Hotels
Here are some simple ways to save energy in hotels:
Space heating
Water heating
- Tank-type heaters
- Volume water heaters (domestic water boilers)
- Storage tanks
- Pipes and valves
- Water temperature
- Showers and faucets
Make-up air units
Swimming pool
Laundry
Cooking
Building structure
Space heating
Boilers
- Make sure boilers and associated systems are part of the annual maintenance schedule. Ask your maintenance contractor to measure boiler efficiency at least once each year.
- Use electronic controls to operate boilers and heating pumps only when needed.
- It's critical to have your maintenance contractor check the control systems. Inadequate or incorrectly operating controls can increase your costs by 20 per cent or more. One key area for savings is night setback. Controls should be set so that general areas, offices, etc., are set back to 16 C outside hours of usage.
- If your boiler is over 25-years old, it may need replacing. Installing new, high-efficiency units can reduce your natural gas usage by 30 per cent or more.
- Ensure all bare heating pipes, valves and flanges are insulated in mechanical rooms and unheated areas. Often the pipes are insulated but the valves and flanges are not and this lack of insulation can result in wasted energy.
- Insulate expansion tanks and heat exchangers.
- Heat function rooms and meeting rooms only as required. If the rooms are not in use, set the temperature to 16 C.
- Instruct the housekeeping staff to heat unoccupied guest rooms to setback temperatures.
Water heating
Tank-type heaters
- Make sure these heaters are part of the annual maintenance schedule.
- Flush the tanks yearly to maintain proper heat transfer and improve life expectancy.
Volume water heaters (domestic water boilers)
- Make sure these water heaters are part of the annual maintenance schedule.
- To ensure proper operation, set the boiler operating control to a temperature above 65 C (150 F).
Storage tanks
- Make sure storage tanks are well insulated.
Pipes and valves
- Ensure that all hot water pipes, valves and flanges in accessible areas are insulated to reduce heat loss.
Water temperature
- Set the water temperature to 55 C (131 F). Settings above this temperature wastes energy; settings below this temperature can lead to increased bacterial growth.
Showers and faucets
- Install low-flow showerheads and save up to 30 per cent of hot water usage. Flow reducers on faucets can give additional savings.
Make-up air units
- Use electronic controls to operate the heating only when required.
- Set temperature controls to 16 C (61 F). This temperature is usually sufficient for corridors, stairs and hallways.
- Ensure that make-up air for the kitchen and other dedicated areas is used only when required.
- Insulate all heating ductwork located in unheated areas.
- Ensure air filters are changed regularly to maintain proper air flow.
Swimming pool
Indoor
- Adjust temperature settings in the pool so that the air temperature in the pool area is higher than the water temperature – this greatly reduces heat loss and evaporation from the pool surface.
- Cover the pools and hot tubs when they are not in use to further reduce heat loss and evaporation.
- Reduce pool-room ventilation rates at night when the pool is not being used.
Outdoor
- When you're heating the pool before the start of the season, make sure to cover it. This step reduces heat-up time.
- Cover the pool when it isn't in use to reduce heat loss and evaporation.
Laundry
Monitoring gas usage
- If possible, sub-meter the gas used for laundry. This step enables you to regularly calculate usage per item laundered. Reviewing these figures helps to ensure efficient operation.
Cooking
Monitoring gas usage
- If possible, sub-meter the gas used for the kitchen. This step enables you to regularly calculate usage per meal. Reviewing these figures helps to ensure efficient operation. Specific detail on gas savings associated with cooking can be found in our guide Managing your Restaurant's Natural Gas Use.
Building structure
Insulation
- When renovating, check insulation levels and upgrade to current standards where possible.
Windows and doors
- Draft-proof windows and doors with weather-stripping.
- Install double-glazed windows to reduce your use of natural gas. Double-glazed windows also help reduce noise levels and improve comfort levels. The payback period on this capital cost is typically 10 – 15 years.
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