Insulating the body will save your business energy and money

Did you know that insulating the body, as opposed to the actual physical location where you are working, such as a warehouse, is much more energy efficient?

Think about it – our own bodies create heat, therefore wearing a thermal base layer, a hat or a lightweight jacket helps to regulate the body temperature when the external temperature is low; providing you with one simple and effective way to combat spending too much on heating a warehouse this winter.

According to the UK government, heating and cooling account for about 48% of the energy use in a typical UK home, making it the largest energy expense for most households. By reducing the need for heating and cooling, money can be saved and the carbon footprint reduced.

Insulating a warehouse, on the other hand, is not as easy or cheap as it sounds. Warehouses are large and complex structures that require different types of insulation depending on their use, condition, and location. Insulating a warehouse can cost anywhere from £0.38 to £2.28 per square foot, depending on the type and quality of insulation used.

Moreover, insulating a warehouse does not guarantee that the temperature inside will be stable and consistent, as there are many factors that affect heat transfer, such as air leaks, ventilation, humidity, and solar radiation.

Benefits of insulating body Vs heating location

The benefits of insulating the body versus insulating the warehouse are clear. Insulating the body can help you:

• Stay warm and comfortable in cold weather without relying on artificial heating
• Save energy and money by lowering the thermostat setting by 1°C to 2°C, which can save up to 10% a year on heating bills
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using less fossil fuels for heating and cooling
• Protect health by preventing hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related illnesses

Insulating the body is also easy and affordable. You can use clothing items that you already have or buy new ones that are designed for thermal insulation. Some of the best materials for insulating the body are wool, fleece, down, and synthetic fabrics that trap air and retain heat.

You can also layer your clothing to create air pockets that act as insulation. The most important parts of the body to insulate are the head, neck, chest, hands, and feet, as they lose heat faster than other parts.

Based on an average UK warehouse size of 340,000 square feet, it has been proven that by simply turning down the heating by 1°C you can save up to 10% of the heating costs, however by adding a thermal base layer to workers clothing, 40% of your energy costs can be saved.

This means that by wearing a thermal base layer instead of heating a warehouse, a saving of up to £30,000 per year can be made on energy bills.

Whether working in a warehouse or other work areas in cold weather, insulating the body rather than insulating the location can be a smart and simple way to stay warm and save energy this winter. By choosing the right materials and fit, heating costs and the environmental impact can be reduced.