Heating Up

Upgrading to modern systems can solve hotel heating woes

By Victor S. Reichstein

Picture this: You’re staying in a hotel in the dead of winter in a city where daytime temperatures barely reach 15° degrees F. Your room has a package terminal air conditioner (PTAC) unite below the window. Despite its best efforts, it can’t keep your room warmer than 60° F. While not unbearable, it’s certainly not ideal, especially if that hotel room is your office for the day.

While PTAC units have their advantages, they can struggle to meet temperature demands when weather is extreme, leaving hotel owners with the choice to forge ahead with their two-pipe systems or to renovate. Wall-hung boilers designed for commercial applications, however, provide a flexible solution for the hospitality sector – one that minimizes disruptions to hotel operations.

A Smooth Transition

Unlike older, floor-standing boilers that require extensive downtime for removal and replacement, wall-hung systems can be phased in seamlessly. If space permits, they can be mounted and connected while legacy systems continue to function.

Their seamless installation minimizes disruption, so hotels can transition to a more efficient system without halting operations or compromising guest comfort. It also allows for real-time performance comparisons, demonstrating the benefits of a new system before committing to a full replacement.

Strategic Solutions

In today’s competitive hospitality landscape, operational efficiency and guest satisfaction go hand in hand. As hoteliers seek innovative solutions to maximize both space and cost-effectiveness, the switch to wall-hung boilers is a strategic choice, one that delivers benefits from spatial optimization to energy savings and scalability.

Space efficiency: In the hospitality industry, every square foot counts. Unlike bulky traditional boilers, wall-mounted units free up valuable floor space. This is especially beneficial for hotels with limited mechanical room capacity or those looking to repurpose existing space. In older buildings where large boiler rooms take up significant square footage, switching to a wall-hung system can open new possibilities for storage, utility space, or even expanded guest services.

Energy efficiency and cost savings: Modern wall-hung boilers are engineered for high performance, with some models achieving up to 95.2 percent gross efficiency. Reduced energy consumption and lower operational costs are a crucial factor for hotel operators looking to optimize budgets. Hotels rely on consistent heating for guest comfort, laundry services, and amenities like pools and spas. The ability to reduce fuel usage while maintaining optimal heat output is a significant advantage.

Scalability and adaptability: Hotels range in size from small boutique inns to massive resorts, each with unique heating demands. Wall-hung boilers can be cascaded together, where multiple units work in sync to handle fluctuating loads efficiently. A modular approach allows for greater redundancy – if one unit requires maintenance, others can continue operating, ensuring uninterrupted service.

Advanced controls and smart monitoring: Many modern wall-hung boiler systems feature smart controls, allowing for remote monitoring, real-time diagnostics, and automated efficiency adjustments. From a laptop or smart phone, facility managers can track performance, detect potential issues, and optimize settings for maximum energy savings. These smart features not only reduce labor costs but also enhance system longevity, preventing costly breakdowns.

And some tankless manufacturers can supply both domestic hot water and space heating within a single system by utilizing indirect tanks, if space exists. While separate systems are often more efficient, this approach can work for hotels looking for a versatile solution in a smaller footprint.

Proven Path to Success

As hotels continue to face rising energy costs and increasing expectations for guest comfort, upgrading to modern wall-hung boilers is a smart investment.

For one hotel, switching to wall-hung boilers led to a 30 percent energy savings in the first year, higher guest satisfaction as rooms remained at more consistent temperatures, and a significant reduction in maintenance costs.

Not only do these systems offer enhanced efficiency, decreased costs, and greater reliability, but they also free up valuable space and integrate seamlessly with existing operations. The ability to install new equipment without immediately dismantling old systems makes them an especially attractive choice for hotels looking to upgrade without major disruptions.

---

Image: vector_v/stock.adobe.com