Hotel Guestroom Controls: When to Service, Upgrade or Replace Your Existing System

Hotel guestroom controls don’t always need to be replaced just because they’re aging or experiencing problems.

Hotels have made significant investments in energy management and guestroom control systems over the years. As those systems age, properties may begin experiencing thermostat failures, communication issues, occupancy-sensor problems, inconsistent HVAC operation, or difficulty finding replacement components.

When that happens, the first question shouldn’t always be, “What new system should we buy?”

A better question may be:

What can we do with the system we already have?

Understand the Existing Investment

Before replacing an existing guestroom control system, hotel owners, operators, asset managers and engineering teams should understand what is currently installed and how it is performing.

In many cases, portions of an existing system may still have years of useful service remaining.

The right approach may involve replacing failed components, upgrading thermostats or sensors, correcting communication problems, improving programming, expanding occupancy-based control, or integrating the controls more effectively with the guestroom HVAC equipment.

In other situations, the age or condition of the system may make replacement the better long-term investment.

The important part is making that decision based on the condition and capabilities of the existing system rather than assuming replacement is the only option.

HEC Services Existing Guestroom Control Systems

Hospitality Energy Consultants works with hotels to service, troubleshoot and upgrade existing guestroom controls and energy management systems.

Our experience includes widely used hospitality platforms such as Verdant and Honeywell INNCOM, but our capabilities are not limited to those systems.

If a property has another existing controls platform, HEC can evaluate the installed equipment and determine what service, upgrade or integration options may be available.

Our objective is not automatically to replace what is already there.

It is to determine the most practical path forward for the property.

Controls and HVAC Should Be Evaluated Together

Guestroom controls and HVAC equipment should not be viewed as completely separate systems.

A thermostat or energy management system determines how and when the HVAC equipment operates. Problems with occupancy detection, temperature control, equipment staging or system configuration can contribute to unnecessary runtime, energy consumption and guest comfort complaints.

This becomes especially important when a hotel is considering replacing PTACs, VTACs, fan coils or other guestroom HVAC equipment.

A major HVAC renewal project can also be an opportunity to evaluate whether the existing guestroom controls should be serviced, upgraded, integrated differently or replaced.

Making those decisions together can help avoid installing new HVAC equipment while leaving behind controls that prevent the property from realizing the full benefit of the investment.

Don’t Overlook Utility Incentives

There is another part of the equation that hotels should investigate before beginning a controls or HVAC project: utility incentives and rebates.

Depending on the property, utility provider and proposed improvements, incentives may be available for qualifying guestroom energy management controls, HVAC improvements or other energy-efficiency measures.

These programs vary significantly by utility and location, and many require approval before equipment is purchased or work begins.

HEC can help identify applicable incentive opportunities during the planning process so they can be considered as part of the project’s overall economics.

Service, Upgrade or Replace?

There isn’t one answer that applies to every hotel.

For one property, repairing and upgrading the existing controls may provide the best return.

For another, the existing infrastructure may be reaching the point where replacement makes more financial and operational sense.

The important thing is to understand the options before committing capital.

Hospitality Energy Consultants helps hotel owners, operators, management companies and engineering teams evaluate existing guestroom controls, identify service and upgrade opportunities, coordinate controls with guestroom HVAC strategies, and investigate applicable utility incentives.

Before replacing an existing guestroom control system, find out what you already have — and what it may still be capable of doing.

Hospitality Energy Consultants
Guestroom Controls | Energy Management | HVAC Renewal | HVAC Restoration | Utility Incentive Support