The Essential Guide to Climate Control – Why Air Conditioning Matters More Than Ever

Climate control has evolved from a luxury to an absolute necessity in today’s changing world.

Whether you’re managing a busy office environment or creating a comfortable home sanctuary, the importance of proper heating and cooling cannot be overstated. At Morrison Sustainable Energy, we understand that effective climate control is about more than just comfort – it’s about health, productivity, and legal compliance.

The Legal Landscape – Your Workplace Temperature Obligations

Bottom line up front – While there’s no specific maximum working temperature in UK law, employers have a legal duty of care to maintain reasonable temperatures and protect employee wellbeing.

Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must provide a “reasonable” temperature in indoor workplaces during working hours. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends a minimum of 16°C for sedentary work, or 13°C if the work involves rigorous physical effort, though there’s no law for minimum or maximum working temperatures.

However, don’t let the absence of specific temperature limits fool you into complacency. Employers must stick to health and safety at work law, including ensuring all workers are entitled to an environment where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Heat is classified as a workplace hazard, and failing to manage temperature effectively can result in serious health and safety breaches.

The landscape is evolving too. MPs are considering implementing a workplace maximum temperature of 30°C as a legal maximum temperature in the workplace in the UK, with 27°C for anyone doing strenuous work. Trade unions have been advocating for these limits, recognising that workers are proven to be less productive in uncomfortable temperatures.

A Changing Climate Demands Adaptive Solutions

The reality check – The UK’s climate is changing faster than many realise, making effective climate control systems more critical than ever before.

Our summers are undeniably getting hotter. All of the UK’s ten warmest years on record have occurred since 2002, and all of the top 10 warmest years for the United Kingdom in records dating back to 1884 have occurred since 2002. Even more concerning, heatwaves, like that of summer 2018, are now 30 times more likely to happen due to climate change.

But here’s where it gets interesting – our winters are also becoming more unpredictable. While UK winters are projected to become warmer and wetter on average, we’re simultaneously experiencing freezing winters and extreme cold snaps. This seemingly contradictory trend occurs because global warming is starting to destabilise the Gulf Stream, which is what makes UK winters generally milder, and can cause the polar vortex to wobble, pushing Arctic weather south for unpredictable cold snaps as well as longer freezing spells.

The data paints a clear picture – the most recent decade (2011-2020) has been on average 0.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1981-2010 average and 1.1C warmer than 1961-1990. Meanwhile, the UK can expect an increase of hot days (where temperatures exceed 25°C), with at least 5 additional hot days per year at a 1.5°C level of global warming and up to 39 additional hot days per year at a 4.0°C level of global warming.

The Morrison Climate Split Unit – Engineered for Every Season

This is precisely why Morrison Sustainable Energy’s split air conditioning units represent such a smart investment. These aren’t just cooling systems – they’re comprehensive climate solutions designed for our unpredictable British weather.

The flexibility factor is game-changing – This is a reversible single split air conditioning unit that provides heating and cooling from the same source; suitable for new installations in residential and small commercial properties. When those unexpected cold snaps hit in what should be spring weather, or when summers suddenly soar beyond comfortable levels, you’re completely covered.

Technical Excellence That Delivers

Morrison Sustainable Energy’s split units aren’t just flexible – they’re incredibly efficient and user-friendly.

Energy Efficiency – This product has an energy efficiency rating of A++ for cooling and A+ for heating making it versatile all year round. With SEER ratings ranging from 6.4 to 7.4 and SCOP ratings from 4.0 to 4.2 across the range, these units deliver exceptional performance while keeping energy costs manageable.

Smart Features – The unit is designed to reduce power consumption with ‘Eco’ mode and ‘Gear’ mode features. The ‘Wind avoid me’ mode adjusts airflow to prevent direct breeze. You can even control from your smartphone using WiFi, making it incredibly convenient to adjust temperatures before you arrive at work or come home.

Health and Comfort – Breathe in clean air with the ‘i-clean’ function that eliminates up to 99% of bacteria. In our post-pandemic world, this air purification capability adds an extra layer of health protection that’s invaluable in both home and workplace settings.

Quiet Operation – With Indoor or outdoor use, the noise levels are reduced to 20 dB(A) when using the ‘Silent’ Mode function. This means you can maintain comfortable temperatures without the distraction of loud mechanical noise, crucial for productive work environments.

Environmental Responsibility – Using R32 refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential of 675 kgCO2eq, these units are designed with environmental considerations in mind, aligning with Morrison Sustainable Energy’s commitment to sustainable solutions.

Why Climate Control Matters Beyond Comfort

Productivity and Performance – Research consistently shows that temperature significantly impacts cognitive function and work performance. When offices become too hot, concentration drops, decision-making suffers, and accident rates increase. Conversely, overly cold environments can reduce dexterity and increase fatigue.

Health Implications – Poor climate control doesn’t just affect comfort, it can impact serious health outcomes. During the summer heatwave of 2003, there were over 2,000 excess deaths over a 10-day period. In a 2006 heatwave, the Government estimated 680 excess deaths. While these are extreme examples, they highlight why proper climate control is fundamentally about protecting people.

Future-Proofing Your Investment – With by 2050, heatwaves like that seen in 2018 expected to happen every other year, installing effective climate control now isn’t just about current comfort, it’s about preparing for the reality of tomorrow’s weather.

Making the Smart Choice for Your Space

Whether you’re retrofitting an existing building or planning a new installation, Morrison Sustainable Energy’s split air conditioning units offer the flexibility and reliability you need. Retrofitting is also possible, meaning you don’t need to wait for a major renovation to upgrade your climate control.

Our newest design delivers the best solution in terms of user comfort and ultra-low energy consumption, ensuring that your investment pays dividends in both comfort and reduced energy costs year after year.

The conversation around workplace temperature is evolving, climate change is accelerating, and the technology to address both challenges effectively is available right now. Morrison Sustainable Energy has engineered solutions that don’t just meet today’s needs, they anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

Ready to take control of your climate?

If you have any questions about how Morrison Sustainable Energy’s split air conditioning units can transform your home or workplace environment, be sure to get in touch with Morrison Sustainable Energy, who will be happy to provide you with a full no-obligation quotation. Don’t wait for the next heatwave or cold snap to catch you unprepared, invest in comfort, productivity, and peace of mind today.