VRF and VRV systems in Cardiff
VRF and VRV air conditioning in Cardiff, sized to the real heat load of your premises rather than guessed from the floor area.
- Free site survey and fixed written quote
- Unit sizes, refrigerant and price set out in writing
- Work planned around your opening hours
How much does a VRF system cost in Cardiff?
Budget roughly £2,350–£4,695 per indoor unit (whole system) ex VAT in Cardiff. For a typical job — office floor of 10–16 indoor units — expect £23,500–£75,500 plus VAT. Your exact price is fixed in writing once we have surveyed.
VRF (variable refrigerant flow) — called VRV by some manufacturers — is a commercial air conditioning system where one outdoor unit, or a bank of them, serves many indoor units through a shared refrigerant network.
Cardiff and surrounding areas
Cardiff has the full mix of premises that need cooling and heating: offices, shops, restaurants, gyms, clinics and technical rooms.
That includes premises in CF10, CF11, CF14, CF15, CF23 and CF24 and the surrounding districts. Nearby, we also cover Penarth (about 5 km), Caerphilly (about 11 km) and Barry (about 11 km). For VRF and VRV air conditioning in Cardiff, the survey looks at where the outdoor unit can go, how pipework will reach the indoor units and whether the electrical supply has capacity.
What you get
- Heat load and diversity calculations for every zone
- Two-pipe (heat pump) or three-pipe / two-pipe heat recovery system design
- Refrigerant pipework sizing, branch selectors and refrigerant charge calculation
- Leak detection where the refrigerant concentration limits require it
- Central controls, scheduling and BMS integration
Local guide prices for Cardiff
Prices below include our regional adjustment for Wales (5% below the UK guide).
| Item | Guide price (ex VAT) | Inc VAT | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump VRF, per indoor unit | £2,350–£4,250 | £2,820–£5,100 | per unit |
| Heat recovery VRF, per indoor unit | £2,795–£4,695 | £3,354–£5,634 | per unit |
| Central controller and BMS interface | £895–£3,750 | £1,074–£4,500 | per system |
| Refrigerant leak detection (per alarmed room) | £375–£845 | £450–£1,014 | per room |
| Crane lift for roof plant | £895–£2,795 | £1,074–£3,354 | per lift |
Ex VAT, installed system prices including outdoor plant shared across indoor units.
How it works in Cardiff
Survey and loads
We calculate loads zone by zone and check roof or plant space, risers and ceiling voids.
System design
Outdoor units, indoor units, branch boxes and pipe sizes are designed together, including the refrigerant charge and any leak detection.
Phased first fix
Pipework and controls cabling go in floor by floor, often out of hours in occupied buildings. In Cardiff we agree timings around your opening hours.
Pressure test and charge
The network is pressure tested, evacuated and charged with the calculated refrigerant quantity.
Commissioning
Each indoor unit is commissioned and the controls set up, with as-fitted drawings and F-gas records handed over.
What to think about in Cardiff
Leak checks
Larger VRF systems usually exceed 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent, so they need at least annual F-gas leak checks — more often at 50 tonnes and above.
Conservation areas
Historic streets and listed buildings in and around Cardiff are more likely to need planning permission for outdoor units on visible elevations. We check with the local planning authority before work is booked.
Plant space
Outdoor units need clear air flow, structural support and safe access for servicing.
Leased premises
If your Cardiff premises are leased, the landlord's written consent is usually needed for external units, wall penetrations and roof access. We provide drawings and data sheets for the request.
Premises we work in around Cardiff
- Offices: zoned cooling and heating for open-plan floors, meeting rooms and comms rooms.
- Hotels and hospitality: quiet bedroom units, public-area cooling and heat recovery for hotels.
Compliance in Wales: refrigerant work falls under GB F-gas rules, and buildings with more than 12 kW of air conditioning in total need a periodic energy inspection (often called TM44).
Common questions from businesses in Cardiff
How much does a VRF system cost in Cardiff?
Guide prices in Cardiff run from about £2,350 to £4,695 per indoor unit (whole system), plus VAT. A typical job (office floor of 10–16 indoor units) costs £23,500–£75,500 plus VAT. We fix the price in writing after a free survey.
Do you also cover Penarth, Caerphilly and Barry?
Yes. Alongside Cardiff, we also cover Penarth, Caerphilly and Barry. Each has its own page with local guide prices.
Which postcodes do you cover in Cardiff?
All of them, including CF10, CF11, CF14 and CF15. Give us your postcode when you enquire and we will confirm the visit details.
What is the difference between VRF and VRV?
None in practice. VRV is one manufacturer's trademark; VRF is the generic name for the same type of system.
Does a VRF system need F-gas leak checks?
Usually yes. Most VRF systems hold enough refrigerant to exceed 5 tonnes CO2 equivalent, which triggers at least annual leak checks and record keeping.
Get a guide price for Cardiff
Free survey and fixed written quote. We reply with a guide price or to book the survey.