The Complete Guide to Luxury HVAC: Cooling Systems

In America, HVAC is not merely an option… it’s a necessity. Even the most modest American home has air conditioning and heating to ward off the temperature extremes during the seasons. 

And for high-end properties like luxury homes, hotels and resorts, the HVAC system is a critical component that defines the building’s value.

In this guide, we explore the luxury HVAC options for high-end residential buildings, as well as provide recommendations based on our years of experience specializing in HVAC products. For this first part, we will discuss the cooling systems.

What Makes an AC System “Luxury”?

In regular homes, the key functions of an HVAC system are to provide comfortable temperature levels while maintaining good indoor air quality. Some upscale HVAC units might also offer humidity control, allowing them to function as humidifiers in winter and dehumidifiers in summer.

For luxury properties, HVAC goes beyond temperature consistency and air quality. In our experience, developers and builders of high-end properties also take into account:

✔ Efficiency and eco-friendliness

Energy efficiency and eco-friendliness go hand-in-hand, as the less energy intensive the HVAC is, the better for the environment. Wealthy homeowners and luxury developers are more likely to be environmentally conscious and typically take ecological impact into consideration. 

The use of eco-friendly HVAC can also help builders and developers with their green initiatives and achieve LEED certification. 

✔ Aesthetics

Luxury HVAC either blends tastefully into the surroundings, or are completely hidden.

✔ Acoustics

Five-star hotels pride themselves on providing exceptional quiet, which includes HVAC.

✔ Smart features

Premium HVAC units typically support smart home integration, remote monitoring, and advanced features like geo-fencing for residential HVAC, or centralized desk control for commercial HVAC units.

Now let’s delve into the different types of cooling systems for high-end properties

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Luxury Cooling Options

High-end Condominiums and Apartments: Ductless mini splits

Mini splits offer an energy efficient and convenient way to cool luxury condos and apartments. They offer the following advantages:

✔ Ductless convenience

Since mini splits don’t require ducts, they are much more flexible and allow more freedom in placement. This is especially useful for retrofits without existing ductwork.

✔ Superb energy efficiency

Mini splits are much more efficient than window units by up to 30% to 50%. They achieve high SEER ratings exceeding 20 SEER2 thanks to the use of inverter technology and other efficiency features baked into their design.

✔ Zoned cooling and heating

Mini splits allow for individual temperature settings in different rooms, known as zones. A single outdoor compressor can be connected to multiple indoor units, each with their own temperature.

✔ Flexibility

Indoor units come in a variety of designs, from wall-mounted to concealed duct. This allows for flexible placement and aesthetic matching to the room.

Our recommended mini splits for condos and apartments:

Friedrich

One of the foremost names when it comes to mini splits, Friedrich boasts industry-leading features like variable speed compressors and next-generation refrigerant. This allows them to offer the highest energy efficiency ratings.

Friedrich units also come with built-in WiFi and support for Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

Suggested Friedrich unit:

Friedrich FPHW123D 12000 BTU 23.0 SEER2 Floating Air Pro Series Single Zone Mini Split – Heat and Cool

This smart single-zone system offers 12,000 BTUs of cooling with a 12,000 BTU heat pump. It boasts high efficiency ratings including a 23.0 SEER2 and a 12.25 EER2, thanks to inverter technology and new R454B refrigerant.

It is Cold Climate Energy Star Rated, operating in conditions as low as 5°F. The built-in WiFi allows wireless control via the Friedrich ComfortPro app, and also supports Google Assistant and Alexa voice commands.

Daikin

One of the pioneers in air conditioning, this famous Japanese brand was one of the first to offer R32 refrigerant, which is 12% more efficient than R-410A while having a lower Global Warming Potential (GWP).

They can be paired with the Daikin One series of smart thermostats, and also offer wireless control via the DKN Cloud app.

Suggested unit:

Daikin FTXM12WVJU9 / RXM12WVJU9 12000 BTU 25.2 SEER2 Wall Mounted Atmosphera Series

This single-zone unit offers 12,000 BTUs AC capacity and 13,600 BTUs of heating, while yielding impressive energy efficiency ratings including 13.2 EER2, 25.2 SEER2 and 10.7 HSPF2 with a 4.4 COP rating. This is achieved by using variable speed compressor technology as well as eco-friendly R32 refrigerant.

It is capable of 100% heating capacity at 5°F, which can be extended down to -13° with an optional drain pan heater. Additionally, it also offers 100% cooling in temperatures as high as 115°!

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Large Homes: Multizone mini split

Very large homes benefit from having multiple HVAC zones or multiple independent systems. 

Unlike the standard suburban home, a luxury mansion can have specialized rooms that require varied temperatures. A wine cellar or movie room require deep cold, compared to the living room or home office. Then there are multiple bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. Trying to service all of those requirements with just one or two thermostats is inefficient and can produce temperature imbalances.

A sophisticated large-home design can combine:

• Variable-speed outdoor compressor
• Zoned ductwork
• Multiple air handlers with smart controls

The system can then modulate capacity while distributing air based on the needs of individual zones. This setup provides the familiar experience of central air, while adding the zoned precision expected in a luxury property.

Our recommended system for large homes:

Friedrich FPHMR42A3D 42000 BTU Floating Air Pro-X Five-Zone Mini Split

This 42,000 BTU multi-zone system can handle from three to five indoor units, with a connected capacity of up to 54,000 BTUs. It can be a mix of Friedrich’s standard wall units, 4-way ceiling cassettes, or ceiling concealed duct units.

It uses R454B refrigerant, the most environmentally friendly refrigerant available. Paired with Friedrich’s Precision Inverter Technology, the system can achieve up to 22 SEER2 depending on the indoor units used. 

