Overview
Hansung Country Club, located in Bojeong-dong, South
Korea, is a premier destination for golfing and dining. As
part of a new construction project, the club aimed to
reduce excessive utility costs long-term and increase
operational performance in its main kitchen. In line with
their sustainability goals, Hansung chose to install Intelli-Hood’s Demand Control Kitchen Ventilation (DCKV)
system. This case study highlights the measurable savings
and performance benefits achieved through that decision.
Reason for DCKV
Before installing Intelli-Hood, Hansung Country Club’s kitchen ran exhaust fans at full speed 24/7—driving up energy use and costs. To improve efficiency, the club installed Intelli-Hood’s DCKV system, which adjusts fan speed based on real-time cooking activity. The installation of this project was orchestrated by a local distributor partner or Intelli-Hood, Gtech. The installation process was optimized to ensure minimal delays to the construction of the new facility.
This upgrade led to annual savings of $17,003, including $11,738 in fan energy and $5,265 in cooling costs. The system paid for itself in under 3 years, with a return on investment of 34%.
Results
The installation of Intelli-Hood’s DCKV system at Hansung Country Club’s main kitchen delivered clear improvements in energy efficiency and operating cost. Prior to implementation, annual kitchen HVAC operating costs were estimated at $28,847. After the Intelli-Hood system was installed, these costs dropped to $11,844, resulting in yearly savings of $17,003—a 59% reduction in HVAC-related expenses.
A key driver of these savings was Intelli-Hood’s ability to adjust fan speeds dynamically based on real-time cooking activity. Before installation, exhaust fans would typically run continuously at 100% speed, consuming energy regardless of actual demand. Post-installation, the fan speeds achieved a significantly lower rate, cutting unnecessary energy use and reducing wear on mechanical components. This helped extend the life of the ventilation system.
Conclusion
The implementation of Intelli-Hood’s DCKV system at Hansung Country Club resulted in substantial energy savings, a fast 2.9-year payback, and a significant 59% reduction in HVAC operating expenses. By optimizing kitchen exhaust and ventilation, the club not only lowered utility costs but also enhanced operational efficiency. Intelli-Hood proved to be a smart investment—supporting both financial and sustainability goals for this modern, high-performance facility.
Figure B depicts the fan speed variations over the course of six days. The variations in fan speed are a result of changing cooking demand in the commercial kitchen. Average Fan speed was 53%.
