Why the practice needed a cooling upgrade
The client was a busy medical practice in Wilkoppies, Klerksdorp, with consulting rooms that were getting warm during peak hours and on hot North West afternoons. Staff were working in closed rooms for long periods and patients were arriving in rooms that had not had enough time to cool down properly.
The brief was straightforward. Improve comfort in the consulting rooms, keep the equipment quiet, and make sure the installation did not interfere with appointments. The practice also wanted units that would cope with frequent power interruptions and the stop-start running that comes with load-shedding and generator changeover.
Because this was a medical environment, the finish had to be neat and practical. Pipe routes, drain falls and indoor unit positions all had to be planned so that the rooms stayed clean and easy to maintain.
What we surveyed before we quoted
We completed a site assessment in Klerksdorp and checked each consulting room for room size, sun exposure, ceiling height, wall space and the nearest route for pipe work. We also looked at where condensate could drain without running across paths or into public areas.
The building had a mix of room sizes, so one fixed size would not suit every room. Some rooms were used for short consultations while others held patients for longer periods, which meant the cooling load varied from room to room. We allowed for that in the selection and layout.
- Rooms measured from about 14 m2 to 22 m2
- Indoor units had to sit above eye level, out of the patient flow
- Outdoor units needed safe wall brackets and service access
- Noise levels had to stay low for consultation privacy
We also checked the available electrical supply and advised on clean isolation points for each unit so that future servicing would be simple.
The systems supplied and fitted
We supplied split systems for the consulting rooms, with capacities matched to the size and use of each space. The installed units were low-noise wall splits with inverter control for better running efficiency and steadier temperature control during the day.
Each room received an indoor unit sized for the actual room load, not just the floor area. That matters in a practice where doors open often, patients wait briefly and staff need the room to recover quickly after each consultation. The outdoor units were mounted to allow airflow, service access and protection from dust.
- Wall-mounted indoor units for quiet operation
- Inverter-driven systems for reduced power draw
- High-wall placement for even air distribution
- Proper insulated pipe work and condensate drainage
- Isolators fitted for future maintenance and safety
We also checked the airflow direction in each room so that cold air did not blow directly onto chairs or treatment positions. That small detail makes a real difference in a medical setting.
How the installation was carried out
The job was completed over two weeks, including the initial assessment, supply, installation and commissioning. We planned the work around the practice’s hours so the rooms could stay in use as much as possible. No one wants drills and pipe work running while patients are on site, so the noisier parts were done in short, organised stages.
Our installations team handled the mounting, pipe runs, cabling and condensate drainage. After the systems were fixed in place, we pressure tested the lines, checked for leaks and vacuumed the circuits before charging and commissioning. We then tested each unit through cooling cycles to confirm temperature drop and normal operation.
- Week 1: site assessment and room-by-room sizing
- Week 1 to 2: supply, mounting and pipe work
- Week 2: testing, commissioning and handover
We left the site tidy, labelled the isolators and showed the staff how to use the settings for daily operation and basic energy saving.
Results for patients and staff
Once the systems were running, the practice had a noticeable improvement in room comfort. Consulting rooms reached a stable temperature faster and stayed more comfortable through the afternoon. That made waiting and consultation times easier for patients and reduced the heat load for staff working through full days.
The quieter indoor units also helped the overall feel of the rooms. In a medical practice, background noise matters. Lower noise levels support privacy and make conversations easier without raising voices.
The client also gained better control over maintenance. With proper isolation, accessible pipe work and a clear layout, routine servicing can now be done with less disruption. That is useful in Klerksdorp where summer heat and dust can put extra strain on air-conditioning equipment.
What we would do again on a similar practice project
For a practice like this, we would take the same approach again. Start with a room-by-room assessment, match the capacity to the actual use of each room, and plan the pipe routes before a single hole is drilled. That is the best way to avoid over-sized units, poor drainage and later service issues.
We would also keep prioritising quiet operation, neat wall placement and simple access for maintenance. In a consulting-room setting, those details are not extras, they are part of the job. The result should be a cooler room that still looks professional and works every day without fuss.
For practices in Wilkoppies, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg or the wider North West, that same method suits both new fit-outs and replacement cooling where older equipment no longer keeps up with the heat.
Key facts
| Project location | Wilkoppies, Klerksdorp, North West |
|---|---|
| Client type | Medical practice with consulting rooms |
| Systems installed | Wall-mounted split systems |
| Key capacities | Matched to rooms from about 14 m2 to 22 m2 |
| Project timeline | 2 weeks from assessment to commissioning |
| Services used | Site assessment, new installation, system commissioning, scheduled servicing advice |
