In the previous issue, we talked about the “key drivers” for selecting the best appropriate system; the most important of which is performance or efficiency. With the increased concern for energy consumption and innovation for a more efficient system, builders and real estate developers are often having problems with evaluating various systems. In this newsletter, we will try to address this issue.



VRF Systems Using Digital Scroll
Technology for Hotel Application

It is a happy situation for a hotel owner that all the rooms of the hotel are occupied at all times, however, the fact is that it is generally not so pleasant. Most of the times, the occupancy of hotel rooms varies and may not be 100%. The situation leads to a lot of variation in cooling load requirements. At the same time, outside ambient conditions also keep varying across the year of operation. In lieu of the variations in indoor & outdoor conditions, HVAC systems are expected to operate on part load conditions most of the times. So it becomes imperative to select HVAC system that offers better efficiency at part load conditions (i.e. IPLV). We have discussed the IPLV concept in the above article.

Generally, HVAC system consumes 55%-60% of the total power consumption, so HVAC system with better IPLV helps optimizing operational expenses. Digital Scroll VRF system not only offers better part load efficiency (IPLV) but also offers several other advantages over other systems.

Conventionally, if a hotel is to be air-conditioned, a centralized chiller with air handling units is considered the ideal choice irrespective of the size of the hotel. This concept is fast changing with availability of innovative products like VRF Systems powered by Copeland Digital Scroll compressor. Digital Scroll VRF central air-conditioning system is preferred because of its better part load efficiency and its availability in many sizes and variants of indoor units. One such case is the ITC Fortune Hotel in Pune, India.

When India’s leading hotel brand ITC Welcome Group Hotels were building their business hotel in Pune – their engineers looked at air cooled chiller with air side products like air handling units (AHUs) and fan coil units (FCUs) as an automatic choice until they received a proposal for VRF systems with a variety of indoor unit options.  They soon realized that VRF systems scored favorably over conventional air cooled chiller systems, and for the first time, chose it instead.

About the Project

The hotel was spread over five floors with a carpet area of 12,000sq. ft. to be air-conditioned. Considering the climatic conditions of Pune, the peak load was worked out as 96 say 100 TR (126 HP). They applied the diversity factor of 1 (100%) even though a lower factor could have been chosen considering the occupancy.  In addition to 45 guest rooms, the common area included the conference hall, lobby, gymnasium, restaurant, etc.

Criteria for Selection

ITC set the following as the main criteria for selecting the right system:

  • Lower operating cost — High part load and full load efficiency
  • Quick installation —  First two floors of the hotel were to be inaugurated without waiting for the building to get completed (i.e. within 2 months from the date of release of order)
  • Reliable and minimal maintenance
  • Scalability — Floor-wise installation, space for installation was available

Final Choice

ITC short-listed the following options:

  • Air cooled chiller with AHUs and FCUs
  • Inverter VRF – using Rotary Inverter Compressor
  • VRF Systems using Digital Scroll Technology


After a critical analysis, they decided to install a VRF system powered by Copeland Digital Scroll compressors since it satisfied all their criteria.  Aside from being the most efficient, it was also cost-effective. With each floor having one condensing unit coupled to a selection of indoor units, the installation was very quick and met the deadline for inauguration.
Interactive Sessions with Shapoorji Pallonji-Design
& Build Division, Mumbai And Amit Builders, Pune


Emerson Climate Technologies conducted interactive sessions with the technical team of Shapoorji Pallonji-Design & Build Division, Mumbai And Amit Builders, Pune to further enhance their relationship with real estate developers as well as learn more about future initiatives in the industry.  Green Building and other industry related topics were discussed.

Where can VRF outdoor units (ODUs) be installed?

VRF offers greater flexibility of installing outdoor units. These can easily be installed in less conspicuous areas to protect the exterior look of the building, like in the balcony, in the shaft space or on the roof top.

Which refrigerant is used in VRF systems?

Nowadays almost all VRF systems use R410A, an eco-friendly refrigerant.
CONTACT US
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23/F San Miguel Properties Centre
# 7 St. Francis Avenue, Ortigas Center
Mandaluyong City 1550 Philippines		 website
www.digitalscroll.com

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Emersonin.mho@Emerson.com