Reference_Salm_Palace_CZ_2026_HR
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Air conditioning
Modernizing HVAC in a 17th-Century Landmark
How do you upgrade HVAC system in a protected 17th-century building without disrupting the businesses inside? At Salm Palace, Daikin and installation partner I-THERM upgraded the existing VRV system to current-generation VRV technology designed to improve efficiency compared with older systems, while leaving the interior spaces and most of the existing VRV infrastructure untouched.
Project requirements
Air curtain
Air purification
Controls
Heating
Hot water
Refrigeration
Ventilation
Year of installation
2025
Installed systems
- Daikin VRV IV heat pump system
- Outdoor unit replacement only
Preserving history while supporting modern use
Salm Palace, the largest secular palace in Olomouc, is a registered cultural monument that today houses active commercial spaces across several floors. Behind its 17th-century façade, a Daikin VRV III system had kept those spaces comfortable since 2010.
After 15 years, the system was ready for modernization. But in a protected building filled with commercial tenants, a full replacement would have brought more construction, disruption, and cost. So Daikin and I-THERM took a different path: replace only the outdoor units while keeping the existing indoor units, piping, and interior spaces in place.
The new VRV IV system provides heating and cooling capability and is designed to improve efficiency compared with older equipment. It also supports up to 64 connectable indoor units, more than double the original system’s capacity, providing flexibility for future changes. Certified reclaimed refrigerant is available through Daikin’s L∞P program, helping reduce the need for virgin refrigerant production.
A carefully planned replacement with minimal disruption
Because the work stayed on the rooftop, there was no construction inside the building, and the businesses below remained operational during the replacement process. The core replacement of all six outdoor units was completed in approximately four to five hours.
The project upgraded the building to current-generation VRV technology and is expected to support long-term continued operation of the system, subject to maintenance and operating conditions, while leaving the historic interior untouched and minimizing disruption to daily building operations.
"From our point of view, replacing the VRV units in Salm Palace is an ideal way to modernize an existing cooling or heating system. There's no point in changing a fully functional system when a smooth replacement of the outdoor units, with no construction work, is enough."
Ing. Jan Lakomý, CEO, I-THERM
Preparing one of six VRV III outdoor units for removal.
Pumping out the refrigerant into special containers for recovery and subsequent handling in accordance with applicable regulations.
Electrical work formed part of the system’s testing and commissioning phase.
Could your building be modernized the same way?
Daikin Replacement Technology can upgrade an existing HVAC system with minimal disruption.
