Technology

Hoteliers strive for energy savings

17 Jan, 2012 By: Andrew Sheivachman

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While there are many aspects of energy management that a hotelier can control— equipment, staffing, strategy—the cost of energy is a constant concern, especially during periods of peak demand.

"[Brands have] got their problem with the properties they own versus franchise groups, said Karl Williams, VP of energy solutions for Rexell. "The ability to know what the power rate will be early in an area and know what you can and can't switch off is the direction of today's energy management technology."

Sensors and other networked components can let an engineer know when a room is vacant or wasting energy, but without an up-to-date knowledge of energy prices hotels can still lose money.

"If you’ve got your building wired up, the technology is available today where you can deal with the property manager literally program a panel to control all the lighting," said Williams. "If you've got a peak demand issue, that change is going to be unnoticed but you can save your property some significant money."

From a brand perspective, identifying areas where costs can be cut without diminishing service is essential. Smart energy management can help grow revenue by attracting new guests and eliminating wasteful spending on excess energy and waste disposal.

"It's the owner’s business and what's maturing in the minds of our owners is an understanding how being sustainable is not zero sum to business results," said Paul Snyder, VP of corporate responsibility in the Americas for InterContinental Hotels Group. "They're starting to understand with increased intensity more broadly that it helps them drive top-line revenue because customers care about this. Investing in sustainable strategies also helps you save on costs and utilities, with energy being second highest in PNL besides labor."
 

Topic : Energy-management, IHG
External Source : Hotel Management