Hospitality | Pool Heating Energy Optimization | Heat Pump Feasibility | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 2026
PROJECT REFERENCE: RADISSON RIYADH POOL HEATING UPGRADE
PROJECT AT A GLANCE
PROJECT AT A GLANCE
| PROJECT TYPE Hospitality pool-heating energy upgrade |
SERVICE HVAC upgradation assessment & heat-pump feasibility |
| ENGAGEMENT Technical, energy & commercial feasibility review |
DELIVERABLE Comparative energy analysis & retrofit advisory |
| CLIENT TEAM Clenergize Consultants |
LOCATION / YEAR Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 2026 |
PROJECT OVERVIEW
MCUBE Engineering Consultants supported Clenergize Consultants with a technical and energy-feasibility assessment for upgrading the swimming-pool heating system at a hospitality facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The study evaluated the existing electric-resistance heating approach against a high-efficiency heat-pump alternative on a like-for-like heating-duty basis, considering seasonal operating conditions, energy performance, technical integration and indicative lifecycle economics.
The objective was to provide the project team with a clear engineering basis for selecting a more energy-efficient pool-heating strategy while maintaining guest-comfort requirements and compatibility with the existing water-circulation arrangement.
THE REQUIREMENT
The project required an independent upgrade assessment to determine whether a heat-pump solution could replace conventional electric pool heating while delivering a technically practical, energy-efficient and commercially attractive pathway for the hotel.
OUR SCOPE
- Review of the existing pool-heating arrangement, available operating information and seasonal heating profile.
- Establishment of a consistent engineering basis for comparing conventional electric resistance heating with heat-pump technology.
- Assessment of heating efficiency using coefficient-of-performance principles and equivalent heating-duty comparison.
- Seasonal energy-consumption modelling reflecting Riyadh climate conditions and the facility operating profile.
- Technical feasibility review covering water-side integration, circulation requirements, controls and retrofit compatibility.
- Indicative operating-cost and simple-payback screening to support investment decision-making.
- Review of complementary energy-conservation measures, including heat-loss reduction strategies for the pool.
- Preparation of an engineering recommendation and implementation considerations for the proposed upgrade pathway.
OUR APPROACH
MCUBE structured the assessment around a like-for-like comparison of the heating service delivered by the existing system and a high-efficiency heat-pump alternative. Available operating information was first reviewed to establish the heating season, temperature requirements and practical duty profile.
A seasonal energy model was then developed to compare electrical input for both technologies under equivalent heating demand. The assessment considered the fundamental difference between direct electric resistance heating and heat-pump heat transfer, allowing energy use to be evaluated on a consistent technical basis.
The final stage combined energy performance with integration requirements and indicative economics. MCUBE translated the modelling outputs into an actionable retrofit recommendation, while identifying items requiring confirmation during vendor selection and detailed implementation.
KEY TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
| HEATING DUTY LIKE-FOR-LIKE BASIS Alternative technologies compared against the same thermal requirement. |
SEASONAL MODEL RIYADH CLIMATE Energy demand assessed across the practical pool-heating season. |
HEAT PUMP COP-BASED ANALYSIS Efficiency assessed using realistic heat-pump performance principles. |
| WATER-SIDE INTEGRATION REVIEW Compatibility with circulation, flow and control requirements evaluated. |
ECONOMICS DECISION SCREENING Energy performance translated into operating-cost and payback insight. |
ENERGY SAVINGS ~80% MODELLED REDUCTION Significant reduction potential identified for the assessed heating duty. |
ENGINEERING VALUE
- Like-for-like heating-duty analysis created a clear basis for comparing two different pool-heating technologies.
- Seasonal energy modelling reflected Riyadh climatic conditions and the practical operating profile of hospitality pool heating.
- Heat-pump feasibility was evaluated using coefficient-of-performance, electrical demand and water-side integration criteria.
- The study considered retrofit compatibility with the existing circulation and filtration arrangement rather than evaluating equipment efficiency in isolation.
- Indicative operating-cost and payback screening converted technical efficiency into decision-ready commercial insight.
- Complementary heat-loss reduction measures were considered to improve overall system performance beyond equipment replacement alone.
RESULTS
The assessment identified heat-pump conversion as a strong upgrade pathway for the pool-heating duty. Under the study assumptions, the model indicated approximately 80% lower pool-heating electricity consumption compared with conventional electric resistance heating for the same thermal duty.
MCUBE provided the project team with a clear technical and financial decision framework for progressing the upgrade, including integration considerations, vendor-performance requirements and the basis for confirming final savings during detailed design and procurement.
PROJECT GALLERY
