We are being told that the recent hot weather that we have experienced is a sign of things to come. 40°C temperatures are unlike any that we have ever seen before, and are, quite frankly, unbearable for almost everyone. Whilst the extremely hot temperatures have meant more people looking to work from home and avoid public transport, the reality is that we need to adapt to these temperatures, and this includes commercial properties.
Unlike some countries where extreme heat is more commonplace, commercial property in Britain is not designed for these kinds of temperatures – If anything, we are more set up for the cold than the hot. As climate change takes hold, it is important for businesses to look at what they can do to reduce the effects of the extreme heat and make their workplace conditions optimal for effective working.
The easy answer is air conditioning. More and more commercial properties are using air conditioning to cool the air on the inside of the building, but this is not the ideal solution. In a world where we are aiming at trying to reduce the amount of energy that we are using and slow down the effects of climate change, air conditioning is unhelpful – and very expensive.
Some steps can be taken by businesses to help them to cope with the extreme heat that we are expecting to see that do not involve air conditioning, or that can help you to keep your use of air conditioning to a minimum.
Insulation
When we talk about insulation in the UK, it is normally about keeping our buildings warm in the winter and reducing heating bills. However, in addition to keeping the heat in and the cold out, insulation also works in the opposite way in the summer – keeping the cool in, and the heat out.
This means that commercial properties that are well insulated are amongst those that will cope best with the extreme heat.
When it comes to insulating commercial property, the options that are available can vary according to the construction of the building. Some of the possible insulation options include:
- Cavity wall insulation (insulation of the cavity between the two brick layers on the walls)
- External wall insulation
- Floor insulation
- Loft insulation
- Roof insulation
- Double glazing
Building Design
Although many of our commercial properties are existing buildings, it is also essential that new buildings are designed in a way that can help them to cope with the extreme heat. Buildings that are constructed in hot climates are usually built with thick stone or brick walls as these have good insulating properties and small windows.
It is also important to build good ventilation in the building naturally. Allowing the air to circulate can have a massive impact on the temperature of the interior of the building.
Another measure that can be taken involves creating plenty of shade around the building. Planting trees and other vegetation is a great way to do this, not only giving welcome shade to employees but also blocking direct sunlight from the building, reducing the amount of air conditioning that you need.
Building Exterior
One of the major factors that can impact the temperature of the inside of a property, is, ironically, its exterior. There is a reason why many houses and buildings in hot countries are painted white – because it reflects the heat and keeps the building cooler inside than if it were to be a darker colour.
Buildings that are glazed should consider using darkened glazing to reduce the heat that enters the building, or at the least should use blinds to prevent the direct sunlight that can heat the space up.
Some people add plants to the external roof or walls of their building which can not only look lovely, but also act as an extra insulating layer between the sun and the building, creating more shade, and helping to keep the temperature down.
Other Tips
In addition to the building itself, there are also other ways that you can help to keep your commercial property and employees cooler in the extreme heat. Some of these include:
Blinds – Ensure that you have blinds fitted across the windows to prevent the glare and the direct sunlight from coming into the building.
Water and Showering – Ensure that your employees all have adequate access to cold water – and perhaps showering facilities.
Turn Off the Heating – Ensure that your heating is turned off (you will be surprised at how many people leave their heat on even during the summer!).
Fans – Ensure that you have an adequate number of fans for all of your employees.
Clothing – Consider relaxing rules about the acceptable clothing for employees to wear on extremely hot days.
Working Hours – Consider changing your working hours – either to earlier in the day, later in the day, or perhaps with a break during the hottest hours.
Turn Off Appliances – Ensure that machinery and appliances are turned off when they are not in use – they can generate high amounts of unnecessary heat in a workspace.
Solar Panels – If your commercial property is in direct sunlight, consider installing solar panels to generate power and begin to offset your building cooling costs.
Preparation – Ensure that your employees are prepared for the extreme heat and aware of any of the signs of heat stroke and sunstroke.
Final Thoughts
Here at Boxpod, we deal with existing commercial properties, but whether you already have one or are designing a modern-day workspace, ensuring that your building can cope with the extreme heat as well as the cold winter is now essential. Temperature extremes are only likely to get worse and to enable businesses to continue to function, this protection is vital.
Fortunately, one of the best ways that you can protect the building from both the hot and the cold is by insulating it as much as possible.
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