Project Overview
The phase out of R22 refrigerant posed many issues for The Bloomsbury Hotel. As a well-established hotel in the heart of London, the main priority was to maintain and improve customer comfort, reduce any disruption and to increase energy efficiencies.
Client Information
The Doyle Collection brings together a select group of urban havens in six major cities. Eleven hotels of contrasting character share a single aim: to provide guests with a modern interpretation of genuine hospitality and professional service.
Project Budget
£825,000.00
Project Details
Daikin VRVQ ‘R22 Replace’ technology was selected to replace the existing air conditioning systems.
Daikin VRVQ systems allowed the existing pipework to be reused, which was an important factor as most of the services are now enclosed in the building fabric. The ability to reuse the pipework and associated cables reduced the installation works and associated disruption. By using this method, the refurbishment works were isolated to the hotel bedrooms and external plant space, assisting in the control of noise, dust and hiding away the works from the rest of the guests.
Work was carried over a 9 month period with the installation of 212No replacement air conditioning units in bedrooms, meeting spaces and public areas (including the reception, bar and restaurant) without any disruption.
Since commissioning and handover, the Hotel has experienced a sharp fall in customer complaints as the operation noise of the new equipment has been improved. The operational costs have reduced both service and maintenance cost as well as a reduction in energy use, without compromising the comfort of the guests and maintaining a high level of room revenue.
Energy saving is currently 26% for the whole hotel on a month by month comparison. As this saving has been attributed to the air conditioning upgrade, the actual savings on the air conditioning running costs have reached up to 42% using a year on year comparison, exceeding the proposed 30% savings.
Project Description
The project required the replacement of 212No Daikin VRV fan coil units linked to 28No Daikin VRV condensing units and 8No Daikin split systems.
Modular VRVQ systems were utilised to allow the existing systems to be replaced to suit the agreed programme. Due to the smaller size of these systems, the majority of the condensing units were installed without the use of a crane, reducing potential costs and associated road closures.
The project was carried out on a full turnkey basis with all associated builders works and electrical upgrades carried out by Temperature Control.
The project also gave an opportunity to upgrade the ceiling mounted ventilation grilles with a bespoke design provided to improve maintenance access whilst providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.