The Challenge
An aerospace manufacturer approached us approximately six months before moving into a new state-of-the-art factory in Bedfordshire.
As the building was designed with sustainability in mind, the customer wanted a heating system that would complement the site’s environmental credentials. A traditional gas-fired system was therefore not considered.
The building also had excellent modern insulation properties, meaning heat would be retained effectively. Of the building’s five shutter doors, only one would be regularly used, with the remaining four being closed off.
The customer was focused on long-term operating costs rather than simply the lowest initial installation cost, creating an opportunity to invest in a more energy-efficient heating solution.
The Solution
We proposed the QWIKSHIFT QSE, an all-electric hybrid heating system combining heat booster and heat pump technology.
The key advantage of the QSE is its ability to operate as a heat pump once conditions allow. In heat pump mode, it can provide up to 4kW of heat for every 1kW of electricity consumed, significantly reducing potential running costs compared with conventional electric heating.
The system therefore provided the customer with an electric heating solution that aligned with the sustainability objectives of the new facility while offering strong long-term energy efficiency.
Supporting the Heating System
To maximise the efficiency of the installation, we also incorporated:
High-level destratification fans to return warm air from roof level to the occupied space.
An overhead air curtain above the single shutter door in regular use to minimise heat loss when the door is opened.
With the other four shutter doors remaining closed, this helped further reduce unnecessary heat loss from the building.
The Result
The heating system was designed specifically around the characteristics of the new building.
Its high levels of insulation, limited shutter-door usage and the customer’s long-term approach to energy costs all made an all-electric heat pump-based solution an attractive option.
By combining the QWIKSHIFT QSE with destratification and an air curtain, we were able to provide a system designed to reduce energy consumption, minimise heat loss and complement the building’s sustainable design.
The system was successfully installed in May 2026, ready for the customer’s move into their new state-of-the-art facility.
The project provided the aerospace manufacturer with a modern, all-electric heating solution designed around long-term efficiency, sustainability and reduced operating costs.
Heating Designed for the Future
This project demonstrates how modern heating technology can support the sustainability goals of a new building without compromising on performance.
By selecting the QWIKSHIFT QSE, supported by destratification and an air curtain, we delivered an all-electric heating solution designed to make the most of the building’s excellent thermal performance while helping minimise long-term energy costs.
