Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what temperature (1) the Palace of Westminster, and (2) the other offices used by the House of Lords, are heated to during working hours in winter; and what assessment has been made of the advantages and disadvantages of reducing that temperature by 2°C.

During working hours in winter, the main heating flow temperature supplied by the boilers in the Palace of Westminster is varied depending on the outside air temperature and so a definitive answer cannot be provided. Offices used by the House of Lords in Millbank House and Old Palace Yard are monitored and are heated to 21°C during working hours in winter

Reducing the temperature by 2°C across all offices would reduce the energy demand from space heating by approximately 15%. However, due consideration must be given to the outside air temperature, activities being carried out within the offices, and the individual circumstances of people within the offices. Reducing the temperature by 2°C may also encourage the use of portable electric heaters which use more energy.