The 'Cool' Blog

Employers have a legal obligation to provide a ‘reasonable’ working temperature which is covered by the Workplace(Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 .  Safe working temperatures are important in any work environment.  Excess heat can cause drowsiness which could lead to mistakes   or unfinished work.     High temperatures can also cause heat stress and other health problems.   Heat stress occurs when the body’s means of controlling its internal temperature starts to fail. As well as air temperature, factors such as work rate, humidity and clothing worn while working may lead to heat stress. Maximum Temperatures Surprisingly there is no legal maximum safe working temperature - the only requirement is that workplace temperatures in buildings should be ‘reasonable’. (Workplace Regulations 1992).   A meaningful maximum figure cannot be given due to the high temperatures found in, for example, bakeries, glass works or foundries. In suc...

The use of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F gases) like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) is governed by Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 and   impacts anyone who - ·          manufactures, uses or services equipment that contains F gases, like refrigeration and air conditioning systems, solvents or aerosols ·          produces or wholesales F gas ·          imports or exports F gas, or equipment containing F gas, to or from the EU Many air conditioning and heat pump systems contain F gases.   Companies that operate or service and maintain fixed air conditioning units containing F gas must meet the following requirements. Check if your cooling system contains F gas Look at the list of  F gases regulated by the EU .   HFC 404A and HFC 410A are common in air cond...

Our new Trainee Business Developer, Ivo, has been telling us about his first week with us and his first trip (one of many he will be making) into London as he accompanied one of London Cool’s colleagues on his deliveries around the capital.   ‘We were pleasantly surprised to find that the traffic in West London was relatively light and we arrived by Marylebone Station in good time. We were delivering an Avalanche   portable split type air conditioner unit   to a prominent firm of   architects as they needed additional cooling in their server room. Unloading one of these powerful units was a lot easier than I anticipated, although the condensers are very heavy. Carrying it looks easier than it is too. After checking that the customer was happy with our setting up of the air conditioning unit, we made our way to London EC4.   An online food company needed portable cooling   equipment in their offices as their fixed air conditioning needed urgent...

Regular air conditioner servicing has many benefits Increased efficiency of operation Reduced chance of a costly, major breakdown at the worst time Longer lifespan of the unit Increased comfort Lower operating costs Improved air quality Priority call-out Adherence to manufacturer’s extended parts warranty Energy Efficiency Regular air conditioner servicing can improve your air conditioner's efficiency. A clogged air filter in your air conditioning system can affect its efficiency as it will obstruct the air flow and increase the energy consumption.   A clean air filter in your room air conditioner, whether it is a ceiling recessed cassette system, or a ceiling suspended system, saves 15 percent energy compared with a dirty one.   Dirty condenser coils will make the air compressor run harder which increases the energy consumption and your electricity bill.   Lower Repair Costs If regular maintenance is not carried out, your air conditioner co...

Colleagues at our head office in Crawley, West Sussex RH10   have been discussing smells recently! Possibly we should get out more, but it is true that air conditioning systems can give off smells, evidenced by recent reports which have highlighted an increase in the number of room air conditioning units giving out a bad smell.  Research has shown that one reason for the bad smells in installed air conditioner systems is a rather disgusting one – dead skin!  Scientists have discovered that the stench from smelly air conditioner systems is caused by dead skins cells that our bodies shed which are then trapped in room cooling units, air conditioner filters and coils.  Bacteria that live in air conditioning units survive by eating dead skin cells. With each person shedding approximately 8lbs of dead skin cells each year, these are rather well fed bacteria.   From our offices we serve London and the South East.   We have looked at our air con...