Like many new Oxygen Not Included (ONI) players, my initial attempts at base management were a bit of a thermal disaster. My first colony quickly overheated – a rookie mistake involving placing vital systems too close together. Then, I discovered the power of ice biomes and cooling loops, which seemed to solve the problem, perhaps a little too well. Now, armed with aquatuners and steam turbines, I’m cooling everything, everywhere. But is it necessary? Do I really need to keep my printing pod at a crisp 20°C (68°F)? I know certain machinery demands dedicated cooling, but what about living spaces like barracks, bathrooms, great halls, and even general industrial zones? What Temperature is ideal for these areas in ONI?
While constructing everything from gold for its high overheat temperature of 125°C (257°F) is an option, the resulting steam-filled base and burst pipes hardly seem practical. For critters, I understand there’s a comfortable and livable temperature range, though comfort might be secondary to survival. If I maintain a base temperature below 70°C (158°F), will critters thrive, and will I avoid the dreaded steam explosions and pipe failures?
I’m aware that a 70°C base will hinder the growth of many crops; bristle blossoms, for instance, prefer a cooler 5°C to 30°C (41°F to 86°F) range. However, I can always insulate and cool my farms separately. My main concern is my duplicants (dupes). I want to avoid forcing them to wear atmosuits constantly. Will working, relaxing, and sleeping in 70°C heat lead to heatstroke or scalding? I’m unsure of the exact temperature thresholds for these negative effects. Perhaps raiding a few ice biomes for wheezeworts would naturally keep most areas comfortably below 70°C anyway.
I’m also familiar with harnessing steam turbines to generate power from cooling superheated materials above 125°C. And I know specialized cooling is crucial for processes like sour gas and liquid oxygen/hydrogen production, as well as for machinery like glass forges, polymer presses, and metal refineries.
So, the core question remains: is it acceptable to focus cooling efforts solely on farms and heat-sensitive machinery, allowing the rest of my ONI base to drift up to 70°C? What are the recommended temperatures for different zones to ensure dupe comfort, critter well-being, and overall base stability without excessive cooling infrastructure?
