COMMERCIAL CASE STUDY
Engineering Office - IAQ & Comfort Improvement Case Study | Pensacola
Improving Comfort in a Damp, Overcooled Office Environment.
Humidity Challenges in the Building
This project involved a commercial office building with an open floor plan, perimeter offices, and a dedicated computer equipment room. Despite having a properly functioning HVAC system, the space was consistently cold, clammy, and uncomfortable for occupants.
Employees reported overcooling, difficulty maintaining comfort, and a persistent damp feeling throughout the building—especially in shared work areas.
Southern Climate Solutions was engaged to evaluate the building and develop an independent moisture control strategy.
Measured Performance Results After Installation
Humidity Reduction
Indoor humidty dropped from 73.9% to 46.4% after installation of the independent dehumidification solution.
Office Temperature
After stabilizing humidity, the temperature was raised to an average of 73°F – up from 69.5°F. A cool, dry space resulted.
Comfort Result
Indoor comfort was dramatically improved after humidity and temperature were stabilized. Employees reported 100% satisfaction.
Building Overview
The office environment is an open floor plan designed to support collaboration and efficient workflow, with workstations occupying the central space. Around the perimeter, enclosed private offices provide quiet areas for meetings, focused work, and management functions.
A small computer hub or server room is located within the space to support network infrastructure and data management.
Because of the combination of open workspace, enclosed offices, and an equipment room, maintaining consistent temperature and humidity levels throughout the space was challenging-particularly in the high-humidity Gulf Coast location.
Property Details
Building Type: Commercial Office Building
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Building Height: 1 Story
Primary Issue: High humidity and inconsistent temperature and damp feeling.
Existing HVAC: Standard, fitted for building.
The Problem: Cold Air, High Humidity
Although the HVAC system was operating as designed, it was unable to effectively control indoor humidity levels. As a result, the system overcooled the space in an attempt to manage moisture, driving temperatures down without resolving the underlying issue.
This created an environment that felt cold but still humid—one of the most common and frustrating conditions in commercial office spaces.
- Indoor temperature consistently around 69°F
- Elevated humidity levels, 70%+ creating a damp, clammy feel
- Occupant discomfort and complaints
- HVAC system running without achieving proper balance
Why the HVAC System Couldn’t Solve the Problem
Traditional HVAC systems are designed to regulate temperature—not remove large amounts of moisture. In this office environment, humidity levels remained high even as the system continued to cool the space.
This led to overcooling without proper dehumidification, resulting in poor comfort conditions and inefficient system performance.
The Solution: Custom-Designed Commercial Dehumidification System
Southern Climate Solutions installed a dedicated, engineered commercial dehumidification system designed to control moisture independently of the HVAC system.
By removing excess humidity at the source, the system allowed the HVAC equipment to operate more efficiently and maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature.
Measured Results
Humidity Reduction
Decreased 27% to a comfortable 46.4%.
Temperature Adjustment
Increased from 69°F to 73°Fafter damp air was removed form the space.
Comfort Improvement
Eliminated cold, clammy conditions
System Performance
Reduced HVAC overcooling and improved balance.
Improved Comfort & Building Performance
Following installation, the office environment became noticeably more comfortable. By lowering humidity levels, the space no longer required excessive cooling to feel tolerable.
Occupants experienced a warmer, drier, and more stable indoor environment, while the HVAC system was able to operate as intended—maintaining temperature without overcompensating for moisture.
Key Takeaway
A cold office is not always a cooling problem—it’s often a humidity problem.
By addressing moisture directly, this project demonstrates how proper dehumidification can improve comfort, stabilize indoor conditions, and reduce the need for overcooling in commercial office environments.
Experiencing a Cold, Uncomfortable Office?
If your building feels cold but still humid, your HVAC system may be working against a moisture problem. We design engineered dehumidification systems that solve the issue at its source.