By Thad Warren
Hotels consume a lot of energy to operate. A hotel's energy requirements range, including year-round temperature control, industrial kitchen management and room lighting, but keeping guests happy and comfortable is always a priority. Energy conservation methods can help hotel owners reduce overhead costs. If you're looking for ways to use energy more efficiently in your hotel, try some of the following strategies.
Just how much energy does a hotel use? Energy consumption varies widely depending on several factors, such as:
These factors affect hotel energy consumption per room and for the entire facility. For instance, hotels with industrial kitchens and commercial refrigeration units use more energy than other hotels. Hotels in areas of extreme weather have greater demand for heating and cooling.
According to data gathered by the Environmental Protection Agency, American hotel energy use intensity (EUI) scores range from under 100 to over 800 thousand British thermal units per square foot (kBtu/ft2 ), with a median score of 187. On average, hotels spend $2,196 on energy per room each year, which makes up about 6% of all operating costs.
Keeping up with energy demands takes careful consideration and some adjustments for your operations. Thankfully, plenty of technology is available to help minimize costs while reducing a hotel's carbon footprint.
One solution is to invest in alternative energy technology, such as solar panels. You might choose to buy or lease solar panels for your hotel. Switching to solar can drastically reduce your energy expenses and decrease your hotel's carbon footprint.
You'll enjoy many advantages when you invest in solar technology for your hotel, including the following:
Alternative energy can help you save on energy costs while reducing your carbon footprint. You can also use other forms of energy conservation technology in hotels, including the following:
Climate control is necessary for any hotel. Smart thermostats can help you keep up with climate control demands in the most efficient way possible. These thermostats allow you to program automatic temperature settings based on daily schedules, weather changes and other factors. Some also allow the user to program energy use based on occupancy, using sensors to monitor occupancy in real time. You can make the most of the energy you use with a smart thermostat.
You should also make sure you have the most up-to-date and efficient HVAC system. HVAC professionals improve the technology every year — if you're using an outdated system, your energy use may not be as efficient as it could be. Consider updating your hotel energy management systems.
It's also a good idea to invest in smart lighting solutions. First, switch to light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which can be as much as 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs while lasting 25 times longer. Then, install an automatic sensor system so lights turn off when not in use. Another idea is to make better use of natural light — if possible, consider installing more or larger windows throughout your hotel.
A source of energy drain for many hotels is something called "vampire power." Basically, when appliances are left on standby, they continue to draw energy. An automatic shutdown socket uses infrared sensors or timers to decide when to cut off power to connected devices, eliminating the issue of vampire power.
Once you've made some technological upgrades, you can further reduce your energy expenses with these energy-saving solutions for hotels:
One of the most effective ways to reduce the burden on your HVAC system and save on energy costs is to keep your insulation in good shape. Hire a professional to walk through your hotel and look for areas where air is escaping. You should also use weatherstripping to seal cracks around your windows and doors.
Check your HVAC air filters often, at least once a month or so — more often during the coldest and hottest parts of the year. If a filter looks dirty, swap it out. As a rule of thumb, you should change your filters at least once every three months. When air filters get dirty, they make your HVAC system have to work harder to keep temperatures consistent. In that way, dirty filters contribute to your business's energy costs.
Keep a careful eye on your hotel's water fixtures. Leaking pipes will drain your operating expenses, causing other issues along the way. In fact, a leaking pipe can become a health concern, as mold thrives in a dark, moist environment. It can also lead to significant property damage in your foundation, drywall and other areas. Keep up with plumbing maintenance and repair leaky pipes right away — it will help reduce your energy costs and could prevent greater costs, as well.
Assigning your guests to nearby rooms will allow the heating or cooling of one room to act as a buffer or insulator for the other, reducing your temperature control needs. Gather guests in nearby rooms to simplify your heating or cooling.
When you anticipate a period of low occupancy, you can save a lot of energy by closing off wings or floors of your hotel. Why light up, heat or cool an area of your hotel no one is staying in? This strategy is an effective way to cut back on your operating costs during your off-season.
Hotels use a lot of energy for a variety of purposes. Taking steps to increase energy efficiency can help hotels save money. At the same time, it reduces your carbon footprint and increases your eco-conscious marketability. Several different methods can help you improve your hotel's energy efficiency, such as switching to solar power, upgrading your technology systems and keeping up with maintenance tasks.
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