COVER STORY
Radisson Hotel Verified Net Zero with Carrier’s AquaSnap® 61AQ
Graham Smith, commercial director UK&I at Carrier Commercial HVAC shares what the future of low-carbon hospitality looks like with Carrier’s latest innovation, the AquaSnap® 61AQ, which was recently installed at the Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre – the UK’s first hospitality venue to benefit from this new technology
F
or hotel operators, the challenge is clear: how to maintain comfort and operational efficiency while meeting ambitious Net Zero targets. Heat pumps, once seen as niche, are now moving centre
stage – offering reliable, high-temperature performance that can replace gas without compromise.
An urgent call to decarbonising the hospitality sector
As efforts to combat climate change intensify, the decarbonisation of commercial properties remains a challenge. Transitioning away from fossil fuel-based heating systems to sustainable alternatives is no longer optional but a necessity. The urgency of the decarbonisation challenge cannot be overstated. Buildings account for just over a third of global energy- related carbon emissions , making innovative HVAC solutions essential to achieving climate targets. Heating systems, in particular, reliant on gas or oil, represent a key area for innovation and improvement.
As building owners seek to reduce their carbon footprint, high-performance heat pumps are emerging as a compelling solution, especially those that can deliver reliable performance in colder climates and meet the high temperature demands of commercial and industrial properties. With pressure from government policy and
growing demand for sustainable solutions, high- performance heat pumps offer a positive path forward for many commercial and industrial building owners. The transition is not without complexity, but with careful planning and the right technologies, it is increasingly within reach.
The AquaSnap® 61AQ air source heat pump
The AquaSnap® 61AQ is Carrier’s latest high- temperature air source heat pump, and it’s been specially designed to work with the natural refrigerant R-290 – helping its customers meet their sustainability goals. It’s a big step forward for sustainable heating, combining advanced technology with Carrier’s decades of expertise. Plus, it delivers impressive energy efficiency, reduces environmental impact with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 0.02, and performs reliably in temperatures down to -25°C. What really makes the AquaSnap® 61AQ stand out is its versatility. Its four 120kW modular units, providing a combined 480 kW of heating capacity, operate with noise levels significantly below regulatory thresholds and integrate seamlessly with existing building systems. Each unit is equipped with inverter-driven compressors and variable-speed fans, enabling the system to modulate based on demand, which significantly improves seasonal efficiency, supports energy savings and reduces wear.
The 61AQ not only exceeds Ecodesign efficiency standards by up to 30% but also operates at noise levels 10 dB(A) below regulatory thresholds.
Whether it’s a hotel, a hospital, or another commercial setting, it’s built to support the global drive for decarbonisation and offers a clean, efficient alternative to traditional fossil- fuel systems. It’s Carrier’s vision for a greener, more energy-efficient future brought to life. Safety was a top priority in designing the AquaSnap® 61AQ. The unit minimises refrigerant volume by limiting the charge per circuit to 4 kg. All refrigerant-containing components are housed within ventilated enclosures to reduce ignition risks. The smart and comprehensive engineering design further reduces the volume of refrigerant in the piping and isolates all refrigerant-containing elements in a protective enclosure. This enclosure prevents direct contact with electrical components or potential sources of ignition. The AquaSnap® 61AQ was designed with the whole picture in mind – not just how it’s used, but how it’s made, transported and serviced. By thinking through every stage of its lifecycle, Carrier has demonstrated how important safety is, from assembly to installation and ongoing maintenance.
The Radisson Hotel’s journey to Net Zero
Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre is a premium hospitality destination located in the heart of the city. As part of its Net Zero commitment, the hotel was looking for a high-efficiency, low-emission heating system that could meet the building’s space heating and domestic hot water demands without compromising guest comfort. Overall, the hospitality sector is responsible for more than 8 million tonnes of CO2e per year, with a London-based hotel emitting an average of 11.4g CO2e per room, per night. This indicates a clear need for a reduction in emissions, a challenge the Radisson was prepared to undertake.
The Radisson’s dedication has paid off, and it is now a Verified Net Zero property, committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions through meaningful, low-carbon interventions, including a full upgrade of its heating system. The hotel initially specified an earlier- generation heat pump from Carrier’s 61 range, but in early 2025, Carrier designed the new AquaSnap® 61AQ to work specifically with refrigerant R-290. With a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just 0.02, the 61AQ offered a step-change in environmental performance compared to older refrigerants.
Recognising the opportunity to push further in its sustainability journey, consultants at [PS]K
10 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER NOVEMBER 2025
Design helped the hotel revise its specification to adopt the new technology, a move that would eliminate reliance on gas, support Verified Net Zero status and align with the 2040 Net Zero Methodology for Hotels. “This project represents one of the first
real-world applications of a newly launched R290 air source heat pump, delivered through close collaboration between Radisson, Carrier, [PS]K and Nationwide Air Conditioning,” said Daniel Valente, Head of Projects, Nationwide Air Conditioning. The project came with operational and engineering challenges. Each of the four 120 kW modular heat pump units had to be crane-lifted at night onto the roof of the fully operational city-centre hotel. This required close coordination between stakeholders to minimise disruption to guests and city-centre traffic.
Performance delivered with minimal disruption
The result has seen the Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre benefit from an efficient heating system that aligns with its long- term sustainability ambitions while enhancing operational efficiency. The system delivers reliable high-temperature
performance, producing domestic hot water at up to 75°C, even during winter conditions, ensuring uninterrupted comfort for guests. With advanced inverter-driven compressors and smart load modulation, the installation offers enhanced energy efficiency, achieving seasonal savings and exceeding Ecodesign efficiency requirements by up to 30%. The integration with Carrier’s Abound HVAC
Performance platform provides the hotel’s engineering team with real-time monitoring, diagnostics and predictive maintenance tools, which help to reduce downtime and extend the system’s lifespan.
Crucially, the new heat pump system has enabled the elimination of gas-fired heating, supporting Radisson’s Verified Net Zero status and its broader decarbonisation goals. “We’ve worked hard to be a Verified Net Zero hotel at our Manchester City Centre location,” said Simon Pearson, Area Engineering Director – UK and Ireland, Radisson Hotel Group. “We use 100% renewable energy, offer low-carbon menus and now have a heating system that enhances our energy efficiency and reduces our carbon footprint while maintaining our high standards for guest comfort.” If you would like to find out more about how Carrier can support your decarbonisation goals, please visit
https://aquasnap61aq.com/en
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
