VRF and VRV systems in Exeter
Cooling and heating for offices, shops and hospitality venues in Exeter, with a free site survey and a fixed written quote.
- 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 Exeter?
Budget roughly £2,550–£5,150 per indoor unit (whole system) ex VAT in Exeter. For a typical job — office floor of 10–16 indoor units — expect £25,500–£82,500 plus VAT. You get a fixed written quote after the 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.
Working in Exeter
In Exeter, typical commercial premises include town-centre shops and offices, surgeries, gyms and units on business parks.
That includes premises in EX2 and the surrounding districts. Neighbouring towns we cover include Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot. In Exeter, 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
- Heat load and diversity calculations for every zone
- Two-pipe (heat pump) or three-pipe / two-pipe heat recovery system design
- 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
VRF / VRV prices in Exeter
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 Exeter
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. We keep work areas in Exeter screened and tidy at the end of each day.
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.
Local points to consider
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.
Access and parking
Town-centre jobs in Exeter often come down to access — loading restrictions, parking for the van and getting equipment onto a roof. We check this at survey and plan deliveries around it.
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.
Leased premises
If your Exeter 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 Exeter
- 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.
Two rules matter for most businesses in England: GB F-gas rules (leak checks from 5 tonnes CO2e) and the periodic energy inspection for more than 12 kW of air conditioning.
FAQs for Exeter
How much does a VRF system cost in Exeter?
Guide prices in Exeter 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 Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot?
Yes. Alongside Exeter, we also cover Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot. Each has its own page with local guide prices.
Which postcodes do you cover in Exeter?
All of them, including EX2. Give us your postcode when you enquire and we will confirm the visit details.
How long does a VRF system last?
With regular servicing, commercial VRF equipment commonly runs for 15 years or more. Lifespan depends on use, maintenance and the operating environment.
What is heat recovery VRF?
A version that can cool some zones and heat others at the same time, moving heat around the building instead of dumping it outside.
Get a guide price for Exeter
Free survey and fixed written quote. We reply with a guide price or to book the survey.