Commercial Air Conditioning

Air conditioning in business premises keeps staff and customers comfortable in hot weather and protects stock and equipment from heat. Most modern systems heat as well as cool, so they can also take over from older electric heaters in winter.

Our team designs and installs air conditioning for offices, shops, hospitality venues, schools and other commercial premises across Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.

Which System Is Right for Your Premises?

• Wall-mounted split systems. The simplest option for a single office, a small shop or a staff room. See wall-mounted air conditioning.

• Multi-split systems. Several indoor units run from one outdoor unit, for a few rooms such as offices, a meeting room and a staff area. See multi-split air conditioning.

• Ceiling cassettes. These sit flush in a suspended ceiling and spread air in several directions, which suits open-plan offices and shop floors. See ceiling cassette air conditioning.

• Ducted systems. Hidden above the ceiling, with only grilles on show, for reception areas, meeting rooms and spaces where appearance matters. See ducted air conditioning.

• VRF and VRV systems. For larger buildings with many rooms. One outdoor system serves many indoor units, and different areas can be controlled separately. Heat recovery versions can heat some areas while cooling others. See VRF and VRV systems.

Air Conditioning by Type of Business

• Offices. Computers, screens and people add heat all day. See our guide to office air conditioning.

• Shops and retail. Lighting, customers and sun through the shop window add heat, and some stock is sensitive to it. See shop and retail air conditioning.

• Restaurants, cafes and bars. Busy dining areas warm up quickly with people and hot food. Commercial kitchens need their own extraction, which is a separate system. Pubs and bars may also need cellar cooling.

• Gyms and studios. People exercising give off a lot of heat and moisture, so these spaces need generous cooling.

• Schools and nurseries. Classrooms can overheat in summer, especially rooms with large windows.

• Server and comms rooms. IT equipment produces heat day and night, all year. See server room cooling.

• Warehouses and workshops. In large open buildings, it is usually more practical to cool offices, staff areas and work areas than the whole space.

Rules for Business Air Conditioning

• F-gas leak checks. Systems containing refrigerant equivalent to 5 tonnes of CO2 or more must be leak checked regularly by a certified engineer. For most systems, this means at least every 12 months, and records must be kept. See our guide to R32 refrigerant.

• Energy inspections. In England and Wales, systems with an effective rated output of more than 12 kW must be inspected by an accredited energy assessor at least every five years. This includes several smaller units that add up to more than 12 kW, and it is often called a TM44 inspection.

• Planning and noise. Outdoor units on commercial premises may need planning permission. Councils often ask for a noise assessment, usually based on BS 4142, as part of the application.

• Your lease. If you rent the premises, check your lease before any work, as alterations usually need the landlord's consent.

• Workplace temperature. Employers must keep indoor workplaces at a reasonable temperature. HSE guidance says this should normally be at least 16°C, or 13°C for rigorous physical work. There is no legal maximum.

Tax Relief

Air conditioning in business premises counts as an integral feature for capital allowances, so the cost may qualify for tax relief. Ask your accountant how this applies to your business.

What to Expect

1. Survey. We look at the space, how it is used, the main sources of heat and where the indoor and outdoor units can go.

2. Design and quote. We recommend a system and give you a clear written quote.

3. Permissions. We can provide the details your landlord or council will ask for.

4. Installation. Our own engineers install and commission the system. We do not use subcontractors.

5. Servicing. We recommend a service at least once a year, or twice a year if the system is used for heating. See our air conditioning servicing page.

What Does Commercial Air Conditioning Cost?

The cost depends on the size and layout of the premises, the number and type of indoor units, the pipe routes, where the outdoor units go and access to the building. Every commercial job is different, so we give you a clear written quote after a free survey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can commercial air conditioning heat as well as cool?

Yes. Most modern systems heat as well as cool, and they heat efficiently because they move heat rather than make it. Read more about air conditioning as a form of heating.

How long does installation take?

It depends on the size of the job. A single office can often be done quickly, while larger systems take longer. We confirm the timing in your quote.

Do you service business systems?

Yes. We service air conditioning for businesses as well as homes. See our air conditioning servicing page.

Call 01772 288651 or use the form below to book a free survey. We will look at your premises, recommend the right system and give you a clear written quote.

Last updated: November 2026.