Picking the right system for heating, ventilation and air conditioning can help conserve energy and control energy spends
BY S IYER
A sound HVAC system is essential to regulate the temperature in and around a hotel — a feature that can make or break a hotel’s image. Retrofitting HVAC systems can help hotels be socially and environmentally more responsible. With a heightened awareness amongst hoteliers and owners to conserve energy, the demand for energy conserving solutions is also on the rise. We look at how properties are reducing energy consumption and the steps taken for conservation. Various solution providers who are part of energy conserving practices across the hospitality industry also share their insights.
A lot goes into designing an efficient HVAC system, of which the three most important elements are energy and water conservation, and indoor air quality.
Besides, HVAC can be combined with other systems such as control systems to achieve efficacy. A successful HVAC system includes right design, purchase, operation and maintenance. Some key factors include maximisation of operational and space efficiency, architecture of the building (materials being used, façade design), diversity of operations (guest stay or banquet halls for exhibitions/functions), reliability of system for better life, easy serviceability and spare parts availability. Umesh Kumar, product manager, EBT-system AC, Samsung India Electronics Ltd, explains, “Maintaining the desired acoustic level with the ideal equipment selection, integration with central BMS (building management system), aesthetics and ease of use are key components of a successful HVAC system.”
Approximately 40% of the energy consumption in a property can be attributed to HVAC. Inverter-based technology that adapts to varying heat loads, due to factors like occupancy level, equipment load, etc., help save energy.
Kumar adds, “Systems like Samsung’s DVM use renewable sources of energy to fulfill air-conditioning needs. Other advancements include modifying the size of indoor and outdoor units to provide space saving benefits. With modular systems available, installation can happen in different phases, during the tenure of the total project.”
The Indian weather conditions, as we know, solicit that we take into account many factors at the outset of designing buildings. A lot of factors, which may not impact the premises in the short run, but might in the long run, are at least visualised and planned for.
Sanjay Goyal, senior vice president, light commercial air-conditioning and VRV systems business, Daikin Air Conditioning India, clarifies, “Air-conditioning is no longer a luxury for effective commercial buildings design. Commercial air-conditioning installation is regarded as a tailored solution, and each is unique to the complexity and demands of the project.”
Factors that help in choosing the right system include energy efficiency of system, green refrigerant for environment protection, space utilisation, life expectancy of the system, lifecycle cost, redundancy of system, reliability of system for better life, etc. According to Neeraj Gupta, general manager, sales and marketing, Living Environment Division, “Mitsubishi Electric VRF system enables guests to set a temperature from 19°C in cooling and 16°C in heating as per individual needs. This flexibility along with the adaptability to occupancy and ambient conditions can lead to power conservation. Air-conditioning systems can cost about Rs 80,000 to Rs 100,000 per room.”
Replacement due to wear and tear depends on the type of HVAC system. Goyal elaborates, “While technologies that can be retrofit and upgraded can be easily maintained, others can be cumbersome. However, there are solutions that solicit a comprehensive overhauling, should the demand and usage from the establishment change.”
Gupta says, “It is necessary to clean filters of indoor units once a week and outdoor unit coils once in two weeks during summer.”
At one point methods such as multiple compressors based chillers, Variable Frequency Drive based chillers and pump motors were popular. HVAC systems are moving from the high-maintenance dependent chiller systems to inverter-based VRF systems. VRF system doesn’t require an operator and dedicated machinery room for keeping the chillers, pumps, and panels. LG has introduced a series in combination with AHUs, ducted units, cassettes etc. The company also has hydro kits and claims this integrated approach has reduced the power consumed by air-conditioners.
In addition, more improvements are being done to move to next generation systems. For example, heat recovery models for simultaneous heating and cooling of different zones by absorbing heat from one area and dissipating in another area is possible with one system, without additional power consumption. “With Smart Controllers, one can closely monitor different parameters like scheduling, using the internet for remote management and compatibility with BMS systems,” adds Kumar.
Reduction in CO2 emissions through expanding energy saving technologies is regarded as a green alternative. And this is achieved by adopting the most balanced refrigerant, HFC32. Goyal elucidates, “This is the next generation refrigerant patented by Daikin that can protect ozone layer while providing an ecologically responsible HVAC solution.”
Ecopower is an energy saving specialist company that offers modern cutting-edge technologies for saving power on lighting and air conditioning and hence directly assist hotels improve their carbon footprint. “Air-conditioning accounts for 70-75% of the energy bill. And we offer amazing technologies for power saving in air-conditioning. All our solutions can be retrofitted to existing equipment and no modification or changes to equipment are required to benefit from our devices,” says Dileep Patel, MD, Ecopower. Claiming a 10% reduction in power bills in central AC chiller plants and 20-25% in window, split, ductable and package AC systems, Ecopower is the exclusive distributor of Aircosaver and Smartcool technologies that save power on AC plants.
Efficient planning of HVAC system is irrefutably important to a hotel property and its design. This is more so because energy spends constitute to about 10-15% of the total revenue. Therefore, hoteliers who invest in energy-efficient systems will receive the dual benefit of energy and cost conservation.
