The Requirements
Infinity Cheer and Dance CIC are a community-based dance and cheerleading organisation located in Preston. Upon moving into their new premises, the customer faced a key challenge: the building had no existing heating system, and the comfort of students during classes, especially in colder months, was at risk.
Customer Requirements
- No existing heating system: The newly acquired premises lacked any form of heating.
- No gas supply: There was no natural gas connection available on site.
- Limited external space: Insufficient room to install an LPG bulk storage tank.
- Available power: 3-phase electricity supply was available.
- High ceilings: A solution was needed to prevent heat loss at ceiling height.
- Usage pattern: Classes were held mainly during evenings and Saturday mornings. The heating system’s primary purpose was to take the chill off the space at the start of sessions rather than operate continuously.
The customer needed an efficient, practical, and cost-conscious heating solution that would make the studio comfortable without driving up energy costs
Our client was particularly interested in the summer ventilation mode that the warm air system would provide especially in the summer months when the outside temperatures would rise.
OKEL’s Solution
After a thorough site assessment, OKEL proposed a 3-phase electric air heating system, the most suitable option given the available power supply and spatial limitations.
To optimise performance and efficiency:
- Destratification fans were installed at ceiling height to circulate warm air evenly throughout the studio, preventing heat from collecting above head level.
- OKEL advised the customer to operate the system for 1–2 hours per day (or slightly longer on colder days) to pre-heat the space rather than running it continuously. This approach provided warmth without excessive electricity use.
Recognising that the upfront cost of a heating system can be significant for a community organisation, Infinity Cheer and Dance chose to take advantage of OKEL’s Green Funding Lease Plan. This option allowed manageable monthly payments to spread over 60 months, helping them invest sustainably in their facility.
It wasn’t necessary to install stand-alone destratification fans as the main ceiling height was less than 5 meters in height and therefore the heater’s integral axial fan would provide the even distribution of warm air throughout the premises without the use of further destratification.
The warm air heater was to be controlled by a multi-functional thermostatic controller which included functionalities such as frost protection, keyboard locking, overtime programme, 10 programmable time blocks, summer ventilation mode and facility to connect to a BMS system
As part of the installation OKEL’s engineers would decommission and remove from site the obsolete Reznor heater situated at the opposite end of the studio.
The Results
The new heating system has transformed the comfort of the Infinity Cheer and Dance studio during the winter months.
Key results include:
- A warm and welcoming environment for students at the start of classes.
- Positive feedback from visitors and neighbouring clubs, many of whom are now exploring similar installations.
- Controlled energy costs, with the customer continuing to follow OKEL’s guidance on efficient operation.
Following the success of the studio installation, OKEL was invited back this year to install a high-efficiency air conditioning system in the on-site café and breakout area. Parents and visitors can now enjoy a comfortable environment while waiting during classes, further enhancing the overall experience at the facility.
Testimonial
“Really impressed with the team at OKEL, we needed heating for an industrial space for our children’s sports club, and from enquiring, the entire process only took about 4 weeks.
Mark talked us through everything to ensure we did what worked best for us.
Katie’s communication was exceptional throughout, and Paul kept us updated with everything as he installed the unit itself, constantly checking in with us and keeping everything very clean & tidy too!
Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.”
Sian Thorley – Business Owner and Head Coach
