Starting today, October 1st, New York law states that building heat must be supplied if the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit between 6 AM and 10 PM. In honor of the start of heating season, we would like to provide you with some office heating tips!
Before you sign the lease
If your lease requires individual payment of heating and cooling bills, you are entitled, by New York law, to see the bills for the last two years. Simply submit a written request to the landlord and he or she is required to provide at least a summary of the heating and cooling bills for FREE.
How to reduce your heating bill and keep employees happy
In Manhattan, most spaces are heated by a simple, old radiator that is set for the whole building. If you provide a separate heating unit for your office there are many green and efficient heaters on the market. For those of us who are stuck with the ugly radiator in the corner, here are some ideas on how you can control your warmth and your heating bill.
• Put aluminum foil or another reflective, non-flammable, material behind the radiator. The reflective surface redirects heat away from the walls and into the room.
• Check the R-value of the insulation in your office. The higher the R-value, the greater resistance your insulation provides against escaping heat. For R-values and tips on insulation visit Simply Insulate.
• Office windows can provide chilling drafts and a loss of heat. Make sure your windows have the proper weather-stripping and all holes are caulked.
• A fun idea is to purchase the ceramic radiator plate above. Keep your employees warm and toasty by never letting their coffee get cold. Forget about plug in hotplates; purchase this quirky space saver by Yanko Design.
• Move desks away from the walls to use heat more efficiently. The edges of a room are the coldest.
• Space heaters fit nicely under a desk and can be reserved for those employees that just cannot get warm.