Humidity Issues That Plague Indoor Pools In Hotels

Indoor swimming pools are a coveted hotel feature, enhancing your hotel property and attracting guests year-round. However, as HVAC contractors know, the indoor pool environment is quite persnickety, requiring a high level of maintenance and steadfast care. When not kept in optimal condition with proper ventilation and dehumidification, many issues can arise that detract from the guest experience.

Is Your Hotel Also Suffering these Common Natatorium Troubles?

• Uncomfortably Muggy Climate
  Suffocating, sticky indoor pool rooms are far from a welcoming environment for guests. One of the many signs of poor humidity control, an effectively designed dehumidification system should keep climate consistent, regardless of outside temperature.
  
• Structural Damage
  When your indoor pool dehumidifier is not getting the job done, structural damage will occur over time from excessive moisture and the creation of condensation and standing water. Left unchecked, mold, mildew, and corrosion will take their toll not only on metal equipment such as chairs, loungers, and tables, but on the pool room structure itself, breaking down drywall and structural support (wood framing, hardware). For attached natatoriums, these issues could infiltrate the hotel itself.
• Dangerous Germs
  Excess of moisture not only causes structural damage but leads to foul odors and growth of unhealthy bacteria. In a recent Centers for Disease Control report, it was uncovered that one-of-three swimming-related illnesses in the U.S. could be traced back to a hotel/motel swimming pool. These include common and dangerous illnesses such as Cryptosporidium, Pseudomonas, and Legionella. Exposed to a large number of bathers, the odds of illnesses being transferred to hotel pools is increased. If not rigorously maintained with proper pool chemicals and moisture control, germs, which love moisture, will thrive, forming a biofilm ‘slime’ on wet surfaces.
  
• Chemical Hazards
  Poorly managed pool environments can also pose chemical hazards to guests. When not properly ventilated, the buildup of chlorine and other pool chemicals can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, inducing respiratory distress. This can be especially dangerous for sensitive individuals who are predisposed to lung issues/illness.
  
• High Energy Costs
  Unreasonably high energy costs indicate a pool dehumidification system that is performing poorly, wasting energy by exhausting air outside and creating passive heat exchanges. Properly designed, a pool dehumidification should reduce energy costs, including the cost of heating the pool by re-purposing the heat in the room.

How Can You Circumvent these Common Humidity Issues

To safeguard guests, ensure a positive hotel experience, and return stay, investing in dehumidification system you can rely on year-round is key. This will ensure a positive pool room experience, lowered energy costs, and a comfortable pool room environment (even in the winter). Determining the type of dehumidifier that is best for your pool room’s unique design is essential to its ability to remove excess air moisture and maintain an optimal swimming temperature, reducing environmental risks and damages. This makes professional assessment by a skilled pool dehumidification expert, who can identify the right dehumidifier for your pool based on natatorium size/layout, dampness/evaporation, airflow, and other conditions, integral to providing a high-quality, well-structured, and safe pool room.

Don’t suffer hair-raising hotel pool room humidity issues. Contact H&H Commercial Services, today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/humidity-issues-that-plague-hotels-indoor-pools/

Heating Large Office Buildings – How To Control Energy Costs

Are your commercial heating and cooling habits taking a bite out of your bottom line? The winter heating season can be an especially costly time for many business owners and operators. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning account for 28% of the electricity consumed in American office buildings, and a whopping 86% of natural gas consumption. Is there any way to shrink these expenditures while still keeping staff warm and comfortable?

Tips for Reducing Winter Energy Bills in Your Office Building

Keep office energy costs under control with the help of these heating tips from the Dept. of Energy and commercial HVAC contractors in Philadelphia:

• Monitor temperature settings.
  If your office is one of the many suffering coworker thermostat wars, consider the edition of a ‘lockable’ or password-protected smart or ‘smart learning’ thermostat. These systems help you schedule heating based on building use. ‘Learning’ models require no programming, managing comfort and efficiency based on occupant behavior. Turning the heating temperature down during off/closed hours offers significant savings, about 10-15% per year based on studies. Every 1,000-kWh saved at 10-cents/per saves $100 in electricity costs.
  *Note: Heat pump systems require specific programmable/smart thermostat models. Contact your commercial HVAC company for details.
• Ensure ductwork is sealed.
  Poorly sealed ductwork can rob up to 20% of heating efficiency, especially where it exists in unconditioned spaces. Schedule an inspection for your ductwork ensuring it is properly sealed and insulated.
• Seal building leaks.
  Seal leaks around windows, doors, lights, outlets, plumbing penetrations, and more with caulk, weather stripping, or spray foam insulation.
• Take advantage of the sun’s warmth.
  Many office have large windows. If this applies to your location, open curtains to south-facing windows during the day to take advantage of the sun’s warmth. Close them at night to keep warmth contained.
• Cover drafty windows.
  Outfit windows with insulating drapes to prevent drafts and contain warmth, or encase them with heavy-duty clear plastic sheeting or film.
• Stay on top of system maintenance.
  Replace air filters monthly. This inexpensive maintenance alone can save 5-10% on HVAC expenses. Keep the area surrounding exterior equipment clear and free of weeds and debris to safeguard proper airflow and ensure efficiency.
• Regularly service your system.
  Don’t neglect annual maintenance. Periodic maintenance, cleanings, and tune-ups safeguard the life of equipment and ensure performance and energy savings. A simple coil cleaning alone could decrease your energy costs by 30%. Maintenance can also prevent the need for emergency commercial HVAC service, identifying potentially costly issues before they occur.
• Upgrade aged systems.
  An investment in new HVAC tech can tremendously lower your energy costs (and carbon footprint). Systems more than 10-years-old are substantially less efficient than their newer, higher-SEER counterparts. Replacing your aged HVAC unit could save you 10-40% in energy (and emissions) yearly, making dollars and sense for your bottom line.

Energy bills eating at you? Take advantage of the 35-years of expertise of the best commercial HVAC company in NJ, learning new ways to save money and streamline HVAC operation and maintenance. Contact H&H Commercial Services today

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/heating-large-office-buildings-control-energy-costs/