VRF and VRV systems in Dorset
VRF and VRV air conditioning in Dorset, 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 Dorset?
Budget roughly £2,550–£5,150 per indoor unit (whole system) ex VAT in Dorset. For a typical job — office floor of 10–16 indoor units — expect £25,500–£82,500 plus VAT. The fixed price follows a free survey.
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.
Our coverage in Dorset
We cover all of Dorset, including Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth and Christchurch. Wherever your premises are, the survey, quote and installation follow the same steps.
Postcode districts we cover include BA22, BH5, BH11, BH17, BH23, DT4, DT10 and TA20. In Dorset, outdoor unit positions are often the deciding factor: a rear flat roof or yard is usually straightforward, while a front elevation may need landlord or planning consent first.
Included as standard
- 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
- Phased installation, pressure testing, commissioning and full F-gas records
Local guide prices for Dorset
Prices below include our regional adjustment for the South West (4% above the UK guide).
| Item | Guide price (ex VAT) | Inc VAT | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump VRF, per indoor unit | £2,550–£4,650 | £3,060–£5,580 | per unit |
| Heat recovery VRF, per indoor unit | £3,050–£5,150 | £3,660–£6,180 | per unit |
| Central controller and BMS interface | £985–£4,095 | £1,182–£4,914 | per system |
| Refrigerant leak detection (per alarmed room) | £410–£930 | £492–£1,116 | per room |
| Crane lift for roof plant | £985–£3,050 | £1,182–£3,660 | per lift |
Ex VAT, installed system prices including outdoor plant shared across indoor units.
The steps for a project in Dorset
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 Dorset 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.
Points to plan for in Dorset
Refrigerant in occupied rooms
Because one network carries a large refrigerant charge, small rooms on the system are checked against the safety limits in BS EN 378 and may need leak detection.
Conservation areas
Historic streets and listed buildings in and around Dorset 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.
Neighbours and noise
Outdoor units near flats — common above shops — need careful siting so noise at neighbours' windows stays low. We choose positions and quieter units with that in mind.
Premises we work in around Dorset
- Hotels and hospitality: quiet bedroom units, public-area cooling and heat recovery for hotels.
- Offices: zoned cooling and heating for open-plan floors, meeting rooms and comms rooms.
Compliance in England: 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).
FAQs for Dorset
How much does a VRF system cost in Dorset?
Guide prices in Dorset run from about £2,550 to £5,150 per indoor unit (whole system), plus VAT. A typical job (office floor of 10–16 indoor units) costs £25,500–£82,500 plus VAT. We fix the price in writing after a free survey.
Do you also cover the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Wiltshire?
Yes. Alongside Dorset, we also cover the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and Wiltshire. Each has its own page with local guide prices.
Can VRF connect to our BMS?
Yes, through the manufacturer's interface. We specify the right gateway at design stage.
When is VRF better than separate split systems?
Usually once you need more than about six to eight indoor units, want central control, or are short of space for outdoor units. One outdoor unit can replace many.
Talk to us about your premises in Dorset
Free survey and fixed written quote. We reply with a guide price or to book the survey.