Air-to-air source heating – improving productivity all year round
Joe, General Manager at Bradfields, approached Smart Energy Projects due to ongoing issues with office comfort. The existing environment was impacting staff wellbeing and productivity, especially during seasonal temperature swings.
The challenge
As a business committed to sustainability, Bradfields had already invested in Solar PV, EV charging points, and an electric vehicle fleet. They needed a climate control solution that aligned with their green values, without compromising comfort or efficiency.
Bradfields’ office was previously heated using a gas boiler connected to an inefficient underfloor heating system. Although a zoned control system was in place, it was not functional. As a result, the team had to rely on opening windows to regulate temperature and introduce fresh air, leading to inconsistent comfort and high energy loss.
Other key challenges included:
- Excessive glazing that caused overheating in summer and cold drafts in winter
- Poor air circulation contributing to a stale and stuffy environment
- Visual and spatial constraints for installing traditional HVAC systems
Smart Projects’ Innovative Approach:
Bradfield's specialises in mezzanine flooring, so our team proposed using a purpose-built mezzanine platform for mounting the external air conditioning condensers. This:
- Kept the units out of sight, preserving the building's aesthetic
- Allowed for shorter pipe runs, which improved system efficiency and performance
- Ensured minimal disruption to ground space and operations
The performance from Smart Projects has been outstanding, from the initial brief Ashley was able to assist us in recommending a suitable system which could ensure our office comfort expectations where achieved.
They maintained this level of performance throughout the whole project ensuring a safe and speedy installation leading to minimal disruption to our office staff. With all aspects of our works including works undertaken we strive to achieve the highest level of quality and workmanship, Smart Projects fully aligned with our expectations from the briefing through to the aftercare.
The solution
Smart Energy Projects installed a high-performance air-to-air source heating and cooling system, tailored to meet the specific needs of Bradfields’ office environment.
The solution included:
- Zoned wall-mounted air conditioning units for targeted, room-by-room temperature control
- Integrated fresh air ventilation to significantly improve indoor air quality
- A complete retrofit completed within just two weeks, causing minimal disruption to business operations
One of the standout features of this project was the bespoke external condenser platform, designed and built in partnership with Bradfields. As specialists in mezzanine flooring, Bradfields collaborated with Smart Projects to create a high-quality, space-saving platform solution that kept external condensers discreetly positioned and improved overall system efficiency by reducing pipe run lengths.
Work carried out:
- Complete replacement of the underperforming gas heating system
- Retrofit of air-to-air heat pumps with fresh air ventilation
- Installation of rooftop-mounted condensers on a bespoke platform
This innovative platform is now available to all Smart Projects customers, offering a professional-grade option for sites where aesthetics, performance, and space are important.
Together, this system now delivers:
- Year-round comfort through efficient heating and cooling
- Fresh air circulation that supports staff wellbeing
- A measurable reduction in energy use and carbon output
- A scalable, repeatable solution for other commercial clients
The result
The outcome was:
- Improved energy performance and operational efficiency
- Substantial carbon and cost savings
- Year-round comfort for office staff
- Enhanced sustainability credentials
The project was completed on time, taking two weeks from start to commissioning.
Zoned heating and cooling ensure that every corner of the office is maintained at optimal temperature levels.
Air-to-air heat pumps use less than a quarter of the energy previously consumed by the gas boiler system.
Improved air quality reduces fatigue, improves focus, and reduces the risk of airborne illness.
Innovative use of mezzanine structure kept external units hidden and maximised performance with shorter pipework.
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