Educate cleaning and maintenance staff to turn off
lights and adjust thermostats, and implement preventive
maintenance programs
Lowering Energy Use in Lodgings
Reducing operating costs can be particularly challenging
in the lodgings industry, where the bottom line is directly tied
to guest service and satisfaction. In the face of rising energy
costs, hotel owners and operators must continue to meet guest expectations
for comfort and energy-intensive amenities like air conditioning
and heated pools.
The largest chunk of a hotel's energy use—42%—is
for heating water. Guest showers, pools, and especially laundry
operations account for almost half of a hotel's energy bill. From
large convention hotels to national chains to bed and breakfast
inns, owners and operators are challenged to lower energy costs
without lowering their quality of service.
The Good News?
Many hotels are finding that energy-efficient technologies and
processes offer bottom-line savings without any adverse impact on
guests. In fact, some are finding that their energy-saving, environmentally
friendly choices appeal to guests and attract reservations.
Many hotels have successfully implemented water and energy-saving
programs like Project PlanetSM,
offering guests the option of reusing towels and linens throughout
their stay. Other options for saving water and energy include energy-efficient
laundry
equipment, low-flow showerheads and solar pool-heating systems.
Efficient heating and cooling operations add to the savings. For
guest rooms, hotels can pre-set temperature ranges, lower or raise
the temperature during the day (depending on the season) and use
control devices that automatically adjust room temperature and lighting
when guests are present.
Designs for new high-performance hotels present an opportunity
to incorporate energy- and resource-efficient technologies from
the start, delivering energy savings up to 50% compared to traditional
hotel designs. Renovations to existing hotels—replacement of
inefficient boilers, lighting, and other systems—can save up
to 30% on annual energy costs. Even bed and breakfasts in historic
buildings are finding ways to reap bottom-line savings from energy
improvements without marring the charm or historic features of the
building. For more on designing
and renovating energy-efficient hotels, see the Building Toolbox
section of this site.
Implementing no-cost and low-cost solutions can yield savings
up to 10% or more. Controlling the temperature and lighting in unoccupied
guestrooms—manually or with controls—delivers small savings
that make a difference when multiplied over many rooms and many
days. Hotels can also implement energy awareness programs to educate
cleaning and maintenance staff about energy- and cost-saving measures
