Toshiba Quad-Split Replacement in Biot
A Complete System Upgrade at a Hilltop Villa Near Sophia-Antipolis
Perched on the hills above Sophia-Antipolis, the village of Biot is home to some of the most charming residential properties on the French Riviera. Stone-built villas with panoramic views, surrounded by pine trees and Mediterranean gardens — it is the kind of setting where comfort matters, and where a reliable air conditioning system is not a luxury but a necessity.
When the owner of a hilltop villa in Biot contacted Prestige Air, his existing multi-split air conditioning system had been struggling for two seasons. The outdoor unit was noisy, the indoor units were losing efficiency, and the refrigerant — an older-generation gas — was becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to source. Rather than continuing to patch an ageing system, the client decided it was time for a full replacement.
Assessing the Existing Installation
Our technician visited the property in Biot to carry out a detailed assessment before quoting. The existing system was a quad-split of a previous generation — four wall-mounted indoor units connected to a single outdoor condensing unit. The refrigerant pipework ran through walls and ceiling voids, with the outdoor unit positioned on an upper terrace.
The key question was whether the existing pipework and cable runs could be reused, or whether a complete new installation would be required. After thorough inspection and pressure testing, we confirmed that the copper pipe runs were still in good condition and could be adapted — saving the client significant disruption and cost.
The Solution: Toshiba Quad-Split with Yukai Indoor Units
Based on the property layout, room sizes, and the client’s expectations, we recommended a brand-new Toshiba quad-split system — a perfect match for a four-room villa requiring independent climate control in each zone.
System Specifications
Outdoor Unit
Toshiba Quad-Split
Cooling: 8 kW | Heating: 9 kW
Energy label: A++ (cooling & heating)
Refrigerant: R32 (low GWP)
Indoor Units (×4)
Toshiba Yukai 2 kW
Cooling: 2 kW | Heating: 2.5 kW
Dimensions: 288 × 770 × 225 mm
Compact wall-mounted design
The Toshiba Yukai range was the ideal choice here: compact enough to blend discreetly into the interior of a Provençal villa, yet powerful enough to deliver consistent comfort in rooms of up to 25 m². The outdoor unit, rated A++ in both cooling and heating, uses R32 refrigerant — a next-generation gas with a significantly lower global warming potential than the R410A it replaced.
Step-by-Step: How We Carried Out the Replacement
1️⃣
Decommissioning the old system
The existing outdoor and indoor units were disconnected and the old refrigerant was recovered by our certified technician in compliance with F-Gas regulations. All equipment was removed and disposed of responsibly.
2️⃣
Adapting the existing pipework
The refrigerant lines were extended and adapted under protective trunking to accommodate the new outdoor unit position — lowered from the upper terrace for reduced noise impact and easier future maintenance access.
3️⃣
Installing four Yukai indoor units
Each of the four Toshiba Yukai units was wall-mounted and connected to the pipework. A condensate pump was fitted to each unit under discreet trunking, ensuring reliable drainage even where gravity fall was limited.
4️⃣
Commissioning & handover
After vacuum testing and charging with R32 refrigerant, the full system was commissioned: each zone was tested independently in cooling and heating modes. The client received a complete walkthrough of the remote controls.
🔍 The Detail That Made the Difference
During the decommissioning phase, our technician noticed that the electrical supply cable feeding the outdoor unit was undersized for the new system’s requirements. The existing cable, which had been adequate for the older unit, would not have safely handled the peak current draw of the new Toshiba quad-split — particularly during cold-start conditions on winter mornings.
Rather than proceed and risk nuisance tripping or, worse, cable overheating, our technician flagged the issue immediately and ran a new, correctly rated power cable from the distribution board to the outdoor unit, properly protected in UV-resistant conduit along the exterior wall.
It was a precaution that another installer might have overlooked — but at Prestige Air, we consider electrical safety non-negotiable. The client was informed of the finding and the work was included at no additional cost.
Warranties and Aftercare
3 yrs
Parts warranty
3 yrs
Labour warranty
5 yrs
Compressor warranty
All warranties subject to annual maintenance by a certified QualiPAC professional.
We also recommended an annual maintenance contract to keep the system running at peak efficiency, protect the warranty, and catch any issues early — particularly important for a property that is not occupied year-round.
Why Choose Prestige Air for Air Conditioning in Biot?
Biot sits at the crossroads between the coast and the technology park of Sophia-Antipolis, surrounded by Antibes, Valbonne, Villeneuve-Loubet, and the hills of the arrière-pays. It is a village where many homeowners — both French and international — expect a level of service that matches the quality of their property.
At Prestige Air, we work regularly in Biot, Antibes, Valbonne, Mougins, Cannes, Grasse, Vallauris, and across the wider Riviera. Our team handles Toshiba, Daikin, Mitsubishi, and Hitachi systems, from simple split installations to complex multi-zone projects. Every job is carried out to the highest standard, with full certification and transparent pricing.
Looking to replace or install air conditioning in Biot?
Serving Biot, Antibes, Valbonne, Mougins, Cannes and the entire French Riviera.