Hotels in a warmer world

The UK's record-breaking heatwaves of 2026 may prove to be a turning point for the hospitality sector. As temperatures climbed well into the 30s across much of the country, one feature quickly rose to the top of many travellers' wish lists: air conditioning.

For years, cooling has been regarded as something of a luxury in UK hotels. It was often reserved for premium accommodation, city centre developments or new-build properties, while many older hotels continued to rely on opening windows or portable cooling units during warmer weather.

That approach is becoming increasingly difficult to justify. Climate scientists expect hotter, more prolonged summers to become more common in the UK.

For hotel owners and operators, that raises an important question. How do they continue to deliver the standards of comfort that guests increasingly expect, while also reducing energy consumption and meeting ambitious sustainability targets?

Adaptability 

The hospitality industry has always adapted to changing customer expectations. Free Wi-Fi, smart TVs and digital check-ins evolved from premium features to everyday expectations. Comfortable indoor temperatures are following a similar path.

Guests rarely notice an efficient HVAC system when it performs well. But they do notice an overheated bedroom that’s too hot to sleep in, a restaurant that feels stuffy during busy service, or a conference suite that struggles to cope with high occupancy on a hot summer afternoon.

These experiences have commercial consequences. Guest satisfaction, online reviews and repeat bookings all contribute to long-term business performance, placing indoor environmental quality alongside service and location as part of the overall guest experience.

The energy challenge 

The challenge is that providing greater levels of cooling could conflict with the hospitality sector's sustainability ambitions.  Hotels are among the most energy-intensive commercial buildings, operating continuously throughout the year with significant demands for heating, cooling, hot water and ventilation.

Investors, guests and regulators are placing increasing emphasis on environmental performance, making energy efficiency a business priority as well as an environmental one.

The industry is already responding. Many operators are introducing wider sustainability programmes, from renewable energy and water conservation through to improved building management and smarter energy monitoring.

Deloitte identifies operational improvements, energy management systems and HVAC upgrades as some of the most effective opportunities for reducing both carbon emissions and operating costs.

Global Warming Potential 

Even in hotels where air conditioning is installed, it’s important to consider whether those systems continue to meet the expectations of today's market.

Older installations often use higher global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, provide lower seasonal efficiencies and lack the sophisticated controls now available to optimise energy use.

As F-Gas regulations continue to enforce the transition towards lower-GWP refrigerants, refurbishment programmes offer an opportunity to improve environmental performance while reducing running costs.

Falling behind on this transition could see older systems facing higher costs for spare parts and maintenance – as well as more disruption.

Better all-round performance 

Retrofitting also brings practical advantages that extend beyond energy efficiency. For example, modern VRF and heat pump systems offer better cooling performance and energy efficiency – as well as using lower-GWP refrigerants such as R32 or R290.

Here, it’s important to work with manufacturers and installers who understand the safety and leak detection rules when working with these modern refrigerants.

Modern intelligent controls are also available with today’s air conditioning systems. They not only enhance the occupier experience, they also allow FM teams to monitor performance remotely across an entire estate and identify opportunities for further energy savings.

For example, the Mitsubishi Electric MELCotel control system is designed for the hotel sector and offers key card integration with features such as automatic occupied/unoccupied settings reset.

Few hotel owners have the luxury of closing their buildings for a complete HVAC replacement. Refurbishment projects must often be delivered while guests continue to occupy the building, making flexibility a critical design consideration.

Better all-round performance 

Retrofitting also brings practical advantages that extend beyond energy efficiency. For example, modern VRF and heat pump systems offer better cooling performance and energy efficiency – as well as using lower-GWP refrigerants such as R32 or R290.

Here, it’s important to work with manufacturers and installers who understand the safety and leak detection rules when working with these modern refrigerants.

Modern intelligent controls are also available with today’s air conditioning systems. They not only enhance the occupier experience, they also allow FM teams to monitor performance remotely across an entire estate and identify opportunities for further energy savings.

For example, the Mitsubishi Electric MELCotel control system is designed for the hotel sector and offers key card integration with features such as automatic occupied/unoccupied settings reset.

Few hotel owners have the luxury of closing their buildings for a complete HVAC replacement. Refurbishment projects must often be delivered while guests continue to occupy the building, making flexibility a critical design consideration.

Less disruption 

This is where advances in HVAC technology have transformed what is possible. Modern replacement solutions can often make use of existing infrastructure, reducing installation time, minimising disruption and allowing refurbishment to be completed in carefully planned phases.

Mitsubishi Electric's Replace Technology, for example, enables many ageing air conditioning systems to be upgraded using existing pipework, helping hotels modernise their systems while limiting disruption to day-to-day operations.

The same philosophy extends to system controls. Integrating HVAC with building management systems and guest key-card controls helps reduce unnecessary energy consumption by automatically adjusting conditions in unoccupied rooms, supporting both operational efficiency and sustainability objectives.

Hotels that invest in efficient heating, cooling and ventilation systems are not simply replacing ageing plant. They are improving guest comfort, reducing operational costs, supporting decarbonisation and strengthening the long-term value of their assets.

Mitsubishi Electric’s range of technologies - including cooling, heating, hot water and controls as well as remote monitoring services -  are helping hotel owners and managers respond to changing expectations while preparing for a future shaped by warmer summers, lower-carbon operation and higher standards of building performance.

Jonathan Smith, Business Development Manager for Mitsubishi Electric