# Is Your Tech Room Temperature-Controlled?
Your office technology needs consistent care year-round, and temperature control plays a critical role in protecting your investment. While most offices maintain comfortable temperatures during business hours, what happens after everyone goes home can make or break your equipment's longevity.
## The After-Hours Challenge
Most facilities reduce air conditioning to passive settings outside working hours to save energy costs. This practice makes financial sense but can create hostile environments for sensitive electronics. Your servers, desktops, and networking equipment don't get to clock out at 5 PM—they need protection around the clock.
## Keep Hardware Off the Ground
Elevation matters more than you might think. Equipment placed directly on floors faces multiple risks:
- **Reduced ventilation** from poor air circulation at ground level - **Temperature extremes** as cold air settles and heat rises - **Physical damage** from foot traffic, cleaning equipment, or accidental impacts - **Water damage** from pipe leaks, HVAC condensation, or flooding
Instead, position servers and desktop computers on dedicated, ventilated shelving systems. This simple change dramatically improves airflow and provides a buffer against potential water damage.
## Establish Safe Temperature Minimums
While building codes typically require minimum temperatures to prevent pipe freezing, these standards may not adequately protect your technology. Electronics have specific temperature requirements that often exceed basic building maintenance levels.
Cold temperatures can: - Reduce battery performance and lifespan - Cause condensation when equipment transitions from cold storage to warm operation - Damage internal components through thermal stress - Create brittleness in cables and connections
## Protecting Your Investment
Consider your technology infrastructure as sensitive as any other critical business asset. Develop protocols that include:
- **Temperature monitoring** in equipment areas - **Proper ventilation** around all hardware - **Emergency shutdown procedures** for extreme weather events - **Regular maintenance schedules** that account for seasonal changes
Your electronics are often more vulnerable to temperature fluctuations than your building's structural elements. A proactive approach to environmental controls protects both your equipment and your business continuity.
Remember: the cost of prevention is always less than the price of replacement.
