How to Size Aircons for Kariega Offices and Workshops

Why workplace cooling is different

Sizing an aircon for a bedroom is fairly simple: measure the room, check the sun and windows, and choose a size. Workplaces are more complicated because they produce their own heat. People, computers, servers, printers, lighting, kitchens and machinery all add heat throughout the day. In Kariega, where summer afternoons are hotter than on the coast, that internal heat on top of the outside temperature can overwhelm an undersized system.

A room that is too hot affects concentration, mood and safety. In workshops, heat makes physical work harder and can affect sensitive equipment. In medical and professional practices, it affects patient and client comfort. Getting cooling right is a real business decision.

Step 1: Understand the heat load

Before choosing units, list what adds heat to the space:

• People. Each person gives off heat. A meeting room with eight people produces far more heat than the same room empty.
• Computers and screens. Every desktop computer and monitor adds heat. Server cupboards add a lot more and may need dedicated cooling.
• Printers, copiers and kitchen equipment. Small but continuous heat sources.
• Lighting. Older fluorescent and halogen lighting adds noticeable heat. LED lighting adds much less.
• Machinery. In workshops, compressors, welders, ovens and motors can add significant heat.
• Windows and sun. Large west-facing windows and shopfronts let in a lot of heat in the afternoon.
• Roof. Single-storey buildings with uninsulated metal roofs heat up much faster than multi-storey buildings with concrete slabs.

A technician uses these factors, plus the room size, to calculate the cooling capacity needed. This is why we always visit commercial sites before quoting.

Step 2: One big unit or several smaller units?

For larger offices, open-plan spaces and workshops, several smaller units are often better than one large one:

• Even cooling. One big unit on one wall leaves the far end of the room warm. Several units spread the cooling.
• Redundancy. If one unit fails on a hot day, the others keep working while it is repaired.
• Zoning. Different areas can be set to different temperatures, or switched off when not in use.
• Flexibility. Smaller units are easier to move if the office layout changes.

For very large spaces, ducted or cassette systems may be more suitable. We will advise if your space needs something beyond wall-mounted splits.

Step 3: Choose inverter units for long hours

Workplace aircons often run eight to ten hours a day, five or six days a week. Inverter units adjust their speed to match the heat load instead of cycling on and off at full power. Over those running hours, the electricity savings are substantial. Inverter units are also quieter, which matters in offices, consulting rooms and reception areas.

Step 4: Plan the outdoor units

Commercial buildings often have limited wall space and strict landlord rules. Consider:

• Where outdoor units can go without blocking walkways, parking or loading areas
• Security, as outdoor units can be targets for theft in some areas; cages help
• Dust from roads and yards, which clogs coils
• Access for servicing, ideally without needing scaffolding
• Landlord approval if you rent the premises

Step 5: Check the electrical supply

Several aircons on one property can add a significant load. The distribution board and supply must be able to handle it. Larger installations may need dedicated circuits, which should be installed by a registered electrician who issues a Certificate of Compliance. Factor this into your budget early.

Step 6: Plan maintenance from day one

Commercial units work much harder than home units. Without regular servicing, filters clog, coils get dirty, efficiency drops and breakdowns follow, usually on the hottest day of the year. We recommend:

• Filter cleaning every month by staff or a facilities person
• A professional service every six months, covering coils, drains, gas pressures and electrical connections
• A quick check before summer, so faults are found before the heat arrives

Server rooms and comms cupboards

If you have a server or network cupboard, it needs special attention. Electronic equipment generates heat continuously, day and night, and overheating causes failures and data loss. These spaces often need their own dedicated aircon that runs around the clock, separate from the office units that switch off at night.

Despatch and the industrial areas

The same principles apply to businesses in Despatch and in the industrial areas around Kariega. Workshops and light industrial units often have high ceilings, metal roofs and large roller doors, which make cooling harder. In these spaces, we often focus on cooling specific areas such as offices, break rooms or control rooms rather than the whole workshop.