By Keith Kuliga
Here’s a simple truism for hotel managers: If your guests are getting cold showers, you’re going to hear about it.
When people check into a hotel—whether it’s a budget option or something high-end and fancy—they have certain expectations that must be met. And one of the most universal expectations is consistent hot water, available on-demand for showers, handwashing and more.
Failure to provide this consistent comfort is bound to generate some complaints, even negative online reviews that can sink the hotel’s reputation. One of the best ways to avoid this outcome, offering maximum hospitality for hotel guests, is by ensuring a properly sized, maximally efficient water heating system.
Why water heater size matters
One thing all hotels have in common is the need for robust water heaters, which not only promote guest satisfaction but also keep hotel operations running smoothly.
The risks of undersized water heaters are numerous and go beyond guest complaints and the attending reputational damage. An inadequate water heater may also lead to unnecessary strain on plumbing, appliances and other equipment, potentially resulting in costly repair needs. Additionally, outdated or inefficient systems can cause utility bills to soar.
Note that there are also risks associated with oversized water heaters. When the water heater is too large for the facility, the rapid on-and-off of equipment can potentially lead to mechanical degradation, again resulting in premature equipment failure and costly repair needs.
In short, hotels owners and managers can make life easier for themselves and elevate their guests’ experience simply by ensuring their water heater is appropriately sized to the building(s).
Selecting the right equipment
A trusted installer or plumbing vendor can guide hotel owners and managers on the selection of a robust and effective water heating system, ensuring the right size for the facility. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here; hotel management will want to configure their water heating system based on several site-specific criteria. These include:
- The required setpoint delivery temperature. In most hotels, this will be 140 degrees, but for busy hotel kitchens that need to clean and sanitize dishes, a higher temperature may sometimes be required.
- Peak demand periods. Understanding hotel water usage patterns is critical. For example, in a business hotel, there is likely to be a greater demand for hot showers in the morning, before the business day begins.
- Required flow rates. Some hotels may require different flow rates to accommodate particular appliances, such as body sprayers and flow-rated showerheads. This is usually a bigger factor in more luxurious and high-end facilities, but is always worth asking about.
- Space in the mechanical room. It’s also important to consider the physical footprint available in the mechanical room, taking into account factors like piping, venting clearance and more. The size of the mechanical room may dictate the size of the tanks used, or even make tankless heaters more viable.
- State or local regulations. Depending on the state and municipality, there may be some regulatory requirements to consider. In particular, it may be necessary to ensure the hotel’s water heating equipment is ASME-certified.
Additional tips for choosing a right-sized hotel water heater
Getting the wrong water heater for the facility can be detrimental, which is why it’s important to make a prudent and informed decision. This means being ready to ask key questions of any water heater sales rep or installer.
One of the first things any hotel manager should ask when looking for a new water heater: What kind of maintenance is needed? It’s important to note the vital distinction between required and suggested maintenance. The former encompasses all the tasks required to maintain the warranty, while the latter denotes any steps needed to protect the longevity and performance of the unit. Certainly, visual assessments and regular anode rod inspections will be central to maintain any facility’s water heating system.
For larger facilities, ensuring the water heater can be connected to the building management system is recommended, as it allows for prompt notification of equipment failure—allowing for quick repair and minimal downtime.
Redundancy with hotel water heaters is almost always a good idea. Splitting the load between multiple units can ensure greater consistency, while also ensuring guests get the hot water they need even if one water heaters experienced failure. (How many units are recommended? This is where sizing up the mechanical room is a must.)
In hospitality, right-sized water heaters are a must
Nobody likes having a tepid shower—least of all when they’re paying for it at a nice hotel. To keep guests happy, and to help the facilities team keep things running smoothly, selecting the right size water heater is essential.
Keith Kuliga is the Mechanical Sales Support – Commercial Products for Bradford White Water Heaters.
This is a contributed piece to Hotel Business, authored by an industry professional. The thoughts expressed are the perspective of the bylined individual.
