Ambient temperature is a term which refers to the temperature in a room, or the temperature which surrounds an object under discussion. Ambient temperatures play a major role in personal comfort, as well as the function of many types of machines and equipment, and various methods can be used to control ambient temperature. Usually, control methods are designed to keep the temperature stable, as temperature fluctuations can cause discomfort.
In the sense of a temperature of a room, ambient temperature is influenced by a number of factors, including the weather outside, the quality of the insulation in the room, what or who is inside the room, and the use of heating and cooling systems. For example, a room with a lot of computers will be warm, because of the heat generated by the computers, and a room full of humans or other mammals will also have a warm ambient temperature as a result of body heat. Ambient temperature can also be affected by humidity, with humid conditions feeling warmer to most people.
In many settings, people aim to achieve “room temperature,” a fairly neutral range of temperatures at which most people feel comfortable. Depending on where in the world one is, normal room temperatures can vary from 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 25 degrees Celsius). Homes and businesses are often kept at room temperature, and in climate controlled storage facilities, warehouses, and similar structures, the climate control system may also maintain the ambient temperature within this range to ensure comfort and prevent objects in storage from becoming damaged.
In facilities where maintaining a stable ambient temperature is important, temperature sensors may be used to allow people to keep track of temperatures, ensuring that they do not stray beyond the desired range. These sensors can also be linked to alarms which send alerts when temperatures fluctuate. Security alarms can also utilize ambient temperature in their operations, looking for variations in the ambient temperature which indicate the presence of a person where one is not supposed to be.
People can also refer to “ambient temperature” when discussing the temperature of the air which surrounds a specific object. The temperature in a room and the temperature around objects in that room can vary significantly, making this distinction important for temperature-sensitive objects. In these cases, additional heating or cooling measures may be needed to protect a particular object from damage as a result of temperature extremes.
By Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All The Science researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.