Its Cold Climate Energy Star rating allows it to operate when outdoor temperatures are as low as 5°F all the way up to 125°F. Its heating range is equally as wide, from -13°F up to 75°F!

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Quiet Living Spaces: Concealed ducted inverter mini-split

Some rooms need more quiet than others. This includes bedrooms, nurseries, home office, and entertainment areas like home theaters. In such spaces, low HVAC noise is critical.

ASHRAE’s HVAC acoustics guidance sets NC-30 as a design target for living areas in luxury residences, as well as individual hotel rooms and suites. And if low noise is the primary consideration, concealed ducted equipment should be at the top of the list.

A wall-mounted indoor unit places the fan directly in the occupied space, whereas a concealed ducted system hides the indoor unit in a ceiling or mechanical space.

Our recommended AC system for quiet spaces: 

Daikin

Daikin’s concealed ducted indoor unit boasts a minimum indoor sound level of 32 dBA, which is roughly equal to a soft whisper or a ticking watch.

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Hotels: Smart PTACs

In our experience, hotel chains have the most demanding cooling requirements, since the system has to satisfy thousands of individual rooms.

ASHRAE states that hotel guest room air conditioning should be:

• Quiet
• Easily adjustable
• Draft-free
• Provide adequate outdoor air. 

In addition, it identifies reliability, humidity control, efficiency, and ease of maintenance as important considerations. This makes hotel HVAC considerably different from simply installing a large central AC.

Our recommended systems for hotels: 

Amana smart PTACs

Package Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs) are a type of self-contained, through-the-wall unit that provide both cooling and heating. Because of their ability to cool large spaces, they are widely used in the hospitality and accommodation industry.

When it comes to PTACs, Amana is one of the prolific names, utilized by thousands of hotel chains, dormitories and nursing care facilities. Unlike the rattly and noisy old PTACs before, today’s modern units boast much quieter operation, with a Sound Transmission Class (STC 29) rating for all Amana units.

Another key feature of Amana PTACs is their smart capability. PTACs can be paired with optional smart thermostats and sensors that detect indoor conditions and occupancy levels to automatically adjust the system for comfort and efficiency. These peripherals are wirelessly connected, so no unsightly drilling or cable running is required.

Finally, Amana PTACs can be controlled from a central interface through the Eden Concierge System. Every unit in the building can be monitored in real-time to see  performance, temperatures, unit settings and run a maintenance or diagnostic check.

Check out our Amana PTAC Buying Guide to learn more.

Suggested unit:

Amana PTH123J35AXXX 12000 BTU Class 11.5 EER PTAC Air Conditioner with Heat Pump

The PTAC is designed for both residential and commercial use with 208/230-volt electricity. It offers 11,600/12,000 BTUs of cooling power, a 10,800/11,000 BTU heat pump, and a 3.5 kW electric heater, providing approximately 9,900/12,000 BTUs of electric backup heat. 

It features an EER of 11.5 and can cool spaces of about 300 – 525 sq. ft. Part of the new J series, it uses R32 refrigerant that is up to 12% more efficient than R410A.

One highlight of the new line is the improved noise reduction, boasting a Sound Transmission Class of 29, as well as smart features that enable it to be connected to a wireless thermostat and a room occupancy sensor. This allows for automatic setback rules when no motion is detected in the room.

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Large Hotel Suites: Concealed Ducted Mini-Splits / VTACs

For larger suites, staterooms or penthouse units, multiple PTACs are out of the question. 

A concealed ducted mini-split places the indoor unit above the ceiling while providing air through discreet grilles. This makes for a cleaner setup compared to traditional PTACs, while providing zoned comfort for the different rooms.

Friedrich Ceiling Cassette Indoor Units

For buildings with larger ceiling clearances, Friedrich offers multiple ceiling cassette indoor units from 9,000 BTUs to 24,000 BTUs. While less discreet than Daikin’s concealed ceiling model, the Floating Air line features built-in WiFi and access to FriedrichGo App for wireless control, as well as Google Assistant and Alexa voice commands.

Suggested unit:

Friedrich FPHMR27A3D 27000 BTU Floating Air Pro-X Tri-Zone Mini Split

This tri-zone system is a 27,000 BTU unit that has a connected capacity of up to 36,000 BTUs. It can achieve up to 23.0 SEER2 and 12.85 EER2 depending on the indoor units connected. 

It includes a built-in troubleshooting control board for checking several parameters on all units, from the pump to each connected indoor unit. This feature is typically not included with other brands of mini split compressors, or is usually an add-on option.

Alternative option for hotel suites: VTACs

For hotel suites with a mechanical closet, a Vertical Terminal Air Conditioner or VTAC is another option. When aesthetics are at a premium, the VTAC hides the system out of sight, also making for a nice living space free from clutter. 

Friedrich’s Vert-I-Pak line uses R-32 refrigerant that is up to 12% more efficient than older R410A refrigerants. It meets the new AHRI standards as well as the new SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 ratings, featuring 10.6 EER2, 12.1 SEER2, 6.7 HSPF2 ratings.

GE’s Zoneline VTACs boast inverter technology and R454B refrigerant for exceptional energy efficiency, achieving 12.0 EER2, 17.0 SEER2 and 8.1 HSPF2 ratings. The heat pump also has excellent COP (Coefficient of Performance), featuring a COP of 3.5 with a heating BTU range of 4,500 – 13,000. Models in the series also have the Dehumidification Sentinel feature for moisture removal.

Finally, MultiMFG is a brand dedicated to cooling solutions for high-density residential and commercial buildings. Their VTAC offerings come with variable-speed compressors and Cold Climate Energy Star certification, with 9.8 EER2, 15.5 SEER2 and 9.1 HSPF2 ratings. These units are designed for top of the line performance, easy installation, and service. Only the highest quality components are used.