Electric heaters: avoid this common mistake if you feel cold

With temperatures dropping, colleagues are reminded to discuss any heating concerns in their building with Estates – rather than reach for portable heaters that could make the problem worse.

The University will again be adopting a smart heating plan this winter, which aims to avoid heating unoccupied rooms and keep rooms at a minimum of 19°C during working hours in accordance with our Heating and Cooling Policy.

If you believe your workspace is below 19°C, please report it via the Estates Helpdesk so the issue can be investigated properly.

A team of technical experts will support you to find the underlying cause and provide a safe and effective solution.

Why shouldn’t we use electric heaters?

Portable heaters, such as electric fan heaters, should never be used in offices and workspaces because they create a genuine fire risk.

Installing any kind of heater yourself can also interfere with heating sensors, which may result in the heating being switched off in your building and leave other colleagues feeling chilly.

Portable heaters, apart from those issued by Estates to address a confirmed heating fault, may again be removed if seen in use.

To help keep everyone comfortable this winter, please be considerate of different heating preferences in your shared workspaces and wear appropriate clothing for your needs.