It’s said that the only things certain in life are death and taxes, but hotel owners and operators are well aware that there are other certainties on the list—such as monthly utility bills. Implementing some simple energy-saving tips, however, can help keep utility costs under control and add a little joy to life (or at least to your bottom line).
William Fizer, founder and president, Lodging Technology, said HVAC is the “big elephant in the guestroom” and the hotel at large. According to Fizer, most hotels spend more on energy than what is required for guest comfort.
“HVAC equipment consumes 80 percent to 85 percent of room energy, often while guests are out of the room at the beach, sightseeing or in meetings,” Fizer said. “However, a properly designed occupancy sensor-based energy management system (EMS) can reduce room expenses by 40 percent to 45 percent and total property utility bills by 8 percent to 20 percent, without impacting guest comfort or convenience.”
As a first step towards creating an energy management system, Fizer recommends installing a wireless HVAC “kill switch” connected to the balcony, patio and exterior entry doors. This will disable HVAC system operation while one of those doors is open.
Fizer also offered several no- or low-cost energy-management measures for hoteliers:
- Position furniture to not impede proper air flow across the room
- Prevent draperies from blocking PTAC discharge vents
- Close draperies in the summer to reduce heat load; leave them open in the winter for heat gain.
Create a Seamless Experience
Automation technologies are essential to help manage a hotel’s energy usage, and investing in an EMS that intuitively adjusts to daily occupancy changes in real-time can improve efficiency while also helping to reduce energy usage and environmental impact. That’s the word from Neha Jaitpal, global general manager for Honeywell Hospitality.
Jaitpal said that an unrented guest room can be set to a specific temperature while the space is vacant and automatically adjusted to a more comfortable temperature once a guest checks in. If a guest leaves a room for an extended time, the system can autonomously change to an eco-friendlier temperature.
“The ultimate goal is to realize a measurable increase in energy efficiency that also creates a more seamless experience for guests,” she said.
Jaitpal noted that Honeywell’s INNCOMM offers a solution that combines automated controls, scheduling and analytics, both inside the guestroom and in common spaces throughout the building. The system, initially designed for the higher-end hotel market, was recently introduced to the mid-market segment with the same system functionality and cloud-based monitoring for a single hotel or an entire portfolio, Jaitpal said.
Apply In-Room Technology
According to Piercarlo Gramaglia, CEO of VDA Telkonet, in-room technology can significantly improve a hotel’s energy management efforts and also offers other important benefits to hoteliers. In-room technology can be used to:
- Monitor energy consumption in real-time: Use sensors and software to track energy usage throughout a property.
- Automate systems: Automatically adjust HVAC, lighting and other equipment to optimize energy consumption.
- Identify inefficiencies: Quickly pinpoint areas of a property that are consuming more energy than necessary and take corrective action.
- Create custom scenarios: Adapt energy consumption based on occupancy levels and guest preferences (e.g., reduced nighttime lighting).
- Analyze data: Use collected data to make informed decisions and continuously improve operations.
- Integrate multiple resources: Manage energy, water and other resources in a coordinated manner to maximize overall efficiency.
- Reduce operating costs: Significantly lower energy bills and free up resources for other investments, such as the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting.
These tips can add up in a big way for hoteliers by enhancing guest comfort, protecting the environment and gaining a competitive edge.
“[Hoteliers can] provide a comfortable and pleasant environment for their guests without compromising energy efficiency, reduce their property's carbon footprint, and differentiate their property by offering a more sustainable and efficient service,” Gramaglia said.
Integrate and Optimize
Nicolas Aznar, president, Americas at Vingcard, recommended that hoteliers utilize IoT-based solutions such as guestroom door locks, motion sensors, blinds, drapes and lights that can be combined into one unified “ecosystem” for enhanced and automated control and efficiency.
For example, integrations of door locks and access management systems with a property’s EMS can detect when a guest enters or leaves a room and automatically adjust in-room amenities such as lights, thermostats and TVs to minimize energy use. Similar integrations with software solutions across the entire scope of a hotel’s operations can help identify and implement other energy-saving efficiencies, such as refrigerators and freezers for food and beverage service, as well as IT and other backend systems.
“By integrating the various software platforms that typically are disconnected, hoteliers can uncover new opportunities to further reduce energy usage that might otherwise have been missed,” Aznar said.
He added that advanced location-based solutions can be used to monitor the real-time performance of motorized equipment such as elevators and escalators, identifying performance issues that might be consuming more energy than needed. In addition, hotels can also adopt a linen management system that can track the real-time status and condition of individual laundry items, avoiding issues such as items being washed more than needed.
Aznar noted that the ultimate goal is to use operational software solutions and integrated platforms to enhance the guest experience by optimizing hotel operations.
This article was originally published in the October edition of Hotel Management magazine. Subscribe here.