Background
Practice Plan is the UK’s number one provider of practice-branded dental membership plans. The company, based in Oswestry, operates from a Grade II listed building – a former train shed and machine shop. It was an important building in the Cambrian Railway and although it became derelict, this building’s beautiful architectural features have been meticulously restored. Today it is the fitting headquarters of a premier Shropshire business, although while the building offers a striking modern office interior, its heritage features posed significant challenges for heating and cooling throughout the year.
The offices span two floors with exceptionally high ceilings in large rooms and large heritage windows, all of which contributed to energy inefficiency and poor comfort levels for the company’s employees.
Due to the site’s re- use and development plans, Practice Plan’s heating was provided by a gas boiler located in an adjacent building. Long pipe runs meant significant heat loss before reaching the office spaces, resulting in poor efficiency, high running costs, and inconsistent temperatures.
In addition, solar gain through large windows made the offices uncomfortably warm in sunny conditions, while in winter the heating remained unreliable and costly. To make working conditions more pleasant for staff, the business hired portable air conditioners and portable electric heaters on a regular basis to give staff the flexibility to heat or cool their workspaces as required.
Objectives
The primary objective was to deliver an energy efficient solution providing both heating and cooling to offices and meeting spaces across two floors. With the potential added benefits of:
- Ensuring year-round comfort and temperature stability
- Lower energy consumption and operational costs
- Support sustainability goals by reducing reliance on gas.
The Solution
Cool Services designed and installed two state of the art VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) air conditioning systems to serve the various offices and meeting rooms. These systems provided:
- Heating and Cooling: A single solution for year-round comfort
- Heat Recovery Technology: Capturing and reusing waste heat to maximise efficiency
- Zoned Control: Precise temperature management across different rooms and floors
- Future Integration Potential: Capability to link with existing systems in the business
Installation Challenges & Solutions
Indoor unit selection was guided by both performance requirements and the constraints of the heritage architecture. A mix of wall-mounted units, concealed ducted systems, and ceiling cassettes was used, ensuring suitability for the varied ceiling and wall structures. Particular care was taken when installing units in spaces with ceilings over four metres high, ensuring effective air distribution and occupant comfort despite the challenging layout.
The system was installed by a team of F-Gas accredited engineers from Cool Services, who coordinated works around the client’s operational requirements. To minimise disruption, the team worked evenings and weekends (from 5pm to early morning) over a four-week programme. This approach enabled completion to schedule while maintaining business continuity within a fully occupied office environment. Health and safety was paramount with working at height a particular focus.
Results
The installation has been very well received and the benefits to employees of consistent comfort have been tangible. Temperatures across all office and meeting spaces are now stable and reliable throughout the year. The systems allows total flexibility in terms of control, enabling staff to enjoy simultaneous heating or cooling to suit their needs.
Building Manager Adrian Hyde confirmed that “significant savings in heating costs have been achieved, particularly in gas. We are delighted that the installation is projected to achieve pay back within just five years, through energy savings.”
By replacing gas heating with efficient electric VRF heat recovery technology, Practice Plan has reduced its carbon footprint while maintaining a comfortable working environment.
The company now plans to extend VRF technology further, replacing immersion heaters with a VRF-powered hot water solution for additional cost and carbon savings.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates how modern VRF air conditioning can transform energy performance and comfort, even within a challenging heritage building. Practice Plan has successfully reduced its reliance on inefficient gas heating, improved working conditions for staff, and laid the foundation for further sustainable investment.