The right approach to using HVAC can elevate your store’s comfort and help retain loyal customers. Read on to learn what you need to do. 

Identify How Comfort Impacts Customer Behavior

Shoppers who feel comfortable will be more likely to linger in your store. They could spend a few extra minutes perusing your inventory and end up making a purchase they didn’t even intend to make when the air quality is good and the temperature feels nice. They also might feel more inclined to return if they had an enjoyable experience. By contrast, customers will be quick to leave if they start sweating or feel chilly in your retail space. 

While temperature matters within a store, so, too, does air quality. Good indoor air quality (IAQ) reduces the likelihood that customers will be bothered by allergies, unpleasant smells, or fluctuating humidity. If a customer feels a scratchy throat or finds the air muggy in your store, they’ll be more interested in leaving sooner rather than later. They might feel depleted energy levels or feel tired while shopping. As a retail leader, you’ll want to be mindful of indoor air quality and work with your facility team to make necessary changes. HVAC career paths involve lots of problem-solving and technical skills, so your facility manager should be prepared to intervene effectively. 

Set Clear Comfort Targets

You’ll want to work with your facilities team to establish comfortable ranges for temperature and humidity levels. You might want to keep temperatures between 67 and 73 degrees, for instance. Or maybe broadening that range by an extra degree or two would be more reasonable. In general, it’s best to keep humidity levels between 30 and 50%. If 30% seems too dry, aim for a range between 40 and 60%. 

In addition, make sure you are monitoring carbon dioxide levels. If levels are too high, guests in your retail space could deal with headaches or dizziness. Use sensors to check levels and make sure you are maintaining adequate ventilation, especially when your store is busy or experiencing the holiday rush. Set alerts if your temperature, humidity, or air quality falls outside a normal range. 

Use a Dashboard to Check IAQ Data

You probably already use a software dashboard to monitor metrics related to your customers’ shopping experiences. You may be checking details like conversion rates and sales revenue. But you can also track your IAQ, humidity, and temperature from the same dashboard. Doing so can help you spot potential links between shifts in IAQ that impact customer dwell time. Maybe your customers aren’t lingering as long during afternoon hours in your store on hot days. In that case, you may need to tweak your AC settings to make your space cooler. 

With the help of sensors, you’ll be able to make more informed changes to your climate control approach. As a result, you’ll be able to enhance comfort and maintain your building more easily. 

Build Loyalty with a More Comfortable Retail Setting

Crafting a more comfortable setting for customers can help create a more loyal clientele. Managing your HVAC system carefully can establish temperature and humidity levels that customers appreciate. If they don’t feel like they’re sweltering or shivering, they might be more likely to stick around. And that can translate to better sales and return visits!