The hospitality sector, like many others, is undergoing a radical shift regarding its sourcing and consumption of energy for heating and cooling. Circumstances both locally and internationally – such as rising electricity prices in South Africa and potential gas supply shortages in Europe – are pressuring operators to get with the times and consider new means to deliver the luxury experience consumers expect. There’s a push to become sustainable and more energy efficient.

According to the International Energy Agency, in 2021, global heat pump sales grew by nearly 15% – double the average of the last decade – while the technology met around 10% of the world’s space heating needs that same year. Although heat pumps already serve as a popular source of heating in countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Finland, sales and the pace of installation are growing rapidly worldwide. In fact, heat pumps are predicted to meet 20% of global heating needs by 2030.

Quality space heating requires a dynamic and intelligent approach. By integrating heat pump solutions with other HVAC technologies and understanding their impact, hotels and other accommodation venues can get the best value from their systems, reduce their emissions footprint, and provide ideal comfort to guests and visitors.

The future is clean and integrated

The global shift away from fossil fuels for energy generation is bringing the spotlight onto commercial building operators and their individual efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and emissions. However, due to costs and operational factors, businesses might not relish installing systems, beyond those that are already in place, in order to meet expectations. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

With HVAC systems, building operators benefit from a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system that provides air conditioning and heating through a single solution. Without the use of ducts, and scalable according to the size and needs of individual businesses, VRF systems utilise inverter compressor technology to achieve a high level of energy efficiency, while maintaining consistent performance. VRF solutions also pose fewer installation obstacles owing to their build, meaning they can be retrofitted to older structures. And, in the case of carbon footprint, VRF and heat pump systems represent a reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to condensing gas boilers.

The solution in practice

We can already see the impact of heat recovery systems and pumps in the hospitality sector and how they can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure, while cutting down on energy. For example, the Troyeville Hotel in Johannesburg saw a dramatic decrease in its annual gas bill by installing a heat pump to supply hot water to its kitchen. Overseas, a study of 140 hotels in Norway and Sweden found that the establishments with heat pumps use 20% less electricity for heating per square metre. It also found the use of heat pumps in hotels could cut energy consumption by 60%.

Hospitality operators need to consider the solutions that best suit them. The LG Hydro Kit is an ideal option; it’s a heat recovery and energy reduction system that can recover heat from HVAC systems and reuse it to supply hot water to amenities such as bathrooms, kitchens, heated pools, and spas. When combined with an LG Multi V integrated solution, the Hydro Kit makes it possible for accommodation venues to achieve reduced operating costs and lower CO₂ emissions than an equivalent traditional gas or oil boiler system. Heat from indoor HVAC units goes unwasted and repurposed to meet the additional heating needs of the establishment in question. The result is a warm indoor environment and reliable hot water supply, all integrated into the building’s infrastructure and seamlessly working with other HVAC systems.

Energy efficiency and sustainability are quickly becoming the hallmarks of every successful business. With advanced solutions such as VRF systems and Hydro Kits, hotels are transforming the way they consume and manage energy, while reflecting the trends important to consumers and the industry at large.