www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I February 2025 35
Project
REVAMPING COMFORT AT IRENE HOTEL
By Eamonn Ryan with technical input from Deon Kotze , sales and technical manager : Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioning Systems , and Riaan Marais , consulting engineer with SHC
Irene Hotel in Pretoria recently underwent a significant transformation , thanks to SHC Consulting ’ s modernisation of the hotel ’ s ageing air conditioning and hot water systems .
Irene Hotel is well-known for its picturesque surroundings , including a working dairy farm , providing a unique atmosphere for guests .
Riaan Marais , consulting engineer with SHC , shared insights into the project , which aims to enhance guest comfort while maintaining operational efficiency .
“ The hotel ’ s previous chiller system had served its purpose for over 25 years , but it was time for an upgrade . Being in the hospitality sector , it was important to keep the hotel operational during the renovation . Therefore , the project was executed in phases to minimise disruption . We planned the whole project primarily during the winter months , allowing us to switch rooms ’ air conditioning on and off without shutting down the entire facility ,” he explains .
Central to this upgrade is the integration of Mitsubishi air conditioning units and heat recovery systems , which were also utilised in a previous RACA-profiled project at University of the Free State . This consistency in suppliers ensures reliability and performance . Marais highlights that the new system is currently performing exceptionally well , providing an efficient hot water supply that capitalises on the energy generated by the air conditioning units . “ We ’ re essentially getting hot water for free , as the system utilises energy from the air conditioning units while running in guest rooms ,” he notes .
MITSUBISHI TRANSFORMS HVAC SYSTEM AT IRENE HOTEL Marco Ferdinandi , marketing director at Mitsubishi Air Conditioning Systems , says : “ The project involved the installation of Mitsubishi Electric ' s Variable Refrigerant Flow ( VRF ) systems , specifically the VRF City Multi series , renowned for its energy efficiency and advanced technology . With meticulous planning and execution , Mitsubishi Electric engineers replaced outdated equipment with state-of-the-art VRF systems , ensuring enhanced comfort and energy savings for Irene Hotel ' s guests .”
He detailed the technical aspects of the project , highlighting the specific equipment utilised , including the VRF City Multi systems . “ These systems offer efficiency and performance , making them an ideal choice for commercial applications such as hotels . One of the notable challenges faced during the project was the need to
The new building housing VRF City Multi equipment .
Hot water boosters 2x off feeding the uncladded water tanks . One tank consists of a 2 500l each , also showing the pipe work .
maintain hotel operations while installing the new HVAC systems ." However , careful planning and implementation strategies allowed the Mitsubishi Electric team to overcome these challenges without disrupting guest comfort or hotel functionality .
In addition to the HVAC upgrades , Mitsubishi Electric also addressed Irene Hotel ' s hot water requirements . By leveraging the innovative heat recovery capabilities of its VRF systems , Mitsubishi enabled Irene Hotel to simultaneously provide cooling to guest rooms while generating hot water , thereby optimising energy utilisation and reducing operational costs .
Reflecting on the project ' s objectives , Ferdinandi emphasised the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability . By replacing outdated equipment with cutting-edge VRF systems , Irene Hotel not only improved guest comfort but also achieved significant energy savings and reduced environmental impact .
All Iamges provided by Mitsubishi Air Conditioning Systems
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I February 2025 35