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Improvements in lighting technology and HVAC systems can reduce hotel operating costs. In addition, simple behavioral improvements can help save money on energy bills.
Chillers, Split Room Air Conditioners
- Ensure proper maintenance of HVAC systems—clean condenser, evaporator coils, and filters. The HVAC system's efficiency is reduced if dirt and dust collect.
- Select high efficiency units when replacing HVAC equipment. Like most equipment, the high efficiency units may be more expensive than average efficiency units, but the higher initial outlay can be recovered through increased energy savings in as little as 2 to 5 years.
- Seal cracks around windows, doors, and through-the-wall or window type HVAC units with caulk.
- Power off the A/C whenever you clean the room.
- Make sure that bathroom exhaust fans do not run constantly. Fans that operate continuously remove excessive amounts of heated or cooled air from guest rooms. Consider connecting the fans to the light switches in guest room bathrooms to reduce excessive operation.
Room thermostat—unoccupied set to 65ºF (18.33ºC) heating; 80º F (26.67ºC) cooling.
Lighting
- Clean Lamps regularly to avoid collection of dirt.
- Open drapes and raise shades to use natural light when and where possible instead of using artificial lighting.
- Consider using compact, T8 or T5 fluorescent lamps where practical. They require about one-third to one-fourth the electricity of incandescent lamps and last 10 to 20 times longer.
- Ensure that housekeepers turn off guest room lights, televisions and radios when rooms are unoccupied.
Source FESC
Heating and Domestic Hot Water
- Check and repair leaking hot water faucets. A dripping hot water faucet can waste about 5,000 gallons of water per year.
- Install flow restrictors in showers and faucets to reduce hot water usage.
- Reduce domestic hot water temperature to 130 degrees F (43.33-48.89 degrees C) at the water heater.
Computers/Appliances
- Use the energy-saving features on your computers.
- Avoid using the screensaver feature on your computers.
- Avoid using the stand-by feature on your electronic appliances.
References:
“A guide to managing energy in hotels” published by the BRECSU on behalf of the United Kingdom. Department of the Environment (DOE)
SAVE. Programme of DG XV11 of the European Commission and “Energy Savings in Hotels and Motels” adapted by Roy Johannesen2.
Maintenance and Green Cleaning Certification Programs:
The Cleaning Industry Research Institute is supporting two green cleaning certification programs, Management and Green Seal. The mission of these organizations is to advance cleaning and maintenance best practices.
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