Six years’ worth of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of HVRF and CO₂ heat pumps

Optimal comfort

How do you ensure optimum comfort for hotel guests whilst meeting increasingly stringent sustainability requirements? The Market Hotel by WestCord in Groningen found the answer back in 2019. The hotel opted for Mitsubishi Electric HVRF technology, low-GWP refrigerants and CO₂ heat pumps. Six years on, real-world experience shows that this choice still meets the requirements of both today and tomorrow.

In the hotel industry, comfort, energy efficiency and sustainability are inextricably linked. Guests expect a pleasant indoor climate, whilst hotel owners want to keep energy costs under control and stay ahead of future regulations. A future-proof climate control system was therefore a top priority during the development of The Market Hotel.

Initially, a traditional VRF system was considered. However, the hotel owner had concerns about the level of comfort and potential noise disturbance in the rooms. Ultimately, the City Multi HVRF system from Mitsubishi Electric, supplied by Alklima, was chosen. This technology combines the energy efficiency of VRF with the comfort features of a water-based system.

“Even back then, this was already an innovative solution,” says Gert Veurink, Account Manager/Consultant at Alklima. “And it is precisely this project that now demonstrates that investing in innovative technologies pays off. Even today, the heat pump system continues to meet the user’s requirements and comply with current legislation and regulations perfectly.”

Comfort for every guest

The HVRF heat pump makes it possible to cool or heat each hotel room independently. This allows guests to set their own comfort level, whilst the hotel benefits from an efficient and stable system.

A key advantage is that climate control in the hotel rooms is achieved using water. This minimises temperature fluctuations and ensures smooth regulation. Noise pollution is also prevented because the distribution of gas and liquid takes place centrally within the hybrid BC controllers, rather than in the rooms themselves.

For hotels, where a good night’s sleep is a crucial factor in guest satisfaction, this represents a significant advantage.

Staying ahead of sustainability requirements

The Market Hotel was also an early adopter of R32 as a refrigerant. This refrigerant has a significantly lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) than the widely used R410A.

Within the HVRF system, the refrigerant is contained exclusively between the outdoor units and the hybrid BC controllers. From there, the indoor units are supplied with water. This keeps the refrigerant content to a minimum and ensures the system better complies with current requirements regarding F-gases and safety.

Installation partner HOMIJ – now known as Hanab Installation Technology – also recognises the clear benefits of HVRF. Thanks to its compact design and minimal pipework, the available technical spaces and ceiling heights within the hotel could be utilised efficiently.

Sustainable hot water using CO₂

In addition to the air-conditioning system, the domestic hot water supply has also been made fully sustainable. To this end, two Mitsubishi Electric QAHV CO₂ heat pumps have been installed, combined with four buffer tanks, each with a capacity of 1,000 litres.

According to Marc Kleinhuis, Technical Services Manager at The Market Hotel by WestCord, this system still perfectly meets the hotel’s hot water requirements. “Six years on, the capacity has proved to be exactly sufficient for our guests. What’s more, we can monitor and control the systems remotely, giving us a constant overview of performance, comfort and consumption.”

A tried-and-tested solution

Whilst many sustainable innovations still have to prove themselves, The Market Hotel demonstrates the benefits of long-term practical experience. For six years now, the HVRF heat pump and CO₂ heat pumps have been ensuring a comfortable stay, efficient energy use and a future-proof building system.

For hotels seeking a sustainable climate control solution without compromising on guest comfort, this project in Groningen serves as a compelling real-world example.