Saving energy by heating your office effectively
Controlling the temperature in your office is important in making it comfortable for your staff and in turn increases employee satisfaction, productivity and morale.
Here are some energy saving tips when it comes to heating your workplace:
Avoid conflict between heating and air-conditioning
Ensure that you are not simultaneously heating your office with one appliance while cooling it down with air conditioning by another appliance. This is an obvious and serious waste of energy and money.
Avoid using electric heaters
Don't supplement your central heating system with electric heaters. They are expensive to run and upset the balance of a controlled central heating system. If your employees are uncomfortable turn the heating up or, if the problem persists, the central heating system probably deserves some serious attention.
Check the airflows from ventilation systems
Check that the settings are appropriate for your ventilation systems, the airflows should not be excessive and also look out for any blockages that will cause the system to work harder and waste energy.
Direct heat appropriately
Occupied areas don't require the same amount of heating as unoccupied areas such as storerooms. So avoid wasting money by heating areas that don't need it.
Avoid heating the building when unoccupied
You can make big energy savings if you turn your heating off when the building is not occupied (for example over the weekend).
Keep windows and doors closed when the heating is on
Rather than opening a window when you are hot, turn the heating down instead. The colder air from outside makes heaters work harder, wasting more energy.
Maximise the potential of radiators
Make sure that furniture does not obscure heaters or radiators as this reduces their effectiveness. You should design your office space to ensure that the heat from radiators reaches all areas effectively.
Stick to the recommended heating level
The maximum recommended level for heating is 19 degrees celsius, this may seem low but energy costs rise by about 8-10% for each 1 degrees celsius of overheating.
Click on the link to find out how to save energy by lighting your office effectively.
For more Greener Now advice on saving energy and our top tips click here.
