Village Hall, Suffolk Case study
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In the Suffolk countryside, Hollesley Village Hall stands as a vital community hub for over 7,000 residents across the peninsula area. This popular local venue was built in the 1950s and is still well used today. But it faced a modern challenge: how to keep a large space with high ceilings warm without driving up costs or harming the environment. With seven outdated plug-in electric heaters and soaring energy bills, it was time for a change. Thanks to a grant-funded upgrade and the expertise of installer Ash from Clima-tech, Daikin was able to offer a smart air-to-air solution.
A rural hub with a modern outlook
Hollesley Village Hall is far more than its name might suggest. “People hear ‘village hall’ and think of doilies and dusty curtains but we’re nothing like that,” laughs Gerry Bathe, Chair of the Trustees. “We’ve got Pilates, art classes, Tai Chi, wakes, weddings, and even 100-mile endurance walkers collapsing here after their long walks!”
Funding progress on a green agenda
Keen to cut costs, improve heating efficiency and lower carbon emissions, Gerry and her team set out to secure funding. “We couldn’t have done it without grant support,” she explains. “We had help from the National Lottery, our local East Suffolk Council, and even the solar panelling on the roof was funded through the Prince’s Trust Fund.”
Finding the right fit
Selecting the right heating system was a critical step. “We explored various options,” says Gerry. “Ash from Clima-tech stood out. He knew his stuff, wasn’t pushy, and his quote was competitive, if not the cheapest. Everything felt right.”
We do use other brands, but Daikin is our go-to partner,” he says. “Great range, excellent performance, and crucially, UK-based support with uncomplicated parts availability. That’s vital when you're working with community spaces that can’t afford downtime.”
Ashley Shemmings of Clima-tech
Savings that stack up
Before the upgrade, the hall’s monthly winter energy costs were very high and now they’re holding steady at around £400 per month in winter. “Yes, energy prices have risen, but without this system, we’d be paying a lot more – probably as much as £600 or £700 per month in the cold season.” Gerry says. “Our energy broker confirms that usage has gone down, despite the price hikes.”
Ash further explains the key to savings: “Those old electric radiators were domestic units used in a commercial setting. They were on constantly, which was costing a fortune. With Daikin’s air-to-air system, you get rapid heat, even in a big space like this, without a constant drain on the electric – and their bank balance.”
