Office air conditioning in Leamington Spa

Why do Leamington studios run so hot?

Because of what is in them. In 2021 the town's MP told Parliament that the Silicon Spa cluster employed over 2,000 people in 32 studios. Each desk in a games business may have a powerful PC and several screens, all of it turning into heat. Server Room Environments puts it simply: a 900W machine gives out 900W of heat. Add a person, which the same guide counts at 400 BTU, and a small room quickly needs real cooling, even in spring. Sources: Parallel Parliament; Server Room Environments.

What does the law ask of an employer?

Indoor workplaces must be kept at a reasonable temperature during working hours, under regulation 7 of the 1992 Workplace Regulations. GOV.UK says there is no guidance for a maximum limit, and suggests a minimum of 16°C, or 13°C for physical work. The Health and Safety Executive treats heat as a hazard to be assessed like any other, and its 2026 statements told employers to act during heat alerts. Sources: legislation.gov.uk; GOV.UK; HSE.

How do we work out what an office needs?

• Floor area, ceiling height and how much glass faces the sun.
• How many people work there at the busiest time.
• Wattage of the computers, screens and lighting.
• Any server cupboard, which usually needs its own cooling.
• Who controls the building, and what the lease says about plant.

Offices in converted Regency buildings add height limits, listed status and a shared stair to think about, so we look at the access early.

Do you need planning permission for an office unit?

Most likely. The Planning Portal says air source heat pumps on non-domestic land are likely to need an application, and the home rules do not cover workplaces. In the Royal Leamington Spa conservation area, a visible position will take particular thought, so we usually start at the rear or on an existing flat roof. Your landlord will need to agree too. Sources: Planning Portal; Warwick District Council.

What is a TM44 inspection, and do you need one?

If the air conditioning units you control add up to more than 12kW, an energy assessor has to inspect the system, with no more than five years between visits. Small units count towards the total. Whoever controls the system arranges this and keeps the report. Having no report can bring a £300 fixed penalty from Trading Standards, and not handing it over within a week of being asked can bring £200. Source: GOV.UK.