The first UK installation of Daikin VRV II heat recovery air conditioning at Stephenson House, Croydon, installed by Calibre Ventilation Ltd was recently handed over to building owners, UBS Triton Property.

Daikin introduced its advanced VRV II system in July of last year and at present it remains the only R-410A operated VRF system available anywhere in Europe. A number of key UK installations however, are now close to completion.

Stephenson House, part of the ‘60s built office block, is an 8 storey building, air conditioned throughout originally by an induction system. During summer 2003, the decision was taken to refurbish the 1st floor accommodation to high quality office standards and consultants, Silcock Dawson & Partners, were engaged to design and supervise the installation of new building services, including air conditioning.

Subsequent to a feasibility study, the Daikin VRV II system was selected, primarily for its high COP ratings, low energy consumption and flexible installation characteristics but also because it freed up valuable accommodation space. Calibre Ventilation Ltd, New Addington, Surrey was appointed mechanical contractor along with ESE Electrical Services Ltd, as electrical contractor under the principle contractor, Avondale Interiors Ltd.

The 1st floor is made up of two blocks in a T shape and open plan in format, providing approximately 1,450m^2 of usable office accommodation. Served previously by perimeter induction units, the floor had limited ceiling space but after the installation of a false ceiling, 300mm was available for the VRV II indoor fan coil units – enough to take the new Daikin 294mm deep 600 x 600 ceiling cassettes. Fresh air for the units is supplied from existing roof mounted air handling plant, via ducting modified to feed into the new ceiling voids. The external heat recovery condensing units are located at roof top level.

Two complete VRV II systems (1 x 48 hp and 1 x 16 hp), comprising 4x three pipe outdoor units and 41 indoor cassette units, were supplied by Daikin Air Conditioning UK East Ltd, Merstham, Surrey in August to meet Calibre Ventilation’s fast track installation requirements.

Overall temperature control is provided by two wall mounted Daikin intelligent I-controllers, which monitor and regulate the systems to maintain a year round indoor temperature of 22 C +/- 2 C. The I-controller in fact, offers far more than just temperature control. This small, “touch screen” controller, which can regulate up to 64 groups of indoor units, simplifies the management of small to medium sized air conditioning systems by producing much useful data on unit temperature settings, forth coming maintenance requirements and operation conditions etc.

Its major benefit however, is its ability to monitor the proportional distribution of electrical power, enabling individual tenant billing to be achieved. Optional software allows the electrical consumption of each indoor unit (or group) to be saved on a dedicated memory card and displayed on a PC or spread sheet, enabling consumption rates to be calculated and bills printed out.

Please contact Danny Burraway on 020 8405 2700 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it