The art of perfection: HVAC on a superyacht

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The art of perfection: HVAC on a superyacht
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The art of perfection: HVAC on a superyacht

– by Huib Wassink, 3 October 2018

Luxury yachts are renowned for their state-of-the-art technology and design. Every new superyacht is someone’s dream being materialised in metal and wood, with the combination of craftsmanship. These exclusive projects need a special approach when it comes to HVAC. Let us introduce four main topics which make the HVAC system for a yacht so challenging.

Limited space

Yachts are designed by the world’s artistic architects. A superyacht is in fact an architectural piece of art, with beautiful design in all shapes and colours. The fact that the majority of available space is designated for the owner’s needs has a major impact on the size of technical spaces. Fan rooms will be limited and the routing of ducting and piping needs special attention. As HVAC designer / integrator we have to think smart, making use of every square metre in order to make the system as compact and efficient as possible.

Comfort

Comfort levels on a superyacht are a league of their own. It is not enough to simply ensure rooms are at a comfortable climate – the way this is achieved is equally important. For instance, the HVAC installation on a yacht should have no noticeable vibrations or fan noise. No sound of air running through ducts. The idea on a superyacht is that you cannot see, hear or feel if the system is on.

Another factor that needs to be considered is draught. A cold breeze of fresh air can turn into an annoying cold stream when not positioned in the right way. The air itself must be of the best quality, pure and revitalising. There are a number of ways to boost the quality of air, ranging from high performance filtering to special pods that give a delightful fragrance.

Interior

The delicate materials used for the interior of a yacht give it a distinctive look & feel, and our HVAC system provides the perfect environment for keeping them in good shape. It is vital that the design isn’t disturbed by features such as supply and exhaust grills. To realise this a clever ducting design should be blend-in with the interior. Air is brought into the room via domes or smartly arranged furniture. You may know it’s there, but you’ll not notice it.

Gadgets

Who says that HVAC cannot be fun? From touchpad-controlled thermostats to complete mimicking systems which give control to every room, there are many ways to spice up the air conditioning system. Status updates from energy consumption, running times and temperature trends can be accessed with a single swipe. Stay in control of the system, everywhere and at all times.

An HVAC evolution

Every yacht is a unique project in its own right and therefore needs a special approach. This is why we always think of innovative solutions and constantly seek to improve our processes. Together with our partners we evolve our product so we are ready for the next generation of superyachts. Sign up for our newsletter and stay informed about the latest innovations.

Huib Wassink | Sales Manager

Huib Wassink has been working at Heinen & Hopman for over 20 years. During his career he gained valuable expertise in HVAC solutions, primarily for superyachts and commercial vessels.