HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) Innovation

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems play a vital role in ensuring indoor comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency across residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in the UK. As building performance and environmental standards continue to tighten, the HVAC sector is under increasing pressure to deliver smarter, greener, and more efficient solutions.

But improving HVAC systems isn’t just about fitting the latest off-the-shelf units. True innovation involves overcoming technical uncertainties, such as improving energy performance, solving complex control problems, or developing bespoke systems that meet specific building or user requirements. This is where R&D tax relief comes in — supporting UK businesses that push scientific or technological boundaries in the field.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in HVAC system design, engineering, and integration:

Developing High-Efficiency Heating and Cooling Systems

Engineering systems that go beyond conventional technology to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, or operate effectively in challenging environments, such as high-humidity or low-temperature conditions.

Advancing Smart Control and Building Management Integration

Developing advanced control algorithms, sensor networks, or user interfaces that allow HVAC systems to adapt in real time to occupancy levels, external weather conditions, or energy tariffs.

Solving Complex Airflow and Ventilation Challenges

Engineering bespoke ventilation solutions to improve indoor air quality, thermal comfort, or noise control, particularly in buildings with unique architectural or occupancy demands.

Integrating HVAC with Renewable Energy Sources

Developing systems that integrate heat pumps, solar thermal, or other renewable technologies to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, while managing system performance and reliability.

Improving Heat Recovery and Energy Reuse

Creating or refining heat recovery ventilation (HRV) or energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems that capture waste heat and improve overall building energy efficiency.

Enhancing Refrigerant Management and Environmental Impact

Developing low-impact refrigeration systems that use alternative refrigerants, reduce leak risks, or comply with UK regulations on fluorinated gases (F-gases).

Meeting Tight Building Regulations and Performance Standards

Engineering systems to meet evolving UK Building Regulations, such as Part L (energy efficiency) or Part F (ventilation), particularly when this requires bespoke design or technical validation.

Reducing Installation Complexity or Improving System Scalability

Developing modular, prefabricated, or scalable HVAC solutions that are easier to install, maintain, or expand, particularly in retrofit or space-constrained projects.

If your business is tackling projects like these and overcoming technical challenges in the process, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. This incentive helps UK HVAC engineers, manufacturers, and installers recover a portion of their development costs, supporting further investment in smarter, cleaner, and more efficient climate control solutions.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.