Hotels
High energy efficiency can have an immediate positive effect on your operating budgets. The first step is to development an energy management program.
Figures are based on Hawaiian Electric Company data and an average electric consumption of 76 kWh/square-foot-year. Energy use is affected by weather; number of occupants; building size and thermal integrity; cooling, heating, and water systems; and miscellaneous equipment.
Energy Management Program
An energy management program studies energy usage, how and where energy is used, and evaluates ways to save, reduce and implement energy conservation measures to increase a building’s operating efficiency. It can also involve training employees on energy-saving steps they can take.
Some areas to consider in an energy management program include:
Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
HVAC may account for 40% to 50% of total energy usage, so energy conservation measures for HVAC can have the greatest impact on energy bills.
Here are some ways to save energy on HVAC systems:
- Installing energy efficient air conditioning/chiller equipment. Rebate qualified.
- Installing HVAC fans and pumps with variable frequency drives that can control motor and pump speeds as well as the electricity needed to run the fans and pumps. Rebates for both fans & pumps.
- Applying window film to reduce heat loss. Rebate qualified.
- Adding insulation for windows and doors, such as weather stripping and thresholds.
- Installing a timer on supply air fans.
- Utilizing energy management systems.
- Decreasing the daytime thermostat setting.
- Installing a night setback procedure.
- Installing an economizer
Lighting
Lighting may account for more than 20% of the total energy used by a hotel. A lot of hotel lighting is still composed of inefficient incandescent bulbs.
Hawaii Energy has a number of rebates that help cut down the cost of switching to energy-efficient lighting solutions:
- Low-wattage T8 and T5 lamps with electronic ballasts can replace older, less efficient T12s. Rebate qualified.
- Reflectors enable delamping (reducing the number of lamps needed). Rebate qualified.
- CFLs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Rebate qualified.
- LED exit signs are even more efficient that fluorescent lights. Rebate qualified.
- Induction lighting offers long-lasting, low-maintenance solutions for hard-to-reach places and public facilities. Rebate qualified.
- Pulse-start metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps provide high-intensity lighting, long lamp light and high energy efficiency for spaces where lights are used for many hours and have high ceilings. Rebate qualified.
- Occupancy sensors, or automatic lighting controls, switch off lights when people leave the room and turn them back on when people return. Programmable timers can also turn lights on and off at appropriate hours. Rebate qualified.
- Light tubes and other natural light maximizers that can replace some electric lighting can qualify for Hawaii Energy custom rebates. Rebate qualified.
Hot Water
Hot water is used for showers, hand washing and in restaurants.
Some of the energy conservation measures which can be instituted include:
- Installing shower flow restriction devices to reduce water usage.
- Installing insulation on water heater tanks and pipe.
- Repairing leaks.
- Installing more efficient water heating equipment.
Each system must be studied in detail to obtain the possible energy savings.
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous equipment, such as room electronics, office equipment, cash registers and elevators can amount to more than 20% of energy used in a hotel. Consider purchasing ENERGY STAR® qualified electronics that are more energy efficient than non-qualified products. Ensure equipment is well-maintained to add to energy savings.
