target range but still feel uncomfortable if cold air is blowing directly onto employees. A meeting room may be acceptable when empty but become warm after 30 minutes of occupancy. A desk near a window may be affected by solar gain, while a desk near a diffuser may feel too cold.

A proper temperature assessment should consider:

• temperature readings in different zones;
• time of day;
• occupancy level;
• meeting room use;
• direct sunlight and solar gain;
• diffuser and air supply locations;
• thermostat position;
• air movement;
• humidity;
• staff complaints;
• HVAC operating schedules;
• heat from equipment, screens or machinery.

This is why temperature testing should focus on workplace impact, not only the number on the sensor. The purpose is to understand whether the indoor environment supports the people using the space.

How to improve temperature conditions in different situations

Temperature problems can have different causes. The correct solution depends on whether the issue is overcooling, undercooling, uneven zoning, solar gain, poor airflow or occupancy-related heat build-up.

If the office is too cold

Overcooling is a common issue in UAE offices. It may happen when thermostat setpoints are too low, air diffusers blow directly onto desks, or one HVAC zone is cooling multiple areas with different needs.

Possible improvements include:

• reviewing HVAC setpoints;
• adjusting diffuser direction;
• relocating desks away from direct supply air;
• checking thermostat placement;
• reviewing air balancing;
• separating zones where possible;
• reducing excessive cooling during low occupancy;
• checking whether complaints are linked to specific desks or times of day.

Cold areas should be assessed carefully because increasing the setpoint for the whole office may make other zones too warm.

If the office is too warm

Warm workplace areas may be caused by poor cooling capacity, high occupancy, sunlight, poor air distribution, blocked diffusers, equipment heat or incorrect HVAC scheduling.

Possible improvements include:

• checking HVAC performance;
• reviewing cooling setpoints;
• inspecting blocked or poorly placed diffusers;
• checking air balancing;
• reducing solar gain with blinds or shading;
• reviewing heat-producing equipment;
• checking occupancy levels;
• monitoring temperatures during peak working hours.

This is especially important in UAE buildings where external heat and sunlight can strongly affect perimeter zones.

If meeting rooms become uncomfortable

Meeting rooms often feel comfortable when empty but become warm and stuffy when occupied. This happens because people generate heat, doors remain closed, and ventilation or cooling may not match the room’s actual use.

Possible improvements include:

• testing temperature during meetings;
• reviewing occupancy limits;
• checking supply and return airflow;
• improving ventilation;
• adjusting HVAC scheduling;
• checking whether the room is served by the correct zone;
• reviewing whether sensors are positioned properly;
• reducing heat from screens or AV equipment.

Meeting rooms should be tested under normal use, not only during quiet periods.

If some desks are cold and others are warm

Uneven temperature is one of the most frustrating workplace issues. It often occurs when open-plan spaces have poor zoning, uneven airflow, direct sunlight or workstations placed too close to diffusers.

Possible improvements include:

• comparing readings across different desks;
• reviewing diffuser locations;
• checking air balancing;
• adjusting workstation layout;
• using blinds to reduce solar gain;
• reviewing partition layouts;
• checking whether furniture blocks airflow;
• reviewing thermostat placement.

Testing helps identify whether the issue is localised or affecting the wider office.

If temperature changes throughout the day

Some workplaces are comfortable in the morning but too warm in the afternoon. Others may become too cold later in the day. These changes can be linked to sunlight, occupancy, HVAC schedules, outdoor temperature, equipment use or building control settings.

Possible improvements include:

• logging temperature during normal working hours;
• comparing morning and afternoon readings;
• reviewing HVAC schedules;
• checking whether cooling starts early enough;
• assessing solar gain;
• monitoring high-occupancy periods;
• reviewing building management system settings.

Short spot checks may miss these patterns, so logged data is often more useful.

If employees disagree about the temperature

Temperature comfort is personal. Some employees may feel cold while others feel warm in the same space. Clothing, activity level, desk location, airflow and personal preference all affect comfort.

Possible improvements include:

• checking whether complaints come from specific zones;
• reviewing air movement at affected desks;
• reducing direct drafts;
• improving zoning where possible;
• considering flexible seating arrangements;
• checking whether the temperature is actually within the target range;
• combining temperature data with employee feedback.

The aim is to find practical adjustments that improve comfort for most occupants while keeping the building within suitable conditions.

Why UAE companies should test workplace temperature

Temperature testing is especially valuable in the UAE because buildings experience high external heat, strong sunlight and heavy air-conditioning demand. Even modern offices can have thermal comfort issues if HVAC systems are poorly balanced, zones are not set correctly, or space layouts have changed after fit-out.

Companies should consider temperature testing when:

• employees repeatedly complain about hot or cold areas;
• meeting rooms become uncomfortable during use;
• some zones feel different from others;
• desks are located near AC diffusers or windows;
• an office has recently been fitted out or rearranged;
• HVAC settings are frequently adjusted;
• energy use is high but comfort is still poor;
• humidity or indoor air quality complaints are also present;
• HSE, HR or facilities teams need documented evidence;
• management needs data before approving HVAC improvements.

Temperature testing helps companies move away from guessing. Instead of repeatedly changing thermostat settings, facilities teams can identify where the problem is occurring and what may be causing it.

Temperature testing by RMT in the UAE

RMT provides temperature testing services in the UAE for offices, commercial buildings, clinics, laboratories, schools, warehouses, industrial support areas and other workplaces.

Our testing helps companies assess whether indoor temperatures are suitable, identify hot and cold zones, support HVAC troubleshooting and improve workplace comfort.

For UAE businesses, temperature testing is a practical way to reduce complaints, improve productivity, support facilities management and create more comfortable indoor working conditions.