Hotel HVAC Systems – What Are My Options? Part 1

Hotel HVAC Systems – What are my options? – Part 1

Hotel owners estimate that hotel guestroom energy consumption accounts for approximately 40% to 80% of total building energy use. This is a very high percentage of a hotel’s operating budget so guestroom HVAC systems are not something that should be taken lightly. We often field questions about what HVAC system is right for a hotel so we thought it would be valuable to prepare a newsletter series to explore and discuss these options with you.

In upcoming newsletters, I will introduce the three most popular guestroom HVAC options for midscale, select service brands, so that you can choose the most efficient system for your next hotel project. For a better visual, we have created graphical prototypes for three different options (systems) for the same hotel guestroom.

1. PTAC (Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner) – A single-unit (packaged system) combination air-conditioner and heat pump.

2. VTAC (Vertical Terminal Air Conditioner) – A compact through-the-wall packaged system, capable of providing total heating and cooling functions for single zones or multiple rooms.

3. VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) – A single outdoor condensing unit connected to many indoor units, like fan coil units at entry foyers or bathrooms. VRF Units can simultaneously heat and cool different zones, by individually controlled refrigerant flow to different evaporators (Indoor Units).

Hotel owners and operators should carefully evaluate not only the upfront and operating costs but also the final guest experience each of these options provides. In upcoming newsletters, I will discuss the benefits and challenges of each option so that you can make an educated decision on the right system for your next hotel.