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Almost two thirds (64%) of British office employees regularly find their place of work an uncomfortable temperature, 8% saying that this happens very often (1)
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The temperature oscillations are the biggest problem, 46% saying that their office fluctuates between too hot and too cold (2)
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Energy waste is widespread because 31% report that heating or cooling is left in empty parts and 34% say that windows are open while systems work (3)
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More than 6 out of 10 (62%) think that their workplace wastes energy (4), while 71% think that better temperature control could reduce bills (5)
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Uswitch.com Can help companies reduce costs and improve comfort by providing advice on energy efficiency solutions and more intelligent temperature management.
The offices of the United Kingdom find it difficult to maintain a comfortable working temperature, employees reporting discomfort of generalized discomfort and energy, according to new research Uswitch.
The results show that temperature discomfort remains a current problem in British offices, 64% of workers regularly finding their workplace too hot or too cold. Almost half (46%) say that conditions frequently swing between extremes, while another 23% report of their office is systematically at an uncomfortable end of the scale.
Employees feel the impact
Temperature problems are not only minor irritation. 62% of workers say that this affects their ability to work, 21% saying that this often or very often happens. More than half (55%) admit disputes with colleagues, while many take matters into hand:
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42% wear coats and scarves inside
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34% bring personal fans
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23% use radiators at their office
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23% left early or worked at home due to discomfort
Energy waste is widespread
Bad temperature control does not only affect productivity, it is also waste energy. Almost one in three (31%) say that heating or cooling is often left in empty parts, while almost a quarter (23%) report that it is left overnight. 34% additional admit that the windows are left open while air conditioning or heating work.
Consequently, 62% believe that their workplace is wastes energy on heating and cooling, with almost one in five (16%) saying that it is “a lot”.
Pressure employers to act
While 53% consider the energy management of their employer as good or excellent, a significant proportion (39%) describe efforts as means or poor (9). This despite 71% of employees believing that better temperature control, such as automatic systems, could reduce energy bills, with a quarter (25%) claiming that this would reduce costs “a lot”.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com Comments:
“These results show that uncomfortable office temperatures are a real problem for many workers, affecting the way they feel and how they can do their job. In addition to that, a lot of energy is wasted thanks to ineffective heating and cooling.
“The good news is that small changes, such as upgrading of temperature controls, maintaining well -maintained systems and avoiding heating or cooling of empty spaces can make a large difference for comfort and costs.
“Once companies have taken measures to improve their energy efficiency, they can go even further by finding better energy rates, ensuring that they maximize savings while keeping their workplaces at ease”
