The LG Multi V IV VRF System improves the energy efficiency of this NYC hotel. [Photo: Courtesy of LG]
The Marlton Hotel keeps cool with LG’s energy-efficient HVAC system.
Five years ago, hotelier and restaurateur Sean MacPherson had a vision to turn a historic building in New York City into a “baby grand hotel” full of postwar Parisian flair and urbane finishes. The Marlton Hotel, a nine-story building built in Greenwich Village in 1900, once housed famous and influential artists and writers like Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady.
MacPherson wanted to keep as many of the original features of the building as possible, like the herringbone-wood floors, intricate crown molding, marble bathrooms, and brass fixtures, but there was one important change that had to be made—the Marlton needed an efficient HVAC system that would not only preserve space but also create a comfortable atmosphere for guests.
Previously, the building had no central AC system, so the hotel’s management worked with HVAC experts Klima New York to find a new system. They needed one that would be highly economical and efficient in terms of energy consumption, preserve the architectural integrity and charm of the design details, and maximize the limited space while providing superior occupant comfort.
The system of choice was the award-winning LG Multi V IV Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system, known for its energy efficiency, high performance, and flexibility in system design and installation. The Multi V series includes features like Smart Load Control and Active Refrigerant Control, which optimize energy use and account for changes in ambient temperature to regulate performance for efficiency and comfort.
[Courtesy of LG]
Modern Conveniences Plus Old-World Charm
A single outdoor unit can maintain multiple rooms, increasing efficiency and freeing up wall and floor space in each room. “Our company chose VRF because we are in downtown New York, where space is at an all-time premium,” says Eric Rosenfeld, general manager at The Marlton Hotel. “We needed to save space, and the LG VRF system allowed us to do that.”
Space, combined with design flexibility, made LG’s product the perfect HVAC system for the Marlton Hotel. “I personally think the best aspect of the system is the fact that the design has been integrated with the functionality, so we didn’t lose any of the architectural integrity. We were able to preserve many of the building’s original and thoughtful design details,” Rosenfeld says.
[Photo: Courtesy of LG]
Design Flexibility & Efficiency
The zoned capabilities of the LG VRF system allows guest spaces and common areas to be independently and appropriately controlled and conditioned for individual occupant comfort. Returns in the guest rooms were discreetly hidden behind crown molding, and in other areas duct-free units were used to avoid covering up ornate features with soffits for ductwork.
The Multi V system doesn’t require a mechanical room, which opened up space downstairs to put the kitchen for the Margaux restaurant instead. In addition, the quiet and compact outdoor units on the roof left enough room for the Marlton to use the rest of the rooftop area to create an open, airy space for guests to sunbathe, lounge, and relax in the middle of New York City.
“Besides space saving and design flexibility, efficiency is the best feature for the hotel,” says James Moran, sales engineer at Klima New York. “Generally, the LG Multi V VRF system will provide a 30 to 40% savings over conventional air conditioning systems.* That return alone on a hotel and hospitality application represents quite a return on investment in a relatively short time. That made the choice for an LG VRF system the right one.”
Project Details
Project: The Marlton Hotel
Location: Greenwich Village, New York City, NY
Completed: 2016
Sales Engineer: James Moran, Klima New York
Solution: 158 Tons of LG VRF LG Multi VTM IV Units Art CoolTM Mirror High Statius Ducted
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