A Chiller cooling system halves energy consumption
Chiller is a major supplier of cooling systems to hotels. The company’s systems have been installed in numerous hotels in the Nordic region. In 2017, Hotel Tartu’s cooling system was replaced with Chiller cooling units.
Selection criteria for the hotel’s solution
At hotels, a pleasant indoor climate plays a significant role in customer satisfaction. Low sound levels, steady temperatures, and draught-free conditions contribute to a pleasant atmosphere in the rooms. This is important to hotel owners because happy guests return and are also likely to recommend the location to others. On the other hand, energy consumption creates major costs, and its optimisation is particularly important for hotels.
In conjunction with the renovation of its premises, Hotel Tartu’s outdated cooling system was upgraded to a Chiller solution. Even though its occupancy rate was high even before the renovation, the hotel wanted to invest in the comfort of its rooms, in response to increasing competition in the accommodation industry.
During the selection process, two model rooms were built at the hotel, where potential suppliers’ devices were installed for test use. Chiller’s Grand fan coil units and VariPro automation technology were selected for the cooling solution because of their low sound levels, energy-efficiency, ease of maintenance, and modern in-room control system with touchscreen. The solution was complemented by a heat-recovery system, which enables the efficient use of energy. While the procurement price of Chiller’s solution was not the lowest, the savings that could be created during its installation and its energy- and cost-efficient operation swayed the hotel owner’s decision.
Chiller’s energy-efficient cooling systems
The excellent energy-efficiency of a Chiller cooling system stems from its VariPro automation technology, Grand fan coil units, and heat-recovery system, which were optimised for the hotel’s application. The energy-saving VariPro automation technology controls the fan speed, water flow rate, and radiant heating, while also detecting when a window is opened. The automation system and the coil’s pressure-independent valve keep the water flow constant, which reduces pumping costs. The control mechanism for the radiant heating is connected to the system, preventing simultaneous heating and cooling. If a window gets opened, a sensor system tells the automation system to switch off the cooling. In addition, waste energy generated by cooling compressors is captured with the heat-recovery system and utilised in underfloor heating and the heating of water.
Halving of energy consumption
The Hotel Tartu complex consists of two buildings. In the first stage of the project, the cooling system in only one section of the complex was replaced. Over the two-year follow-up period, energy consumption in the renovated portion was cut in half.
More positive feedback
Reviews of Hotel Tartu can be viewed on the Booking.com website, where guests can offer both positive and negative feedback. After the renovation, the percentage of positive feedback increased significantly. Guests have praised the hotel’s comfort levels, quietness, and easy-to-adjust room temperature.
Excellent service
Senior engineer Heiki Lepik is extremely happy with how smoothly the project went, the service provided by Chiller, and the benefits achieved with the renovation. He was assigned a contact person who was on hand to offer assistance with technical questions throughout the project. The project is going to continue, in stages, as the old systems in the other part of the hotel complex too get replaced with Chiller’s solutions.
Captions:
A guest made a complaint to the hotel. Inspecting the hotel room in response to this, Senior Engineer Heiki Lepik asked what the problem was. The guest replied that the cooling system couldn’t be on, because the room was so quiet. When Lepik asked the guest to climb onto a chair and feel the cool air flowing through the grille, the guest was surprised and slightly embarrassed.
The fan coil unit’s filter is easy to clean by simply hoovering it via the grille, which is equipped with hinges.
