Air Conditioning Upgrade in Camberley Office
- Cold Control
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
We recently carried out a project in Camberley for a client who wished to expand their existing air-conditioning coverage across more of their office. While part of the office was already served, they needed additional capacity in other zones. To deliver that, we installed two Preferra wall-mounted units and one cassette-style unit, bringing improved comfort and even climate control to previously underserved areas.
Cooling in Summer, Heating in Winter
Most modern air conditioning systems don’t just cool in the summer. They also provide efficient heating during the winter thanks to built-in heat pump technology. This allows the system to reverse its operation and deliver warm air throughout the space, often using less energy than traditional electric heaters. For offices, this means one system can handle year-round climate control, keeping staff comfortable and helping reduce overall energy costs.
Technical notes on the Preferra units
The Preferra wall-mounted split units we used are high-efficiency inverter models, designed for reliable year-round temperature control with low noise operation. These units feature modern compressors and refrigerant loops that allow for precise temperature regulation and efficient operation across a range of conditions.
The cassette unit (ceiling-mounted) provides a larger airflow volume, suitable for open or spacious areas, delivering cooling or heating evenly across a room. Compared with a single directional wall unit, cassette units are engineered to deliver uniform air distribution across multiple directions at once, ideal for larger or open-plan spaces.
Both unit types rely on a separate condensing module. In this particular install, to meet the client’s constraints, we located the condensers inside the warehouse space, where ambient temperatures stay within the manufacturer’s design limits and existing air extraction helps maintain airflow and safe operation.
Why we chose a combination: Wall-Mounted + Cassette
Wall-Mounted Units – great for smaller or defined zones
Wall-mounted units are relatively straightforward to install and integrate: no false ceiling or major structural work required. This makes them ideal for smaller offices, meeting rooms or zones where airflow can be directed efficiently
These units are energy-efficient, especially when cooling or heating a single room or a well-sealed zone - they minimise wasted output and avoid overcooling spaces.
Maintenance tends to be simpler: filters are typically easy to access and clean, and the system layout is more straightforward than ceiling-mounted or ducted options.
Cassette Unit – excellent for larger or open-plan spaces
Cassette air conditioners distribute air multi-directionally. Their 4-way or even 360° airflow delivers consistent temperature throughout a room, reducing hot or cold spots - a problem often seen when using only wall-mounted units in larger areas.
Because they’re recessed into the ceiling, cassette units preserve wall space and offer a clean, unobtrusive install - useful in office spaces where aesthetics or wall-space are priorities.
In larger or high-ceilinged spaces, cassette units tend to cool or heat more evenly and effectively than wall-mounted units. This makes them well-suited to open-plan work areas or communal zones.
Why this hybrid approach made sense for the Camberley project
Given the tenant’s constraints (no external condensers allowed) and the mixed layout of the office - with some smaller rooms and some larger open areas, a hybrid approach combining wall-mounted and cassette units allowed us to match the solution to each space’s specific characteristics.
In smaller or enclosed office rooms, the wall-mounted units deliver efficient, targeted cooling.
In open or larger zones, the ceiling-cassette unit ensures air is distributed evenly, avoiding temperature stratification or zones left too warm.
By positioning condensers in the warehouse (with adequate ambient conditions and extraction), we complied with the landlord’s requirements while still delivering full functionality.
Retrofitting Additional AC Units in Existing Office Setups
It’s often straightforward to retrofit additional air-conditioning units into office buildings, whether they use single or multi-split systems. Modern splits are designed with flexibility in mind, so new indoor units can often be added without major disruption to daily operations. This makes it easier for growing businesses to expand their cooling capacity as teams increase or layouts change. With the right assessment, most offices can accommodate extra wall-mounted or cassette units, giving you more control over comfort without needing a full system replacement.
Solving a No-External-Condensers Challenge
With more than 30 years of industry experience, our engineers are used to finding practical solutions for buildings with strict rules on external modifications. Projects like this show how alternative approaches, such as internal condenser placement, can still deliver reliable results when handled by the right team. It’s always best to speak with a qualified commercial HVAC professional who understands how to work within these constraints.
If you’re planning a similar upgrade, get in touch for a free quote.
