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Building

Apply sustainable solution for heating the workplace

Objectives

Green Value indicator

Building design, materials and construction have a large influence on heating and cooling in buildings, in 2015 they represented up to 3.5 GtCO2 of emissions from buildings. In this context, choices in building investments and embracing some good practice may influence building energy demand and emissions for decades or more. Thus, the energy-efficient and low-carbon heating and cooling technology investments would reduce final energy demand in buildings by 25 % over current levels.
Green Value indicators: CO2 savings; Eco footprint; energy intensity; water abstraction rates and water stress; SPI: Sustainable Process Index;
EGSS: Economic performance of the Environmental Goods and Services Sector. Resource Productivity + Material Productivity

Explanation

Worldwide, heat is responsible for almost half of all energy consumption and 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Depending on the location these numbers tend to be a far bigger proportion. According to United Nations Environment Programme data, space heating accounts for nearly 30% of buildings-related carbon emissions. The climate projections indicate a growth of global temperatures which may lead to loss of jobs and productivity, but also may intensify the phenomenon of "heat stress"?, that refers to heat received in excess of that which the body can tolerate without suffering physiological impairment. The combined effect of environmental and internal heat stress on the body may affect the human health and wellbeing. Thus, temperatures above 24–26°C are associated with reduced labour productivity, and at 33–34°C, a worker operating at moderate work intensity loses 50 per cent of their work capacity.
Moreover, thermal discomfort is a risk and it is an issue for the employees, so it is necessary to implement controls to manage the risks, such as: monitoring the thermal conditions in the workplace and adopt working habits and review periodically current practices. In summary, the main goal is to provide a comfortable work environment for the employees, using a cost-effective equipment or adopt effective measures to heat the workplace (or even cool). Therefore, identifying effective, affordable, feasible and sustainable solutions to mitigate the negative effects on worker health and productivity.

The thermal comfort defines a person's state of mind in terms of whether they feel too hot or too cold. Managers should consider in their projects the possible effects of temperature in their workplace, as it depends on whether it is indoors or outdoors and the normal operating temperature of that environment. Proactive behaviour is part of every business strategy, in order to prevent employees from suffering of heat/cold stress disorder and requiring time away from work.
Therefore, with the use of the right equipment and adoption of sustainable solutions, they may create and maintain a safe and comfortable work environment even in the warmest weather.
For instance, the use of High-volume, low-speed fans (HVLS) are one viable solution. The HVLS moves the air, which in turn cools the environment and makes employees feel more comfortable. Additionally, the use of small scale renewable sources provides a source of heat in buildings (for heating, cooling, cooking, and appliances) and construction materials (e.g. to enable greater thermal comfort). This practice is aimed at space heating, some measures may also be applied in the case of cooling the environment. Moreover, under cold conditions, other measures should be applied: reducing cold exposure by designing processes which reduce exposure to cold areas and cold products; reducing draughts; providing insulating floor coverings or special footwear when employees have to stand for long periods on cold floors.

PROS/CONS of the action

Pros: Cons:

Certified

International Organisation for Standardisation:

Link to useful sources

Managing workplace temperature
Thermal comfort checklist
Work place health, safety and welfare: A short guide for managers
Heating in the Workplace Guide
Top tips to save this winter
UN Environment and International Energy Agency (2017): Towards a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector. Global Status Report 2017
Vivid Economics& Imperial College, International Comparisons of Heating, Cooling and Heat Decarbonisation Policies, report prepared forthe Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy,November2017
Working on a warmer planet: The impact of heat stress on labour productivity and decent workInternational Labour Office – Geneva, ILO, 2019
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