When I checked into my room in one of the largest hotels in Las Vegas, the room was too warm, but the vertical chilled-water fan-coil unit was running and the room thermostat was calling for cooling. The return air passed through a hinged core return-air grille. I opened the grille core, and there was the filter — totally clogged with dirt. I called the hotel office, a new filter was installed, and my room was comfortable once again.

The next morning when I left my room, there was a new filter by every door in the hotel, ready for installation. Someone at the hotel's front desk must have discovered why so many guests were complaining about rooms that were too warm.
Gil Avery, PE, FASHRAE
Kele Inc.
Memphis, Tenn.

Have a “war story” to share? Send it to Executive Editor Scott Arnold at scott.arnold@penton.com.