Climate control upgrade for mixed-use retail site
15 June 2026
A refurbishment project at a builders’ merchant and retail centre in Devon has seen the installation of new air conditioning systems from MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES.
The installation comprises seven 10kW MHI ceiling cassette air conditioning units connected to four outdoor units. The system design included a dedicated 10kW split system serving a barber shop, two twin-split systems covering the main retail area, and a further twin-split arrangement for the café space. The equipment was fitted with an exposed industrial-style finish because there was no suspended ceiling grid available to conceal pipework and associated services.
The work formed part of a wider redevelopment following the acquisition of the business by Crediton Milling Company in 2024. The installation was designed to provide separate temperature control for the café, retail and barber shop areas, replacing reliance on older oil-based heating arrangements in parts of the building.
Ashley Cann, founder and director of Crediton-based Kirton Air Conditioning, designed the solution. He says: “The systems are performing beyond expectations, and the customer is happy with the flexibility they provide. The café area can be kept at a comfortable temperature for customers, while the shop floor can be left to range slightly, but kept within limits. The barber shop functions as an independent system, which they’re also happy with.”
