Hewing Hotel: IPS for Historic Luxury

Overview

The Hewing Hotel is a 124-room boutique property in a 126-year-old, 116,000-square-foot Minneapolis building. A $38 million renovation required a system that could deliver premium comfort without undermining energy goals or long-term value. The team evaluated multiple HVAC options and selected Williams’ Integrated Piping System (IPS).

Project Drivers

Minneapolis weather swings required fast response, and guest comfort could not be compromised. The team also had to balance “green” goals with system responsiveness and cost.

System Strategy

Options included water source heat pumps, two- and four-pipe hydronic systems, PTAC units, VRF heat pumps, and IPS. PTACs were rejected for noise, efficiency, and aesthetics. Two-pipe systems could not heat and cool adjacent zones simultaneously. Four-pipe systems and water source heat pumps were strong contenders but had higher upfront costs. VRF raised lifecycle and cold-climate efficiency concerns. IPS was selected for simultaneous heating and cooling with less piping and no noisy in-room equipment.

Implementation Notes

IPS uses domestic hot and cold water piping to deliver heating and cooling to NSF 61-certified fan coil units. Two constantly circulating water lines serve the system, and components are rated for potable use. Fan coil units use NSF/ANSI 61 & 372 certified copper.

Results

The project achieved quiet, hotel-grade comfort with a long-life hydronic approach. IPS reduced dedicated hydronic piping while maintaining simultaneous heating and cooling across zones.

Takeaways

• Favor systems that allow simultaneous heating and cooling across adjacent zones.
• Avoid in-room equipment that adds noise or detracts from guest experience.
• Use domestic water piping to reduce hydronic scope without sacrificing comfort.