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7 Mistakes to Avoid when Heating Your Business Premises this Winter
It happens every year – summer fades to autumn, and suddenly, business owners and homeowners alike are struck with the question, “Should I put the heating on yet?”. It can be particularly difficult for business owners that manage huge spaces because heating such a large place can be highly expensive! To keep your business warm while ensuring the cost doesn’t blow the budget, avoid these seven mistakes.
1. Not Preventing Heat Loss
Many businesses lose money because they don’t think about how much heat is lost through windows and doors. Rather than sticking the heating on high 24/7, it’s best to address the root issue. That might mean closing windows and doors more often, or it may mean replacing older windows and doors that let too much heat escape.
2. Leaving the Heating on
Does everyone clock out by 6 p.m.? While you want to keep the business running at a comfortable temperature, leaving it on while no one is around isn’t a good idea, as it will only cost you more money. Instead, set a timer for the heating to go on an hour before people get to work so that you save energy while ensuring nobody suffers from the cold!
3. Using Too Many Portable Heaters
Portable heaters are great for heating a small area. If one room is already warm, but another needs a bit of a temperature boost, they can work well. However, these small heaters will greatly increase the heating bill over time, especially when using them too much. It’s always better to heat the whole room by keeping the thermostat at a reasonable temperature.
4. Avoiding Smart Thermostats
Some business owners avoid investing in the latest technology through fear of change. Don’t be that person! Installing a smart thermostat isn’t that difficult, and doing so gives you far more control over the heating. It will even let you analyse heating costs for better budgeting.
5. Ignoring Old Radiators
Is your business in an old building? If so, there’s a high chance your radiators are a little tired. If your radiators leak or overheat, that’s a definite sign it’s time to get new ones. Think of it as an opportunity to breathe new life into the space! These days, there are several amazing radiator designs—like column radiators—that maximise the utilisation of available space. With a column radiator, you can improve the room’s layout while conserving space, making it possible to replace the large radiator with an additional shelf or desk.
6. Closing Curtains/Blinds
You’d be surprised how much natural light can heat a space – even in the winter. You might not think it’s worth opening all the curtains and blinds on winter days, but it is. Even that hour of midday sunshine can make a difference! Plus, natural light can help boost people’s mood.
7. Not Turning the Heating On
Are you trying to save as much money as possible on heating? While it might be tempting to tell everyone to put on another jumper, this can come back to bite you. Although you can time the heating system strategically, turning it off completely will make your workers less productive because they’ll be too cold and could even damage your pipes. It isn’t worthwhile!
