Company: Iberostar Selection Andalucía Playa (288-room hotel)
Location: Chiclana de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
Industry: Hotels & Hospitality
Case Study
Overview
The Iberostar Selection Andalucía Playa hotel uses Mitsubishi Q-ton heat pumps for domestic hot water (DHW) generation. This system is highly efficient and designed for thermal energy applications. However, the hotel’s water supply posed a significant challenge:
Issues
- Maximum recommended water hardness for Q-ton: 8.9°F (French degrees) | 5°dH (German degrees) | 89.5 ppm
- Actual water hardness at the hotel: 18°F (French degrees) | 10°dH (German degrees) | 180 ppm
This level exceeds the manufacturer’s recommendation by a factor of two, creating risks such as:
- Limescale buildup – Scaling in the heat exchanger and water pathways, reducing efficiency.
- Efficiency loss – Decline in the Coefficient of Performance (COP) due to impaired heat transfer.
- Increased maintenance needs – More frequent descaling, higher operating costs, and potential system failures.
Our Solution
To mitigate these risks, the hotel installed the Sidon Water Integro™ system on the cold and hot water lines supplying the Q-ton heat pumps. This system:
- Prevents limescale formation without the need for chemical additives or traditional water softening.
- Ensures stable heat transfer, allowing the heat pump to operate at peak efficiency.
- Reduces maintenance requirements, eliminating downtime caused by scaling-related inefficiencies.
Client Benefits:
- Significant Energy Savings
With a 400% efficiency rating (COP ~4), the hotel maximized energy savings, using minimal electricity to generate hot water. - Reduced Maintenance and Downtime
Unlike traditional softening methods that require regular salt refills and system flushing, the Integro™ system operated continuously with minimal intervention, eliminating descaling-related disruptions. - Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
The chemical-free, low-maintenance Integro™ technology provided a sustainable solution to hard water issues, aligning with the hotel’s environmental goals.
Summary & Results
Results After One Year of Operation
The heat pump’s efficiency and operational performance were closely monitored throughout 2024, yielding outstanding results:
Performance Metrics
- Thermal energy output: 243.94 MWh
- Electrical energy consumption: 63,788.6 kWh
- Measured COP: 3.83 (very close to the system’s design performance of ~4)
Key Findings
- Sustained efficiency – The heat pump maintained an optimal COP despite operating in water exceeding its recommended hardness limit.
- No scaling observed – The heat exchangers and water pathways remained free of limescale, preserving system efficiency.
- Minimal maintenance required – No descaling was needed, reducing downtime and operational costs.
Conclusion
By integrating the Sidon Water Integro™ system, Iberostar Selection Andalucía Playa successfully preserved the performance of its Mitsubishi Q-ton heat pumps, avoiding efficiency losses and costly maintenance in a high-hardness water environment.
This case study highlights how proactive water treatment solutions can protect commercial heat pump systems, ensuring long-term efficiency, reliability, and cost savings—a critical consideration for hotels and other high-demand facilities.
Contact Details
- Saltire Centre, Pentland Ct, Glenrothes KY6 2DA
- +44(0)1592 407807
- enquiries@sidonwater.com
