As described in other sections, improvements in lighting technology and HVAC systems can reduce hotel operating costs. In addition, simple no-cost and low-cost behavioral improvements such as those listed below can also help save money on energy bills:
- Ensure proper maintenance of HVAC systems—clean condenser, evaporator coils, and filters. The HVAC system's efficiency is reduced if dirt and dust collect.
- Use caulk to seal cracks around windows, doors, and through-the-wall or window type HVAC units.
- Power off the A/C after housekeeping staff has cleaned 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) for heating; 80º F (26.67ºC) for cooling.
- Clean lamps and fixtures regularly to avoid collection of dirt.
- Open drapes and raise shades to use natural light when and where possible instead of artificial lighting.
- For guest room lamps, use bathroom fixtures. 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.
- Replace exterior, hallway, and other 24-hour circulation lights with CFLs.
- Ensure that housekeepers turn off guest room lights, televisions, and radios when rooms are unoccupied.
- 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 110 - 120 degrees F (43-49 degrees C) at the water heater.
Cleaning
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.
References
"A Guide to Managing Energy in Hotels" published by the Building Research Energy Conservation Support Unit 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 Johannesen.