HVAC A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
All workplaces need some sort of HVAC system, and with an increasing number of people returning to office life, what impact has the rise of home working had on the implementation of these systems? Mandatory working from home was with us for a short time, but the effects could be around for the long haul.
For a lot of people, working from home was at the very least an interesting experience, and for every person happy to forgo the dreaded morning commute, there was somebody else counting down the days until they could return to work. The impact home working has had however, has been strong enough for the government to look into a proposal that would make flexible working a right all employees can ask for.
For office workers, the new normal is often referred to as a hybrid way of working. With many employers taking this approach, it involves keeping the number of people in work at any one time down by implementing a mix of office and home working.
Regardless of where you are working, you still want, and need, to be working in an environment that is heated or cooled appropriately as well as being well ventilated. The benefits of comfortable working conditions have long been priorities for employers, but many of us can draw on our own experiences as well, with it much easier to concentrate when you are not too hot or too cold. It should be that easy, but not every organisation gets it right.
Flexibility and efficiency With fewer people at work at any one time, HVAC systems need to become far more versatile and customisable. With regular shift patterns previously making it easier to implement a robust, reliable and effective HVAC system, with organisations guaranteed a near capacity workforce each day. Now whole floors, rooms or sections could be virtually empty one day and full the next.
What organisations need are HVAC systems that are extremely energy efficient and also have the software and capabilities to be easily controlled by staff. They need systems that can be automated if necessary and where the temperature can be zoned and controlled in the areas in use.
HVAC installations are getting smarter, allowing them to use sensors to collect information seamlessly and automatically to maintain efficient systems. They can even work with a building management system (BMS), ensuring that ventilation is only supplied when and where it is needed through wireless handheld devices.
Mark Goldsworthy, Operations Director at Eco UK Group, discusses the changing requirements brought on by home working and the most important things to consider for effective HVAC installations.
Office’s heating impact on global heating Of course, the impact of home working aside, another key reason we need efficient HVAC systems is because of the potential impact inefficient systems can have on the environment. Even the most efficient HVAC systems account for a large portion of the energy consumption, therefore the prospect of systems running in unoccupied areas should give us all pause for thought. With net zero on the horizon, intelligent, efficient systems that reduce a building or a company’s carbon emissions are a must.
With high temperatures now occurring more regularly and the cold snaps getting colder, we rely on HVAC systems to achieve comfortable working conditions. It’s therefore important companies install the best, most energy efficient systems to try and help minimise the impact on our environment.
A good and well observed maintenance routine is one thing that can really help keep system efficiency high. With some basic training and regular checks, organisations can keep their HVAC working smoothly and efficiently. As the return to work picks up speed, managers need to reinstate regular maintenance - it will certainly save organisations money by preventing breakdowns as systems adapt back to regular working, but it will also help ensure efficiency and minimise emissions.
Is working from home bad for the environment? One other thing to consider is the potential impact of home HVAC systems, with many people discovering that their home setups are not ideal during either very hot or very cold weather.
Because our homes are under equipped, working away from our workplace could be seen as potentially having a negative impact for the environment - albeit one countered by a reduction in travel. It’s much more efficient for one building to have a HVAC system that serves an entire workforce of potentially many companies, than having multiple isolated HVAC around thousands of employee homes.
Regardless, the rise of home working has conversely put a greater demand on office HVAC systems to be efficient, reliable, and easy to maintain and adjust. And of course, the fact that combination of those qualities also help to make HVAC systems more sustainable and better for the environment is a much needed added bonus.
https://ecoukgroup.com/ 48 | TOMORROW’S FM
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