Toshiba R-32 Smart Cassettes at Bath and West Showground Restaurant

High-performance Toshiba Smart Cassettes running on low Global Warming Potential (GWP) R-32 refrigerant are at the heart of a new air conditioning system at Bath and West Showground’s recently refurbished restaurant.

The 240-acre venue, home to The Royal Bath & West of England Society, hosts a number of internationally renowned agricultural shows and events throughout the year. Its two-storey restaurant and bar has undergone a £1.2 million refurbishment, and can now accommodate up to 850 seated visitors in comfort.

Renamed the Wessex Pavilion, in recognition of the showground’s Vice-Patronage by Her Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex, the venue will now host large weddings, awards dinners, black tie events and conferences.

The high-quality cooling solution was installed by Apple Technical Solutions Ltd working with Toshiba sales manager Wayne Dolley. “The venue caters for large volumes of people during major events,” said Sean Marden, managing director, Apple Technical Solutions Ltd.“This requires significant cooling and fresh air input to ensure high quality, pleasant conditions are maintained throughout the year.

“Working with Toshiba’s Wayne Dolley, we proposed an approach based on Toshiba’s new high efficiency Smart Cassettes and traditional fresh air units with heat recovery. The system achieves the cooling and high quality environment required, along with significantly reduced energy costs. The client was delighted with the solution.”

The system consists of 19 highly energy efficient Toshiba Super Digital Inverter (SDI) outdoor units connected to Smart Cassette indoor units, and six Toshiba VNM fresh air ventilation units with air-to-air heat recovery for even higher efficiency. It serves the venue’s restaurant, bar area, kitchen and common areas across two floors.
Toshiba’s award-winning SDI Smart Cassette sets a new global standard for energy efficiency, low running costs and occupant comfort. It is the highest efficiency product in its class, as measured by Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) for cooling performance and Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP) for heating.A combination of energy-saving technologies and design features enable a SEER value in excess of 9 when connected to a Super Digital Inverter outdoor unit, which is unmatched in this segment.

“We are strong supporters of systems that run on low GWP refrigerant, R-32,” - said Marden. “The Toshiba equipment has proven to be highly reliable, ahead of other well-known manufacturers. As a result, Toshiba is now our go-to air conditioning brand. Since the equipment was installed, summer conditions have produced some of the hottest temperatures ever experienced in the UK, and the equipment has performed impeccably.”

The main contractor on the refurbishment project was Edgar Builders Ltd of Somerton.