Setting Up a Home Workspace That Copes With Heat and Humidity

A workspace in a hot, humid climate works best when you control three things: where the heat comes from, how air moves past you and your laptop, and what happens when the power or internet drops. You do not need expensive gear for this. Most of it comes down to where you place the desk and a few habits. This guide is for freelancers and remote employees working from a tropical or very warm place, whether at home or in a rented room.

Why does a hot room hurt your work?

Heat wears you down before you notice it. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health explains that people working in hot environments can experience heat stress, as covered on its heat stress overview. An office desk is a milder setting than a construction site, but the same idea applies: if you feel drained, headachy or unusually irritable at your desk, the room may be the cause. If you feel unwell in the heat, stop working, cool down and see a doctor if it does not pass.

Where should you put the desk?

Pick the coolest room that has a decent connection, not the room with the nicest view.

• Keep the desk away from windows that get direct afternoon sun.
• Do not put the desk next to a kitchen, a dryer or any other source of heat.
• Place it where a fan or air conditioner can move air across you, but not point cold air straight at your neck and shoulders.
• Leave space behind the laptop so its vents are never blocked.

How do you keep a laptop cool?

Laptops get hot when they work hard and when air cannot circulate. Raise the laptop on a stand so air can reach the underside, and never use it on a bed or sofa cushion that covers the vents. Close tabs and programs you are not using, and keep dust out of the vents with regular gentle cleaning. If the fan runs loudly all day, move the machine to a cooler spot before assuming something is broken.

A stand also helps your posture. Put the screen at eye level and use a separate keyboard, as described in our post on a portable home office kit.

How can you stay comfortable without freezing?

• Time your hardest work. Schedule focused tasks for the cooler hours of the day and leave email and admin for the warmest hours.
• Drink water at the desk, and keep a bottle within reach.
• Dress for the room. Light, breathable clothes help a lot. Keep a thin layer nearby if you work somewhere with strong air conditioning.
• Take short breaks away from the screen, ideally somewhere shaded or cooler.

What if the power or internet fails?

Storms and heavy demand on the grid can interrupt both. Plan for it before it happens.

1. Use a surge-protected power strip for your laptop and router.
2. Keep your laptop charged before storms, and save work often or use an app that saves automatically.
3. Have a backup connection, such as your phone's hotspot, and know how much mobile data you can use.
4. Know a nearby coworking space or cafe where you can go if your home connection stays down.

Our guide to reliable internet for remote workers goes further on router placement and troubleshooting.

When is a coworking space worth it?

If your home is too hot, too noisy or has an unreliable connection, a coworking space may be the practical fix. Compare a few before you commit, test their connection at your own desk, and start with a day pass. We cover that process in how coworking spaces support working and hosting. Contact the space directly for current prices and hours.

What is a good starting routine?

Start with the desk position and a laptop stand, since those cost little and change the most. Add a surge-protected strip and a backup connection next. After a week, note when you feel most tired and adjust your schedule around it.