United Kingdom
Ireland
The Netherlands
Belgium
Italy
Germany
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Middle East
Saudi Arabia
Bahrain
Oman
Kuwait
Qatar
When the next heatwave strikes, will your workplace be ready – or will your people, customers, and equipment be left struggling in the heat? Across the UK, thousands of commercial buildings face the same problem: they were never designed for the kind of prolonged, intense heatwaves we now see almost every summer. Effective workplace cooling during UK heatwaves is no longer a seasonal luxury – it’s what keeps your staff productive, your equipment running, and your business operational when temperatures rise.
In this blog, we’ll explore why so many UK workplaces overheat during the summer, and how temporary cooling hire with Andrews Air Conditioning provides a fast and flexible fix when your building can’t cope.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) doesn’t set a legal maximum workplace temperature in the UK, but it does require employers to maintain a “reasonable” temperature under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
During recent UK heatwaves, including the 40.3°C record broken in July 2022, indoor temperatures in air-conditioned office environments can remain uncomfortably high, particularly in heavily glazed, densely occupied or poorly ventilated buildings. At those levels, cognitive performance drops measurably, and the risk of heat exhaustion rises.
What is the UK’s Heatwave Problem?
- Many older buildings were designed to retain heat, not deflect it
Older buildings prioritise keeping warmth in during winter, but this backfires in summer. With thick walls, limited ventilation, and outdated systems, these buildings trap heat, creating stuffy and uncomfortable environments that are difficult to cool down.
Unlike other climates, UK commercial buildings rarely include permanent AC as standard. Many workplaces rely on opening windows or small fans, which are no match for modern heatwaves.
- Glass-heavy, insulated buildings create “oven” conditions
Modern energy-efficient buildings with large glass façades and heavy insulation perform well in winter but turn into heat traps in the summer, especially when exposed to direct sunlight.
- Heatwaves are becoming longer and hotter
The UK recorded its first temperature above 40°C in 2022, while 2025 became the country’s warmest and sunniest year on record. The Met Office expects extreme heat events to become more frequent, longer-lasting, and more intense.
Why Indoor Temperatures Can Remain High Overnight
Buildings absorb heat throughout the day and release it slowly after outdoor temperatures begin to fall. This stored heat can leave offices, classrooms, retail spaces, and industrial premises uncomfortably warm the following morning.
The problem becomes more severe during consecutive hot days because the building has less time to cool between temperature peaks. Night-time ventilation may help where it can be used safely, but heavily glazed, densely occupied, or poorly ventilated premises may require mechanical or temporary cooling.
What is the Impact on Businesses?
| Overheating staff | Studies show that heat reduces concentration, increases fatigue, and slows reaction times, which is bad news for productivity and staff wellbeing. Uncomfortably hot conditions can also lead to sick days or early finishes. |
| Critical equipment faces heat-related risks | IT server rooms, refrigeration units, and stock storage areas are sensitive to temperature rises. Without adequate cooling, overheating can lead to downtime, damage, and costly repairs. |
| Customer experience suffers | Heat drives customers away from overheated shops, restaurants, gyms, and salons. No one lingers when the environment is stifling. |
| Health and safety obligations under HSE guidance | Businesses have a legal duty to maintain reasonable workplace temperatures. Prolonged heat risks breaching these standards and damaging your duty of care. |
What Does UK Workplace Temperature Guidance Require?
UK law does not specify a maximum workplace temperature because acceptable conditions depend on the work being carried out and the surrounding environment. However, employers must maintain a reasonable indoor temperature, provide clean and fresh air, and assess risks where excessive heat could affect workers.
Temperature alone does not determine heat risk. Humidity, air movement, physical workload, protective clothing, age, and medical conditions can all affect how employees respond. HSE guidance identifies fans and air conditioning among the engineering measures employers can consider.
Why Permanent AC Isn’t Always the Answer
Permanent air conditioning might seem like the answer, but for many businesses, it isn’t practical. Installation costs are high, and the disruption from planning permission and building works can be significant – especially when systems are only needed for a short period each year.
Listed buildings, protected sites, and short-term leases often entirely rule out permanent solutions. For most workplaces, the return on investment simply isn’t there. That’s why temporary cooling hire, like our air conditioning hire, is the smarter choice. It’s fast to deploy, flexible in duration, and cost-effective for seasonal demand.
How Does Temporary Cooling Hire Work?
Temporary cooling does not have to mean placing the same portable unit in every room. The right solution depends on floor area, occupancy, heat-producing equipment, available power, ventilation, and where rejected heat can be discharged.
For a small office or meeting room, portable air conditioners may provide targeted cooling. Larger workplaces, server rooms, industrial premises, or multi-room buildings may require split systems, high-capacity units, ducted cooling, or a combination of equipment.
A site assessment allows the required cooling duty, unit positions, power supplies, ducting routes, and condensate arrangements to be considered before delivery. This helps avoid undersized equipment and ensures cooling reaches the areas where it is most needed.
Your Pre-Heatwave Building Checklist
Before temperatures rise, facilities and operations teams should ask:
- Which operational areas, occupied spaces or critical rooms overheat first?
- Can temperatures be monitored across high-risk areas?
- Can existing ventilation and cooling systems handle peak summer demand?
- Are employees, IT equipment, stock and temperature-sensitive processes adequately protected?
- Is a temporary or emergency cooling plan agreed, authorised and ready to deploy?
If several answers are unclear, your organisation may not be prepared for a prolonged heatwave.
Act Now Before the Next Heatwave Hits
Don’t wait for the next heatwave to disrupt your business.
|
With fast and flexible air conditioning hire here at Andrews Air Conditioning, you can protect your staff, equipment, and customers – all while staying compliant with workplace guidance.
|
|---|
FAQs
How quickly can you get temporary air conditioning delivered?
Andrews Air Conditioning offers rapid delivery, with four-hour delivery available for many urgent requirements, subject to location, equipment availability and site requirements.
Do fans reduce room temperature?
Fans improve air movement and perceived comfort, but they do not actively lower the air temperature like an air conditioner. Learn more in our guide, Portable AC vs Fans: What Works When You’re Dealing with Real Heat.
Can temporary air conditioning protect server rooms?
Yes. We supply portable AC units specifically suited to IT server rooms and data rooms, where even a brief temperature spike can cause equipment to throttle or fail. Our team can advise on the right capacity for your setup.
