Mitsubishi Electric installer Kinlochs and Son Ltd (KSL) offered a timely air conditioning switch when called upon to help transform a Burger King fast food outlet into a KFC.
The project for an outlet in Banbury, Oxfordshire was scheduled to take just over seven weeks from start to finish. The building required a complete overhaul with a need to switch the standard split-type air conditioning system to a VRF heat recovery system.
KSL, a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Quality Partner, had worked with a number of KFC franchises since 2001. The company had previously helped to introduce a more streamlined approach to franchisee’s air conditioning systems by implementing equipment from a single manufacturer, cutting down on training, support and critical spares costs.
The Mitsubishi Electric City Multi VRF heat recovery system selected offers significant benefits in the Banbury KFC outlet as waste heat from cold room equipment can be recovered and put to good use elsewhere.
Initial discussions with the Banbury KFC franchisee were focused on keeping energy consumption as low as possible and reducing equipment downtime. “The franchisee was keen on the idea of saving energy via a VRF air curtain and recognised the advantages in selecting an economical system which provides a rapid return on the initial investment,” commented KSL contracts manager Kevin Gregory. “During the summer months the newly installed air curtain will deliver cool air and stop flying insects from entering the premises – a major consideration for food outlets.”
Featuring two-pipe technology for quicker installation and a BC controller for ‘intelligent’ decision making, Mitsubishi Electric says the new system will deliver instant efficiency savings and could reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.
By individually metering power supplies, the franchisee was offered first hand evidence of the potential savings on offer and is now committed to using heat recovery air conditioning systems in future new builds.
KSL will be responsible for maintenance at the Banbury site and, as a Diamond Quality Partner, were able to offer an extended seven-year parts warranty.
