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Regulation of heating/cooling needs
The installation of thermostatic controls (i.e. in hotel rooms) helps deliver savings through individual
controls of the needs. Ideally, this should be installed together with an automatic control of the heating
(and air-conditioning) system. Return on investments for such solutions is rather quick. Occupancy-linked
controls and automatic devices to switch on/off heating/air-conditioning helps regulating better the
energy consumption.
For businesses were different building areas have different building needs, the installation of a zone
regulation for heating/cooling can be considered. This will allow to set different temperatures for different
zone and further reduce energy consumption, while maximising comfort (e.g. 20-21° for occupied hotel
room, but lower temperature for unoccupied conference rooms).
Ventilation control
When renovating the ventilation system, ventilation control can be optimised through the installation of
outdoor air supply control or economiser cycle (which use outdoor cooler air to reduce cooling needs and
save air-conditioning needs).
3. Investing in equipment to raise control of lighting and water systems
Controlling properly the lighting and water systems help raising cost-savings through a decrease of
electrical and water consumption. Specific systems can be installed to achieve such control.
Investments in the lighting system
Lighting zone control helps optimising energy consumption. This
can be made possible through the installation of equipment which
automatically switch-on/off lights of some parts of the building at
pre-set time, or when a room is occupied/un-occupied. Some devices
also dim light when there is enough natural daylight in a room.
It is also possible to optimise (at the conception stage) building design
and interior layout to maximise use of natural light and minimise
impact of glazed areas on heating/cooling needs.
Investments to better manage water consumption
Hotel bathrooms can be equipped with low-flow showerheads.
Moreover, hot water closed loops help making saving, as the hot
water used returns to the water heater. It is also possible to install
equipment to use heat waste from air-conditioning to pre-heat water.
When the hotel structure requires long pipe runs for the hot water
supply, think about installing local instant water heaters (this should
be considered when installing/renovating the hot water system).
Making tourism more resource efficient: guidance and solutions to raise energy efficiency in the european hospitality industry
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