HVAC and Extractor Systems

The hotel HVAC system ensures safe and healthy conditions are maintained with respect to air quality, ideally using fresh air from outdoors. Guests will not feel comfortable if exposed to extreme temperatures, smoke, odours or toxic air. The hotel HVAC systems are designed to localise and extract unwanted air from specific points in the building layout so that the rest of the hotel remains fee of air pollutants. The extracted by- product is then transported via the duct system to a designated point for further bio- degrading or release. The HVAC system also plays a vital role in the hotel fire control system, ventilation and air conditioning system.

The energy monitoring must not only take air handling and pumping through the duct network into account but also the chiller plant energy, all fan energy (supply and exhaust), and heating hot water pump energy where applicable. Careful monitoring and tweaking of the system can reduce speed in air handling and pumping applications without compromising the required output of the system.

One of the most important factors in maintaining high performance HVAC systems is to implement a strategy that continuously commissions the system. All too often, the system is run as a fixed installation at one speed from inception without performance reviews or exploring option on performance improvement and /or energy savings. The ideal situation is to have real time measurement and verification via remote monitoring.

What you need to know:

Design is key to optimal efficiency. Avoid a complex network duct system with limited access. Ideally the entire system should be exposed but networked outside of main work areas.
The HVAC system must deploy the correct drive to suit demand. In order for this to happening on an on-going basis, operation settings must be flexible and programmable according to specific area requirements
The system must have the ability to deploy only in areas where required and switched off in areas of the hotel network where extraction not required
A multidirectional system with forward and reverse speed ensures flexibility and allows adjustments for future planning and fire control requirements
The hotel HVAC system is usually designed within the overall fire prevention plan. It is vitally important that the system is designed to provide a smoke free escape by accurately maintaining the air pressure along the designated escape routes
Match capacity to the required performance. Deploy lower-cost variable-speed drives in smaller sized systems.
High-efficiency motors are an option that would reduce fan and pump power in all applications.
There are a number of advanced management and monitoring systems which can be retrofit to existing HVAC systems
Explore the option of high-efficiency fans which can impact on energy use. Fan design does have an impact on load efficiencies
Sensor activation (light switch or door) limits continual function and reduces electricity consumption
The system can be exposed as a design feature