AIR CONDITIONING, COOLING & VENTILATION Air conditioning is a must for hybrid workers
Samsung Climate Solutions has revealed the results of bespoke research which found that although almost two-thirds (64%) of workers in the UK with hybrid working patterns are planning to spend more time in the office in 2023 than in 2022, 66% would be deterred from heading to the office if the air conditioning wasn’t working or was of their opinion low quality
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gainst a backdrop of increased levels of office occupancy from previous years, and temperatures remaining at record levels in the UK, the need for quality climate control
within the working environment will be a key factor for attracting more of those who want to be back with their professional peers in the office.
Among those putting in more days in the office, the difference from 2022 is considerable with the average being 9.2 extra days per month in 2023. This is particularly important to 18 to 24-year-olds of which 81% of those surveyed said they were planning more face- to-face days with their co-workers, highlighting the increasing importance of in person work and collaboration.
Almost half (46%) of those surveyed planned to take advantage of office air conditioning if there is a repeat heatwave this year. It is clear to see how many hybrid workers appreciate a cool working environment as 35% said they go in when the weather is hot to make use of the air conditioning.
Given this demand, the quality of office
environments is more vital than ever. 24% of hybrid workers were not satisfied with their office air conditioning, and of those 40% reported that it is often not functioning properly. Interestingly, almost a third (31%) of hybrid workers who have experienced problems with air conditioning say the problem is cold draughts.
Steve Fleming, head of climate solutions UK
& Ireland, commented: “As the UK adapts to changing working patterns and changing weather patterns, the importance of advanced technology in cooling will only increase. Businesses looking to attract workers into the office on a regular basis will gain significantly from quality climate control technology in the months and years to come. Such technologies include Samsung’s WindFree cooling, which disperses the cool air evenly through an office without the stereotypical cold draughts that people complain about. There is a huge opportunity here to cope with demand as people return to the office to make our
working and social spaces as comfortable as possible.” Furthermore, control systems will have a key role in office comfort. The research reveals that just under half (42%) of hybrid workers in the UK have had a dispute about the air conditioning. A third of respondents (34%) have argued with colleagues about what temperature the room should be set at and just under a quarter (24%) have complained about the temperature going up and down due to people constantly altering it. Interestingly, the most common trigger for the dispute is individuals setting the thermostat to suit themselves (37%). Over half (55%) of hybrid workers say that their offices have a single control system to manage the temperature for the whole working space. Only a third (36%) have systems that allow them to control the temperature by office area and only a quarter of offices have a democratic approach to controlling the temperature in their workspace, allowing each employee to cast an equal vote. However, this progressive approach doesn’t apply everywhere. 15% of respondents stated that in their offices, the boss will be in charge of setting the temperature. As the hybrid working landscape changes, workers are adjusting their lifestyles to best suit their work-life balance, especially as the UK climate changes too. This is changing our expectations of public spaces, from offices to gyms, as more than half (57%) of hybrid workers in the UK (rising to almost two thirds (62%) among women) would avoid a gym where the air conditioning wasn’t up to their
standard. Almost a half (45%) say they’d avoid a restaurant or pub with a similar problem and almost a quarter (24%) would side-step a shop. Building cloud management services, such as Samsung’s
b.IoT interface which allow remote, zoned control for commercial buildings, will enable companies to manage office environments for the benefit of all employees. Technology is rapidly advancing to best suit the needs and demands of the changing climate and this data illustrates the importance of climate control for the modern hybrid worker.
Split systems in studio spotlight
Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK has supplied climate control equipment to keep the workforce comfortable during construction of the £700million Sunset Waltham Cross Studios in Hertfordshire.
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he development is intended to attract globally recognised film, TV and media brands to the area, along with an ambition to create 4,800 new jobs. The complex is due for completion in 2026 and will feature 21 sound stages with ancillary workshops, offices and amenities. The project represents Blackstone and Hudson Pacific’s first venture outside of the US for its jointly- owned Sunset Studios. Located on a 91-acre site close to junction 25 of the M25, it is aiming for LEED Gold certification and a BREEAM Excellent rating. To date, 82 split air conditioning systems have been sized by Cool Designs Limited (CDL) and installed by London-based Citipost Power in site offices for the contracts teams. The wall-mounted units, with capacities ranging from 2.5-7.1kW, operate on low GWP R32 refrigerant and offer indoor noise levels as low as 22 dB(A). A further 20 split systems will be required for additional site offices as the project grows. Stephen Hodges, director at Citipost Power, said: “It’s great to be involved with such a prestigious project and we are looking forward to seeing its completion. Sometimes taking care of the workforce on site is overlooked but this project means that the environment in the cabins will be comfortable all year round.” Lloyd Grimes of CDL added: “ We have worked with Fujitsu for a long time and we know that the products provide a hassle-free solution that operate in the most gruelling environments. The equipment is easy to specify, install and operate with no complications for the end user.”
28 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2023 Read the latest at:
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