EMBARQ Redcliff Quay – energy-efficient ventilation for a landmark office in Bristol

A future-oriented challenge

The refurbishment of EMBARQ aimed to revitalise a 100,000 sq ft office building into a destination that promotes productivity and well-being. A critical part of this transformation was replacing outdated ventilation systems that used excessive energy and relied on fossil fuels. The client requested a solution that would:

• Significantly reduce energy use and carbon emissions
• Ensure excellent indoor air quality and comfort
• Support the building’s all-electric, low-carbon strategy
• Improve the building’s EPC rating and meet BREEAM Excellent and NABERS 4-star targets

From site visit to investment calculation

In June 2024, our Area Sales Manager, James Stafford, visited the site at the request of Method Consulting. They had been contracted by the property owner, Skelton Group Investments, to design an energy- and space-efficient ventilation solution.

The main challenge for Method Consulting and the future M&E installer, Cedar Mechanical, was the limited space and difficult access. The building had several plantrooms in both attic and basement levels.

We proposed replacing the old AHU and HVAC installation with our small footprint units featuring integrated reversible heat pumps – ThermoCooler HP. The investment calculation showed a payback of just 3.4 years. Based on this, a detailed design for the high-performance, frost-free units was developed.

Our solution: high-efficiency air handling units with integrated defrosting free reversible heat pumps

To meet these demands, we supplied six Envistar Flex units and one Envistar Top unit. All were equipped with ThermoCooler HP integrated reversible heat pumps, to facilitate the removal of roof mounted chillers and a gas boiler plant in the basement. Access to the plantrooms was tight, so our Easy Access concept was selected to simplify the installation.

The new air handling units deliver:

• Exceptional energy performance with a total dry temperature efficiency of approx. 88%
• Low SFP value of 1.57 kW/m³/s for reduced fan energy use
• Demand-controlled ventilation via CO₂ air quality sensors, optimising airflow and energy use
• Comfortable indoor climate with precise temperature control and quiet operation

The system serves a ventilated area of 5,500 m², ensuring fresh, filtered air throughout the building while minimising energy demand.

Summary

Installing our air handling units with reversible heat pumps helped EMBARQ reduce ventilation energy use by 87% and significantly reduce carbon emissions. The solution supports the building’s EPC A, BREEAM Excellent and NABERS 4-star targets, but also enhances comfort for its occupants – a perfect example of how smart ventilation can transform a property’s performance, comfort, and value.