HOTELS & LEISURE


Air quality is vital for the success of the hotel and hospitality industry


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The hotel and hospitality segment plays an important role in the UK economy. Matthew Maleki, hospitality vertical specialist for Carrier Commercial HVAC, discusses the customer expectations of a high quality environment required by hotels and leisure facilities, and how they can overcome them


e’ve all seen the recent wildfire news and pictures of orange smog. Wildfires and high temperature changes are examples of environmental devastation


that has turned the discourse in the global news to the serious problem of air pollution. The sky might not be glowing orange, but even in seemingly fresh air there can be invisible particulates making indoor air even more polluted than outdoors. The COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of the harmful effects of poor air quality, resulting in a growing demand for better quality air in public spaces. As the owners and operators of many of these public spaces, the hospitality industry should take steps to improve air quality inside their premises. If they are to continue to thrive, the hotel and hospitality industry need to prioritise improving air quality for customers and employees.


The challenges hospitality venues face


Rooms with intermittent occupancy, such as those in hotels and other leisure spaces like restaurants and bars, pose the biggest challenge for designing effective air conditioning and ventilation. A heavily polluted outdoor environment along with a high turnover of occupants means rooms in these venues could remain poorly ventilated for some time. This increases the likelihood of issues arising around cleanliness, odours, and disease. Hotels and other catered accommodations where people spend a good deal of time indoors are facing pressure for better filtration and air purification. Poor reviews can negatively impact a hotel’s bottom line.


For business travellers and hotel employees, poor air quality at their hotel could even impact their work. The COGfx Buildingomics Study found that, on average, participants in green-certified buildings saw 26% higher cognitive function scores than those in non-certified buildings. The study also found that workers in high-


performing, green-certified buildings had fewer health symptoms and better perception of the indoor environment compared to similarly high-performing buildings that were not green-certified. Results across the COGfx studies show that, with the right ventilation and filtration strategies in place, buildings can play a significant role in improving cognitive function, health and productivity, while delivering bottom line benefits to businesses and health benefits to society. These findings were proven over time in the lab, across the United States and in buildings around the world.


What can hospitality venue managers do?


Considering the impact on customers, air purification of hospitality spaces needs to be a high priority. HVAC consultants should advise investing in a high-tech air purification system such as Carrier’s new IdroFan® 36XH, a high-efficiency, hybrid hydronic terminal unit specifically designed for hotels and hospitality venues with intermittent occupancy. The new hybrid hydronic terminal system is connected to a high-performance remote air handling unit providing enhanced indoor air quality by delivering filtered, conditioned fresh air to the space. To further enhance indoor air quality and occupant well-being, an integrated carbon dioxide sensor is fitted to the terminal unit. Such systems work to maintain stable, comfortable conditions for guests, while delivering energy-efficient operation, reduced running costs and flexibility for building owners.


Reaping the benefits


With the average person in the UK spending at least 80% of their time indoors , buildings impact our health, safety, security, and performance every day. For hospitality teams, investing in a good-quality air purification system can have a multitude of benefits.


Keeping costs to a minimum


For the hospitality segment, investing in an innovative and efficient air conditioning system will keep costs down, minimise operating costs and increase energy efficiency, while improving guest comfort. One feature that makes the IdroFan 36XH cost- effective is its thermal responsiveness feature. The Active Fan/Boost mode rapidly refreshes room air after a space has been unoccupied, and quickly adjusts the temperature to ideal conditions for guests. The system is able to quickly adapt to a guest’s temperature specifications and doesn’t need to be kept on while rooms are unoccupied, keeping running costs to a minimum.


Keeping guests comfortable and happy


Cleaner indoor air in hospitality spaces and hotel rooms can contribute to a positive experience for guests. If guests enjoy their stay or visit, they are more likely to return. Hotels and restaurants can communicate the benefits of clean air in their venue and demonstrate to guests that they are prioritising their health and wellbeing to help boost business.


12 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2023


Installing units a hybrid hydronic terminal unit will allow hospitality venues to maintain stable, comfortable conditions for guests. When connected to a high-performance air handling unit, it provides enhanced indoor air quality by delivering filtered, conditioned fresh air to the space. The Eco/Quiet and Comfort/Quiet modes are ideal for nighttime use when low sound is required to aid restful sleep and support guest well-being.


Reducing missed workdays


Indoor air quality influences health and performance in profound ways. Even small effects on cognitive function and health can translate into substantial short- and long-term benefits. When you consider that 90 per cent of the costs in a building are associated with the people inside – including salaries and benefits – the ability to improve cognitive performance and reduce infectious disease transmission, sick building symptoms and missed workdays through improved indoor air quality is powerful. Focusing on improving indoor air quality can also help address labour shortages in the hospitality segment. In UK hospitality,1 in 10 roles are vacant. Unfilled positions effect current staff, quite often resulting in working longer hours. Improving indoor air quality can help protect employees from the harmful effects of indoor pollution.


Improving sustainability credentials


The design of Carrier’s system combines the efficiency of air induction ventilation with the high heating and cooling capacity of a fan coil and when outdoor conditions are favourable, the system offers free-cooling, further enhancing its energy-efficiency in cooling mode and during night-time operation. It is backed by a certified Product Environmental Profile, useful for building sustainability assessments for certification standards such as BREEAM and LEED.


Time to improve air quality


New and improved HVAC technology makes it easier than ever to integrate air quality control solutions in the large commercial spaces of all types owned and operated by hotels and hospitality companies. Improving indoor air quality is a way to elevate operations, influence the customer experience, and provide a worthwhile way to increase profitability without sacrificing quality.


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