As one of the region’s leading air conditioning and climate control specialists, Cool Services operates from extensive premises in Shrewsbury, supporting a growing team of engineers, apprentices and office staff.
With continued company growth and an expanding workforce, parts of our office space have evolved to accommodate more people and new working layouts. One particular first-floor office began to experience comfort issues as occupancy increased.
Rather than accept reduced air quality and temperature levels, we applied the same expertise we deliver to our clients to ensure our own team benefits from an optimised working environment.
The Challenge
As headcount increased and desk layouts were reconfigured, the existing air conditioning system in this office area began to struggle to maintain consistent comfort for employees.
The issues included:
- Noticeable hot and cold spots
- Uncomfortable draughts
- Uneven airflow across the space
The system serving this area consisted of a Daikin single split system with a ceiling cassette and a ducted split system supplying four grilles
Like many evolving workplaces, small adjustments had been made to grille positions over time to reduce draughts for individual occupants. However, these changes gradually disrupted overall airflow balance, unintentionally creating new discomfort elsewhere.
This is a common scenario in growing businesses: as teams expand and office layouts change, original airflow designs may no longer suit the revised occupancy and desk arrangement.
The Approach
This project also provided an ideal opportunity to support our internal training programme. Under the supervision of Training Hub Co-ordinator Alan Bradbury, our apprentice team was tasked with investigating and resolving the issue. Before starting, they completed a dedicated session focused on airflow principles, system balancing and air distribution strategies.
The objectives for the air conditioning project were clear:
- Restore balanced airflow across the office
- Improve comfort without unnecessary equipment replacement
- Complete works while the office remained fully operational
Carrying out the project in a live working environment added valuable real-world experience in planning, communication, health & safety and professionalism.
The Solution
Initial assumptions were that additional equipment might be required. However, a detailed assessment showed that the core systems serving this part of the building were performing correctly, the issue lay in air distribution rather than capacity.
The solution was both practical and cost-effective:
- Increase the number of ducted supply grilles from four to six
- Rebalance airflow across the space
- Optimise distribution to suit the revised layout and occupancy
By improving air flow and distribution, we avoided the need for additional outdoor units or new ceiling cassettes.
The Result
The outcome was immediate and measurable:
- Even, consistent comfort across the office
- Elimination of draughts
- Improved working conditions for a growing team
Equally important was the professional manner in which the apprentices delivered the project. They worked considerately within the busy office environment while maintaining high technical and safety standards.
A Reflection of How We Work
This project demonstrates more than a successful air conditioning upgrade. It highlights, our ability to diagnose the cause of performance issues and our commitment to genuine, cost-effective and practical solutions.
It serves also to show investment in developing the next generation of skilled engineers
Even within our own headquarters, we apply the same technical expertise, structured processes and exacting standards that our clients expect from Cool Services.