Hospitality, just like any other field of business, also has opportunities to go green. Hotels can save energy and money by implementing new technology or by taking an action that just makes sense. Air ducts, escalators, vending machines, light bulbs…..the list goes on. The hospitality industry can be repository of great resource-saving tips. Below are a few energy-saving steps to take.
- Put together a written energy management plan. Key components should include energy forecasting and procurement, facility audits, financial analysis, integrated building upgrades, equipment purchasing, new construction, and preventive maintenance
- Hire an energy expert to conduct an audit of your hotel. One example is the Energy Efficiency Group in Dora
- During low occupancy periods, place guests in closely-located guestrooms
- Install energy management systems in guestrooms, meeting rooms, and other public spaces
- Ask your energy providers or local government if there are any incentive programs for implementing energy-efficient equipment or processes
- Improperly maintained air handlers can waste up to 32 percent of the energy they consume. Check HVAC controls for proper calibration
- Check all duct work for air leaks and repair where appropriate. Air ducts should be cleaned monthly
- Check all electrical systems for loose connections or poor motor conditions. Without proper preventive maintenance, these systems typically generate a five to ten percent energy loss
- Shut down office equipment, such as photocopiers and computer monitors, when not in use
- Explore the purchase of a fuel cell power generator
- Install energy misers on vending machines
- Install thermal-glass windows
- In hotels with whirlpools in use, keep the aerator on only when needed
- Furnaces and boilers should be completely inspected by a professional mechanical contractor at least once or twice a year
- Electric meters should be sub-metered to make it easy to identify the largest electricity users at the hotel and to recognize problem areas. Set targets for energy consumption per meter
- In swimming pools, remove foreign material from the strainer baskets in the skimmer and pump regularly to maximize water re-circulation
- Implement an employee awareness program and encourage them to report energy waste to managers, maintenance or engineering personnel
- Shut down one or more of your elevators during periods of light traffic
- Program your elevator to remain stationary on the exiting floor rather than returning to the main floor
- Encourage staff to use stairs when moving between one to two floors when not carrying loads
- Use light-colored reflective surface on roofs
- Tint windows that receive direct sun
- Assign someone to monitor energy consumption on a consistent basis
- Implement a comprehensive preventive maintenance program to monitor all potential areas of energy consumption
- Turn off coffee makers, hair dryers and other appliances or personal electronics while guestrooms are unoccupied
- Use adequate amount of insulation in ceilings, exterior and basement walls, flooring and crawl spaces
- Use solar panels to generate at least part of your electricity
- Purchase minibars that use LED lighting and that incorporate energy-efficient cooling systems
- Metal tile panel roofing systems can help reduce energy costs. Also consider green roof systems that incorporate soil and plants
- Watch for scale build-up in boilers, hot water heaters, cooling towers, humidifiers, washing machines, dishwashers, and shower heads. Hard water that leaves scale build-up results in more energy consumed
- Contract with an energy monitoring and reporting service to track utility costs and interpret billing trends
- Beware of energy vultures: plugged in appliances, computers, radios, clocks, and other items that are on around the clock
- Purchase computer products that meet the Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency
- Purchase hand dryers with automatic sensor controls
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