Benefits of Air Conditioning in 3 Very Different Premises

June 14th, 2021

Last updated: October 12th, 2022

There are some benefits to air conditioning that apply to any kind of commercial premises, after all a healthy environment is a productive environment, so any business would benefit from better air quality and a more productive workforce, as well as the energy saving benefits, which are certainly a specified goal for any progressive business.

But the versatility of air conditioning means its benefits are wide-ranging and it can bring value to different types of organisations in different ways. Of course an air conditioning system can provide a comfortable environment for employees, and where applicable, to members of the public too, but it can also create the right environment for materials and equipment.

Modern buildings are constructed with energy efficiency in mind, ie. with triple glazing and better insulation, but these can become too warm in the summer months, and therefore installing air conditioning helps to provide a stable temperature all-year-round.

Most businesses strive for this kind of consistency, and don’t forget, not all buildings are of modern construction, and with one of the biggest variables in mind we are going to look at three types of building where air conditioning is very popular, but for very different reasons.

Why is Air Conditioning Good for Offices?

A lot of us know how it feels when you are sitting in an office trying to get things done and the temperature is soaring. Air conditioning could be the answer. The benefits of air conditioning for offices are:

• Quiet – the noise reduction of air conditioning compared to other systems is a big benefit, particularly in open plan offices where many people share the same space. Fans can be loud and annoying, and aren’t suitable for all environments, plus they don'[t actually lower the temperature.
• Doors/windows – air conditioning allows a business to keep doors and windows closed, which avoids distractions and insect ingress, and helps with energy efficiency. There are plenty of scenarios where you will need the doors to stay closed, and air conditioning stops it from becoming hot and stuffy.
• Versatile – if some offices or rooms are not used for long periods or only occasionally, the system can be adapted to reflect that, hence only using energy exactly where it is needed. A building management system can be used to help with creating sections in your building.
• Strategic – air conditioning units can be placed strategically where they will provide the most benefit, ie. away from internal doors and high transport areas and where heat distribution can be maximised.

Of course, above all of this, the benefits of air conditioning for offices include the fact that employees are likely to be much more productive as the heat doesn’t prevent them from getting on with their work in peace.

Why is Air Conditioning Good for Schools?

Whether a school is newly-built or an older, traditional schools suffer from the problem of big classes at maximum occupancy, so the benefits of air conditioning in a school building are:

• Comfortable – a stable temperature is good for pupils to maintain concentration and learning capacity, particularly at a time when their bodies are changing and a consistent environment is critical.
• Learning demands – maintaining the same all-year-round conditions means teachers are able to provide mentally demanding lessons at any time, and don’t need to make allowances for the hot and stuffy summer months, when learning capacity might be reduced.
• Reduces stress – at an important stage of their education, children are able to learn and concentrate without temperature and environment concerns adding to their stress levels.
• Air quality – clean, filtered air is essential when lots of people are sharing the same space and particularly in a school, where air conditioning can reduce the spread of infections and therefore absenteeism too. We all know that schools are a hotbed for spreading illness, but air conditioning units can help to keep the air clean.

Why is Air Conditioning Good for Warehouses?

Warehouses are becoming increasingly critical to the supply chain, particularly with the shift to e-commerce and the logistics involved in storage and delivery, so what are the benefits here?

• Security – employers are able to keep external doors and windows closed, as much as possible, when air conditioning is in use, to improve the security of materials and equipment. You may have a warehouse environment that you simply can’t risk people entering from the street.
• Performance – where many people are working and lots of manual handling activities are required, maintaining a comfortable temperature is important. Air conditioning can also filter the air of gas fumes from fork truck usage.
• Storage – many warehouses are required to be temperature-controlled for the safe storage of specific materials or equipment, and air conditioning is the best way to achieve this. You can measure the temperature and be sure you are keeping the building at a safe level for the equipment and materials stored within.
• Efficiency – air conditioning is a cheaper system than using gas heating, which is traditionally popular in warehouses.

Getting The Right Air Conditioning System For You

In all these different environments there are specific types of air conditioning design that are more suitable and will bring the most benefits – for example, in a warehouse a cassette type system is better because it pushes the heat downwards where it is most needed and is not simply heating empty space near the roof.

It’s vital that you consider the air conditioning system that will work best for your business premises, from a small office to a huge warehouse. For some businesses, a cool temperature may even be business critical.

You can speak to our experts at Robinsons Facilities Services about the type of air conditioning system that will suit your business. Our accredited and experienced professionals know HVAC systems inside out, and will be able to advise on what will work best for your specific needs. Contact us today.