What if your hotel could grow fresh fruit using air-conditioning byproduct? At Grand Heights Hotel Apartments, part of The First Group Hospitality innovation turned wasted condensate water into thriving greenery—saving over 60,000 litres annually and even producing homegrown watermelons.
At a Glance
📍 Property: Grand Heights Hotel Apartments, Dubai
💡 Initiative: Repurposing condensate water from AC units for landscape irrigation
👷♂️ Led by: Engineer Prakash Amin and team, led by Cluster General Manager Libu Daniel
Annual Impact
💧60,000+ litres of water reused
🌱115 plants irrigated
🍉 Watermelons grown on-site
The Challenge
Dubai’s hot climate demands continuous air conditioning, resulting in large volumes of condensate water—usually drained as waste. At Grand Heights, the engineering team saw this as a missed opportunity in a region where water is precious.
Key issues that were identified:
- Condensate water from FAHUs and FCUs was going to waste
- High water demand during summer months
- A need to reduce the hotel’s environmental footprint
The Solution
The hotel’s engineering team, led by Prakash Amin and supported by Ajay, Hiralal, and Abbas, implemented low-cost, yet high impact solutions.
✅ Pipeline Retrofit: A 50-meter PVC pipe was installed to redirect condensate water from rooftop air handling units to the irrigation system.
✅ Dripper System: 55 drippers were installed to distribute the water to 115 plants across the property.
✅ Seasonal Water Capture: Water collection varies by season—around 200–250 litres per day in summer, and 80–150 litres in winter due to reduced AC use.
The Results
What began as a small engineering experiment is now a thriving green space:
✅ 60,000 Litres Reused Annually
✅ Reduction in Landscaping Water Demand
✅ Cost Savings on Water Bills and Plant Maintenance
✅ Environmental Benefits: Increased greenery, enhanced biodiversity
🍉 Surprise Outcome: The team successfully grew several varieties of watermelon!
“What was once wasted water is now helping us grow fruit at the entrance—it’s a proud moment for the team.”
– Prakash Amin, Lead Engineer
Why It Matters
This initiative reflects Grand Heights Hotel Apartments’ dedication to practical, results-driven sustainability, and is a compelling example of how operational tweaks can have significant environmental and commercial payoffs.
Even better, this is a replicable model—applicable for hotels across warm regions with minimal investment. It’s a reminder that sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s a responsibility we embrace every day.
Read through our other case studies to learn more about how other hotels in the Middle East are innovating!
