HEATING, VENTILATION & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The future of advanced automation in hospitality HVAC systems
For venue operators in the hospitality sector, the performance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is critical to both operational expenditure and guest satisfaction. These systems can account for up to 60% of a venue’s total energy consumption and are therefore prime targets for optimisation. Maria Lushina of ABB Drive Products delves into these challenges and the solutions available
O
ne of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality sector is finding the right balance between guest comfort, operational efficiency, and
sustainability, with rising energy costs, stringent environmental regulations and increasing (customer) service standards weighing on decision makers. As part of innovative solutions aimed at achieving this enhanced performance in HVAC systems, advanced variable speed drives (VSDs) can bring significant reductions in energy consumption while enhancing the overall guest experience. For instance, extreme temperatures and low humidity levels can have a significant negative impact on a guest’s experience in a venue, and their desire to return. VSDs ensure that optimal air purity, temperature, humidity and oxygen levels are maintained, no matter the external conditions.
Leveraging VSDs to optimise HVAC performance
Maintaining required temperature, humidity and low CO2 levels can require large energy consumption in hotels and similar establishments. The need for round-the-clock climate control in environments with fluctuating occupancy, seasonal demand, and varying outdoor temperatures, means these systems are in constant operation.
VSDs are central to improving HVAC
performance in these areas. Unlike traditional systems that operate at a constant speed regardless of demand and use mechanical ways of control like valves and dampers, VSDs adjust the speed of key components – such as fans, pumps, and compressors – based on real- time environmental conditions.
For example, in a hotel, cooling or heating demand can vary throughout the day based on occupancy levels and outdoor temperatures. VSDs can regulate the speed of fans and pumps to match the fluctuating demand, ensuring that power is only used when necessary and that HVAC systems do not consume excess energy during times of low demand.
This dynamic adjustment can lead to a
reduction in energy consumption of 25-40%, depending on the system and building design, resulting in significant energy cost savings. The flexibility of VSDs ensures that HVAC systems are always running at optimal efficiency, responding to changes in guest occupancy and outdoor weather conditions. For large-scale hospitality operations, these savings translate to substantial cost reductions.
A key example is the collaboration between ABB and luxury resort Amanbagh, nestled in the Aravalli Mountain range of Rajasthan, India. By installing more than 50 ABB drives on the air handling units and pumps of the resort’s HVAC system, Amanbagh has been able to save around 30% of its energy annually. This installation delivered significant cost savings as well as supported the hotel’s broader sustainability
initiatives by reducing its carbon footprint. Additionally, another collaboration with the InterContinental Hotel in Madrid enabled the hotel to achieve a 40% reduction in energy consumption by integrating VSD technology into the hotel’s HVAC systems. These successful cases demonstrate the real-world potential of VSDs in improving the efficiency of HVAC systems in large-scale hospitality environments by providing the flexibility to adjust to varying demands.
Extended equipment lifespan and lower maintenance costs
In addition to energy savings, VSDs contribute to the extended lifespan of critical HVAC components, aligning with principles of circularity by promoting the longevity of equipment. Traditional HVAC systems which run at full capacity regardless of actual demand can cause unnecessary wear and tear on compressors, pumps, and fans. By operating HVAC equipment at optimal speeds, but also ensuring soft starts and stops, VSDs reduce mechanical strain and the frequency of breakdowns, which helps prolong the operational life of components and minimises the demand for new materials and resources. This leads to better return on investment for hotel operators, in addition to contributing to a circular economy by promoting durability and reduced waste. VSDs also help reduce system downtime, ensuring that HVAC systems are always operating at their best. This continuous performance is crucial for maintaining guest comfort and meeting building code regulations, especially in large hotels with many rooms and high guest turnover.
In this way, VSDs play a critical role in safety. In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, HVAC systems are essential in controlling smoke and maintaining proper airflow in escape routes. VSDs help to regulate the operation of smoke exhaust fans and pressurization systems, ensuring they run at the necessary speeds for as long as required to facilitate safe evacuations. This capability is crucial for compliance with building codes and safety regulations.
Supporting sustainability and regulatory compliance for buildings
As sustainability becomes an increasingly important focus for the hospitality industry, VSDs also help establishments meet green building certifications and environmental regulations. Whether it’s the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification or other energy efficiency standards, VSDs help ensure that HVAC systems operate efficiently, reducing energy consumption and lowering carbon emissions.
As hospitality venues face growing pressure
from both consumers and regulatory bodies to adopt more sustainable practices, using VSDs in HVAC systems is offers a cost-effective way to achieve sustainability targets without sacrificing guest comfort.
A strategic investment for the future
The integration of advanced drive management systems, such as VSDs, presents a compelling opportunity for hospitality venues to optimise HVAC performance. With growing pressure to reduce carbon footprints while maintaining profitability, VSDs offer a cost-effective solution that aligns operational efficiency with guest satisfaction and regulatory compliance. The future of HVAC systems in hospitality lies in advanced automation, and VSDs are at the forefront of this transformation.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2025 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38
