As one of the region’s early adopters of VRF technology, Martin developed a genuine enthusiasm for designing and coordinating high-efficiency systems. That enthusiasm became a cornerstone of the company’s expertise, helping establish its reputation in a rapidly expanding market. 

“Resourcefulness with VRF equipment led to where we are today,” said Martin. “We’re a commercial and industrial firm focused on design-build and design-assist projects, but our real strength has always been in the relationships we build along the way.” 

HEAT RECOVERY: A refrigerant branch unit (RBU), an additional component needed in heat recovery VRF installations. (Courtesy of Dan Vastyan)

Backed by decades of experience and a spirit of innovation, Four Star Mechanical has become a trusted partner in the HVAC industry throughout the Ohio Valley and the East Coast. The team’s precision, craftsmanship, and problem-solving mindset allow them to consistently deliver reliable, high-performance solutions for complex and mission-critical environments. 

Whether the project involves new construction, renovation, or restoration, Four Star’s approach remains the same: listen first, design thoughtfully, and execute with care.  Their goal is simple — to deliver systems that work as well in practice as they do on paper. 

Key markets include church networks, hotel chains, healthcare facilities, and national banks. Unlike many firms that install systems they do not wish (or aren’t equipped) to support, Four Star’s model is built around the full system lifecycle. The company designs, installs, and continues to service every system it provides, strengthening owner relationships at every stage. 

Growth on All Fronts 

Much of Four Star’s success has come from growing alongside its clients and adapting as their needs evolve. The company’s growth also mirrors the increasing demand for VRF systems across North America, a trend that’s expected to continue as the industry pivots further toward electrification. 

“We were awarded our first VRF project in 2009 and wrapped it up in early 2011,” said Martin. “The customer was an international hotel chain, and that project marked their first use of VRF at one of their properties. We retrofitted the site with 140 tons of VRF.” 

THE TEAM: Steve Martin, president of Four Star Mechanical, with other team members inside the hotel during the renovation. (Courtesy of Dan Vastyan)

That success led to a 160-ton project in Charleston, South Carolina, for the same client, followed by three additional hotels at 200 tons each, a 180-ton nursing home in Kentucky, and four more large hotel projects that are soon to be commissioned. In between, the company has completed hundreds of smaller systems for a variety of clients and is currently working with a national brand to complete new hotel products in Alabama and Florida, expected to be completed over the next two years. 

To date, Four Star has installed more than 2,500 tons of VRF capacity, evenly split between new construction and renovation. 

A Century of Hospitality 

One of Four Star Mechanical’s more recent projects began in 2023 at the historic Wells House Hotel, formerly known as the Anthony Wayne. It’s one of Ohio’s oldest hospitality landmarks, located in Hamilton, Ohio. 

The client, a regional hotelier who had recently acquired the building, sought to restore the 100-room, seven-story hotel to its original character while modernizing its systems for comfort and efficiency. Originally opened in 1927, the property is now part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. 

AIRSTAGE: One of seven independent AIRSTAGE heat recovery systems that serve the renovated hotel. (Courtesy of Dan Vastyan)

“When we were first brought onto the project, several system types were on the table, including water-source heat pumps and constant-volume VAV,” said Martin. “VRF quickly stood out for two reasons: The building’s layout lends itself well to heat recovery, and refrigerant lines are far easier to install than piping or ductwork, especially in a historic structure.” 

Design-Assist Collaboration 

Before finalizing the concept, Martin worked closely with Scott Stilkey, PE, principal at RTM Engineering Consultants, and Derrick Paul, director of sales for VRF at Fujitsu General America, to solidify the design. 

Using Fujitsu’s Airstage V-Series heat-recovery equipment provided several advantages over other system types under consideration. Operational efficiency and superior zone control were major benefits, but perhaps the most critical factor was installation flexibility. 

“It was tight, but we were able to run our refrigerant piping through existing shafts,” said Martin. “Doing the same with a VAV system would’ve been nearly impossible while preserving the building’s historical character.” 

The project’s primary challenge was to install a code-compliant system that preserved the aesthetic integrity of the space. Coordinating routes for the linesets to reach the roof without lowering ceilings took careful planning and craftsmanship. Linesets were brazed before being pulled through concealed areas with limited access. 

RTUs: Spread across different levels of the roof, five 120,000-BTUh AIRSTAGE condensers were installed on the roof, along with two 144,000-BTUh systems, providing a total of 73 tons of capacity. (Courtesy of Dan Vastyan)

Heat-recovery systems were chosen over standard heat-pump systems due to the building’s widely varying loads from solar gain and occupancy. The ability to provide simultaneous heating and cooling within the same network was essential, ensuring comfort and efficiency across every space. 

“We had confidence in the design because we’ve seen Airstage heat-recovery systems perform reliably even in extreme winter conditions,” said Martin. “That gave both our team and the engineers assurance that the system would deliver exactly as intended.” 

From Demo to Deployment 

As work began at the Wells House Hotel, the Four Star team removed the existing boilers, unitary systems, and related mechanical equipment. This process took several months to complete while preserving the building’s historic character. 

OPTIONS: When Four Star was first brought onto the Wells House Hotel project, several system types were on the table, including VRF, water-source heat pumps, and constant-volume VAV. (Courtesy of Dan Vastyan)

Five 120,000-BTUh Airstage condensers were installed on the roof, along with two 144,000-BTUh systems, providing a total of 73 tons of capacity. Inside, slim-duct units were used in corridors, while guest suites and common areas were conditioned with medium-static ducted units ranging from two to three tons each. The project was completed in just over a year, with every detail coordinated to maintain the space’s architectural integrity. 

While not yet installed onsite, remote system monitoring and control are available through Fujitsu’s Airstage Cloud BMS platform, allowing Four Star and the building’s management team to track system performance and make adjustments in real time. Martin explained that remote access is now recommended for most installations, and that Airstage Cloud offers a simple, reliable solution that keeps costs reasonable while giving owners full visibility of their system. 

Since reopening, the hotel has delivered comfort and quiet operation throughout, reinforcing the advantages of thoughtful design and precise installation. While not enough time has passed to aggregate complete energy data, the feedback provided indicates that all spaces within the building are comfortable and quiet.   

Each project reinforces the same philosophy that has guided Four Star Mechanical from the beginning: combine proven technology with genuine craftsmanship and long-term partnership. The company continues to redefine what’s possible with VRF technology, particularly in historic and high-demand environments.