There are three things that make running a heating system in a commercial property tricky and even expensive: the large size of the building in question, the number of people populating the building at any given time and the varying purpose of the building (which may have offices, kitchens, sleeping quarters etc.) all requiring different levels of heat.

As winter approaches, commercial buildings will want to be efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective in their energy use. There are some practical ways to do this:

• Understand your heating system and how it works, which will inform whether or not the heating system in place suits the size of the property.
• A thermostat will ensure a consistent temperature, keeping everything comfortable without fiddling with settings all day. Position thermostats carefully – not next to doors or windows – to ensure accurate readings.
• Use timers to heat rooms only when needed (understanding that different parts of the building will have different heating requirements), which will ensure the correct temperature in each room.
• Service boilers annually so as to ensure optimal functioning.
• Eliminate draughts! Up to 15 per cent of energy lost from a building escapes through gaps in doors and windows, which equates to up to 15 per cent of the money spent on heating going out the door.
• Use natural resources to heat the premises – like sunlight (big windows, open blinds) and close blinds to keep heat in when sun has gone down.
• Partition a big office space into smaller spaces to deflect and capture heat.
• One system may not be the best option for a multipurpose building, in which case a range of smaller systems might work better. Installation could be expensive but cheaper in the long-term.

Above all else, system maintenance is essential! For all your energy related questions, feel free to contact the CH Systems team on 0208 302 8149 or info@chsystems.cc.

Sources: Villageheating.co.uk; Robinsonsmea.com