What are the acceptance standards for indoor temperature and humidity in hotels? How do the requirements differ across functional areas?
I am an HVAC expert. The issue you raised is one of the core metrics in the design, construction, and operation and maintenance of hotel HVAC systems, and it directly affects guest comfort experience, energy consumption control, and equipment service life. In hotel projects, temperature and humidity acceptance standards are not only code requirements but also a quantitative reflection of the operator's quality commitment. If the standards are unclear or implementation deviates, it may lead to higher complaint rates or long-term inefficient system operation.
According to the Code for Design of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning of Civil Buildings (GB 50736-2012) and the Design Standard for Energy Efficiency of Public Buildings (GB 50189-2015), hotel indoor temperature and humidity acceptance must be set differently based on the usage characteristics of functional areas and the intensity of occupant activity. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. **Guest room area (core functional area)**: According to Article 3.0.2 of GB 50736-2012, the indoor design parameters for comfort air conditioning are: summer temperature 24-26℃, relative humidity 40%-60%; winter temperature 20-22℃, relative humidity 30%-50%. Acceptance should give priority to meeting this range. In an actual project, I once handled a complaint case at a five-star hotel guest room: summer humidity exceeded 65%, causing a stuffy feeling. After adjusting the chilled water supply-return temperature difference (increased from 5℃ to 7℃) and optimizing the dehumidification logic of the fan coil units, humidity was controlled below 55%, and the complaint rate dropped by 80%. Note that the outdoor air volume in guest rooms must be accepted at 30 m³/h per person (Article 3.0.6 of GB 50736-2012); otherwise, mold is likely to grow under high humidity.
2. **Public areas (lobby, corridors, restaurants)**: These areas have high occupant density and high activity intensity, so the standards may be appropriately relaxed. With reference to Article 3.0.2 of GB 50736-2012 and hotel operating experience: summer temperature 24-27℃, humidity 50%-65%; winter temperature 18-22℃, humidity 30%-50%. For example, in a hotel lobby with a large glass curtain wall area, solar radiation in summer caused temperature fluctuations. During acceptance, in combination with Article 5.2.3 of the General Code for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Utilization in Buildings (GB 55015-2021), side supply air louvers and linked control of sunshades were added, ultimately achieving temperature uniformity of ±1℃. Note that because the restaurant back kitchen area has many heat sources, it is only necessary to ensure ventilation according to the code (exhaust air volume based on 40-60 air changes per hour); temperature and humidity are not mandatory acceptance items.
3. **Back-of-house and equipment areas (offices, laundry rooms, engineering machine rooms)**: According to Article 3.0.3 of GB 50736-2012, areas where people stay for long periods (such as offices) follow the guest room standard; areas where people stay for short periods (such as laundry rooms) may be relaxed in summer to 28℃ and humidity below 70%. In an actual case, steam leakage in a hotel laundry room caused humidity to exceed 80%, leading to equipment corrosion. After adding an independent exhaust system and dehumidifiers, humidity was controlled below 60%.
**Key acceptance execution points**: It is recommended that after the system has operated stably for 24 hours, use calibrated temperature and humidity data loggers (accuracy ±0.5℃/±3%RH) to measure at multiple points at 1.2 m above the floor and 0.5 m from the exterior wall, and take the average value. If the deviation exceeds ±1℃ or ±5%RH, check the cooling/heating source, air volume balance, or insulation defects. For example, during acceptance of a project, the guest room temperature met the standard but the humidity was high; the final cause was insufficient surface area of the cooling coil in the outdoor air dehumidification coil, and the requirement was met after replacement.
**Summary**: Hotel indoor temperature and humidity acceptance should strictly refer to GB 50736-2012 and GB 50189-2015. The guest room area should use 24-26℃/40%-60% as the baseline, public areas may be appropriately relaxed, and back-of-house areas should focus on ventilation. Different functional areas need differentiated settings based on occupant density, heat sources, and operational needs. The above are reference opinions. The actual project situation still needs further comprehensive evaluation and implementation in combination with specific operating conditions, site conditions, and other factors.