As the warmer months roll back around, many of us will be daydreaming about sun, sea and relaxation. Spirits are lifted, tan lines are back and a blind eye is turned to a pre-five o’clock tipple in the garden. Summer is all sunshine and rainbows, isn’t it? Well yes, and no. For businesses up and down the country, summer presents a multitude of seasonal obstacles.
Whether you run a restaurant, manage an office or head a busy kitchen, warm weather can cause a number of problems. Sure, the glorious sun may encourage more foot traffic or put employees in better moods, but it can also lead to uncomfortable working conditions and less-than-hygienic storage environments. In order to truly beat the heat, it is crucial that businesses have the correct measures in place.
When it comes to productivity, employee welfare, hygiene and safety, maintaining a suitable climate is essential. Though this may seem somewhat impossible at first, you’ll be pleased to find out that with the right equipment and a little know-how, your business can stay cool through summer.
Here at Mitchell’s, we’re known for our high-quality air conditioning and commercial refrigeration services. With over 100 years of industry operation it’s safe to say that, when it comes to keeping businesses cool, we know what we’re doing.
Read on to discover our complete guide to keeping your business cool and comfortable throughout the warm summer months.
Keeping Employees Cool
As any business owner or manager will understand, employee wellbeing is always the number one priority. Sure, reputation, profits and efficiency are all important, but without your hardworking employees, none of it would be possible.
For this reason, making sure that employees, visitors and customers are comfortable is a must. Not only will it benefit efficiency and productivity, but it will also ensure that your business complies with all workplace temperature regulations. Below, we’ll discuss a few tried and tested methods to keep employee working conditions cool and comfortable.
Air Conditioning
First and foremost, air conditioning is arguably the most important means of temperature regulation within any workplace or indoor environment. Whether it’s a restaurant jam-packed with diners or an office full of whirring computers and employees, it doesn’t take long for a business to heat up. What’s more, according to UK law, employers have a duty to maintain a comfortable workplace temperature and provide clean, fresh air.
In order to maintain clean air and a comfortable working temperature, air conditioning systems are essential. These units work by removing warm air from a space and pumping it outside, while the cool air is recirculated to reduce the internal temperature.
Here at Mitchell’s, we possess the experience, skills and expertise to design and install high-quality, bespoke air conditioning systems to meet your requirements. With efficiency and adaptability at the heart of our work, your business is sure to benefit from our premium air conditioning design, maintenance after-care services.
Not only can we design and install your brand new HVAC or cooling system, but we can also develop systems that give users complete and precise control over the working environment, including temperature and humidity. Whether you’re looking to cool an office, restaurant, warehouse or computer suite, we’re here to help.
Water Coolers & Ice
Of course, ensuring that a working environment is a comfortable temperature is the best way to beat external heat, but this isn’t the only way to keep employees cool. As we all know, adequate hydration is crucial in any circumstance; this is no different when it comes to workplaces. Studies have shown that even the slightest levels of dehydration can decrease productivity by as much as 25%, not to mention the multiple health risks associated with a lack of water.
For these reasons, providing employees with fresh, cool water is essential. Whether it is bottled, from a cooler or comes from a tap, a supply of fresh water will help individuals to stay hydrated and feel their best.
Windows & Shade
Moreover, it’s all well and good providing air conditioning and water, but without adequate window coverings and shade, direct sunlight can cause just as many issues. Within any office or work setting, it is important to make sure that there is appropriate protection from direct sunlight. Not only will this protect equipment, technology, stock and furnishings, but it will prevent the space from overheating.
During the summer, it is tempting to crack a window as the sun is high in the sky, but this isn’t always the best choice. An open window can actually allow warm air to enter an office or dining area, causing the air conditioning to work overtime and costing you money. Sure, letting cool air in during the morning won’t do any harm, but it’s certainly worth keeping windows closed during the hottest hours of the day.
Kitchens & Refrigeration
Now we’ve covered a few tried and tested methods for keeping working conditions cool and comfortable, let’s take a look at a few refrigeration solutions. For businesses that rely on refrigeration and cold storage, such as kitchens and restaurants, ensuring stock is kept at a hygienic temperature is absolutely vital.
Below, we’ll run through the basics of commercial refrigeration, explaining the ways in which you can beat the summer heat and keep temperature sensitive stock safe.
Commercial Refrigeration
As mentioned above, high-quality commercial refrigeration is essential for many businesses. According to UK food standard regulations, the coldest part of the fridge should be between 0 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit and 41 degrees Fahrenheit). In order to maintain these temperatures on a large scale, commercial refrigeration is a must.
Whether you require large walk-in refrigeration units, supermarket systems, or product display refrigerators, the team at Mitchell’s is here to help. We’re proud to offer reliable commercial refrigeration services to businesses across Gloucester and possess a wealth of experience within the restaurant and retail sectors.
Defrosting & Cleaning
With the installation of high-quality commercial refrigeration taken care of, it’s tempting to sit back. If you truly want to beat a heatwave though, it’s worth staying one step ahead. Before the warmer months take full effect, it’s a good idea to defrost your fridges and commercial cooling units. This should help them to reach their optimum temperature with greater ease and efficiency when the heat finally arrives.
Additionally, it’s always a good idea to properly clean filters and shelving in preparation for the warmer weather. Blocked air filters and ventilation systems can have detrimental effects on the efficacy of refrigerators, so keeping them clear is a must throughout summer. Fortunately, this isn’t too tricky and, as we’ll touch upon below, Mitchell’s are always here to help.
Servicing & Maintenance
Following on from the above point regarding filters, it is vital that commercial refrigeration equipment is properly serviced and maintained. Failing to keep such units in good working order could lead to breakdowns or prevent them from regulating a suitable temperature. Such instances are not only inconvenient and costly, but they can also lead to serious hygiene problems and cause businesses to close their doors.
Here at Mitchell’s, we’re proud to lend our skills to clients across Gloucester. No job is too large or small; we work with businesses of all sizes and can also assist with the installation of commercial refrigeration systems as part of a larger building or construction plan, aiming to minimise the impact of our installation on your construction timeline.
Mitchell’s: Your Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Experts
Whether you’re looking to keep an office cool, beat the heat in a restaurant or maintain hygienic food storage solutions, Mitchell’s are here to help. With over 100 years of experience in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry, we aim to deliver consistent excellence to each and every one of our customers.
If you’re searching for AC servicing Gloucester, heating or refrigeration systems, or simply require repair and maintenance work, don’t hesitate to contact us.