UK: Commercial refurb

CP Sierra Engineering

R32 technology brings cost-saving comfort to engineering staff

After some 20 years in its two storey building in Malvern, Worcestershire, Sierra CP Engineering decided to modernise its heating and lighting systems to save energy and provide more comfortable year-round working conditions for its 50-strong staff.

The purpose-built premises property was developed in the 1990s when energy efficiency and thermal performance of buildings were lesser concerns. The building could become unbearably hot in summer while in winter the electric heaters, rated at 2kW, took a long time to raise temperatures adequately. After the Christmas shut-down it took several days to get the building comfortably warm.

R32 technology brings cost-saving comfort to engineering staff

The 20 outdated, inefficient and energy-hungry electric panel heaters have gone. The boardroom, offices and specialist workshops now have heating – and cooling – provided by 19 split air conditioning systems from Daikin UK’s Bluevolution range, with the latest R32 refrigerant technology. The systems are controlled by infra-red controllers, giving people the freedom to select temperatures. Installer Wayne Young of Malvern-based Daikin D1 Partner Young Air Conditioning, says the choice of systems was motivated by a preference for the R32 technology. Sierra CP received a grant towards the project from The Business Energy Efficiency Programme, funded from the European Regional Development Fund

Peter Martin, Financial Controller

Peter Martin says “The Daikin systems are five times more efficient and the prospect of reduced cost energy for heating – plus the benefit of having comfort cooling available in hotter weather – was very attractive. We are expecting significant energy cost savings. The improved quality of the workspace is an enormous benefit to the company and staff. We use our boardroom extensively for training sessions and before the Daikin systems, conditions could become very unpleasant. It’s much more comfortable now.”