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It’s Not Just You. Six Reasons Why Offices This Winter Are Even Colder Than Usual.
You’re not imagining it, even though winters are getting warmer, your office probablyis colder than it used to be.
Whether you’re bundled up next to your desk heater or freezing in the office in fingerless gloves, the chill creeping into workspaces across the UK has become a new normal. But why? Why are so many offices suddenly too cold to focus?
Let’s dig into the reasons behind the modern cold-office phenomenon, a trend that’s turning winter into a season of constant cold office complaints and productivity dips., and why the cold office problem seems to be getting worse each winter.
From April 2025,Ofgem raised the UK energy price cap by 6.4%, pushing the average annual household bill to £1,849. While this figure is for homes, offices are also impacted, particularly smaller businesses trying to cut costs.
Regional disparities add to the issue. According to recent data, some areas of the UK pay up to £91 more annually in standing charges alone, making heating costs even more unpredictable.
To save on electricity, many companies have reduced thermostat settings or disabledzonal heating entirely, leaving employees to layer up or suffer in silence.
The rise of hybrid and remote work has changed office usage.
With fewer people in the building at any given time, companies often scale back heating in unused spaces. But HVAC systems are rarely that precise, if an entire floor is colder than usual, it may be because only one or two people are seated there.
Less body heat = colder rooms. And companies are taking advantage of lower occupancy to cut carbon emissions, some studies estimate up to a70% reduction is possible with hybrid models.
Many UK offices are housed in older buildings that were never designed for energy efficiency. These cold office environments are often the result of thin windows, draughty corners, and outdated heating systems.
Even when the heatingis on, it may not reach desks near windows or external walls. Cold office layouts and poor infrastructure mean employees stationed near the perimeter are usually the coldest in the building. that were never designed for energy efficiency. Thin windows, draughty corners, and inefficient heating systems all contribute to that bone-deep chill.
Even when the heatingis on, it may not reach desks near windows or external walls. Employees stationed there? They’re usually the coldest in the building.
Here’s the irony: we expect people to dress professionally, even when you’re freezing in the office.
Blouses and button-downs don’t retain heat. And most office dress codes weren’t made with fleece or thermals in mind. Add in cold desks, metal keyboards, and glass surfaces, and even a modest drop in temperature feels brutal. These elements compound the cold office winter struggle many workers now face., especially in a cold office setting where dress codes limit layering.
Thermostat wars are real. In shared offices, people argue over heating constantly, especially when preferences split along gender lines.
Studies have shown that the most productive office temperature for women is around 24°C, while for men it's closer to 21°C. That gap leads to conflict, especially in mixed workspaces with centralised heating.
And despite modern research, many office systems are still tuned to outdated standards based on male metabolic rates, first developed in the 1960s.
As economic pressures increase, many employers have reduced perks like free hot drinks, space heaters, or relaxed dress codes.
Combined with less investment in heating infrastructure, these subtle changes all add up to one thing: fewer comfort-focused policies and more widespread cold office solutions being sought by workers on their own. a colder office experience and far less comfort than employees were used to in years past.
Even though your office might be colder than ever, whether it’s due to rising bills or poor insulation, you’re not powerless. If you're particularly interested in keeping your hands or feet warm, we have guides for those.
Here are 9 cold office hacks that actually work:
Start with base layers and finish with a jumper or fleece. Don’t forget thermal socks and wrist warmers.
These warm you directly, not the room, making them energy-efficient and discreet.
Place a mat or towel under your desk and wear multiple sock layers.
Use a thermal mug or mug warmer to keep your drink (and your hands) warm.
Move away from windows, vents, or external walls to avoid draughts.
Swap out cold daylight bulbs for soft, amber-toned lighting to create a cosier atmosphere.
Cover cold surfaces like your keyboard, mouse, or desk with insulating materials.
Regular stretching or quick walk breaks improve circulation and boost body heat.
Stock it with gloves, a scarf, and a hot water bottle, your secret arsenal against winter workdays.
And remember, if you feel cold at work, you’re far from alone.
A cold office isn’t just uncomfortable — it impacts morale, productivity, and employee satisfaction. Here are practical ways employers can create a warmer, more comfortable workplace:
Install thermal blinds, seal draughts around windows and doors, and add rugs or floor coverings to help retain heat, especially in older buildings.
Move desks away from windows and external walls, and group employees in warmer areas of the office to avoid cold zones.
Install a hot drink station or boiling tap, and offer items like heated desk pads, foot warmers, or branded fleecewear to help employees stay comfortable.
Service HVAC systems regularly and use smart thermostats to ensure consistent, efficient heating throughout the office.
Even small changes like these show employees that their comfort matters — and can make a big difference in both wellbeing and performance.
Over89% of UK office workers say their productivity drops when the temperature isn’t right.
If you’re tired of typing with frozen fingers, you don’t have to wait for someone else to fix it. Try a Heatka Heated Desk Mat and feel the difference in minutes.
Stay warm. Stay focused.
If your workspace feels more like a walk-in fridge than a functional office, these three products can help warm things up efficiently, discreetly, and without cranking the central heating. Two are our own bestsellers, and one is a favorite we recommend to pair with them.
Cold fingers can wreck your focus. The Heatka heated desk pad creates a soft, warm surface for your forearms and hands while you type, write, or use a mouse. No gloves, no awkward battery packs — just instant comfort that quietly improves posture, typing speed, and overall productivity.
Why we recommend it: It targets warmth exactly where you need it most without heating the whole room. Perfect for focused, all-day comfort.
Cold feet are one of the most common office complaints, especially in drafty spaces or older buildings. Ourunder-desk foot warmer provides consistent, gentle heat that helps your entire body relax and stay focused. It’s compact, low-energy, and easy to tuck into any workspace setup.
Ideal for pairing with the desktop hand warmer with warmth from top to toe, no bulky heaters required.
Sometimes it’s the little things. A simplemug warmer keeps your tea or coffee hot for hours, so you don’t need to keep getting up or settle for lukewarm sips. It also doubles as a gentle hand-warmer between tasks.
We don’t sell this ourselves, but we love this one in particular, especially when paired with our desk and foot warmers for a fully cozy setup.
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