- Make sure in unoccupied areas lights are off
- The decorative lights in the garden can also be switched of after midnight
- During daylight operation of garden lights can be avoided(presence of enough daylight)
- During times of low activity reduce lighting levels as appropriate (for example between meal services in restaurants).
- Operation of lighting fixtures need not be used in areas where there is enough daylight.
- To control whirlpool blowers, sauna heaters and other similar equipment there should be manual timer operated switches since the usage is intermittent. These equipment are run for many hours in some hotel though its used for a little amount of time.
- The heating or air-conditioning must be turned off, in no occupancy area and must be se to an energy efficient temperature.
- When times are in whirlpool blowers or sauna heaters its working time is longer, it ends up working a whole day without being used so the timers must be adjusted to low.
- At End of each day it should be made sure the all the electric appliances are turned off, like computers, copiers etc and also back of house also follow the same.
- Motivation and training must be given to laundry and Food and beverage department to turn off all the equipment when they are not needed major energy usage is from these departments only.
- House keepers who prepare guestrooms must be given training and motivation to follow energy conservation practice
USE OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (A2)
As mentioned earlier the lights, heating/cooling system are switched ON in the guestrooms of the hotel when they are away from their rooms this is about twelve hours a day which is huge. This can be reduced by the hotel fortunately by the use of Energy Management Systems this reduces the wasteful practice to limit the operation of light and heating/cooling systems in vacant rooms.
AUTOMATIC CONTROLLERS AND ENERGY-SAVER SWITCHES.
The most commonly used guestroom energy management systems is the special location of the switch which is found near the door controls the whole guestrooms lights and heating/cooling system. by this method the key card or the key ring is inserted in the switch leading to trip on the switch enabling the usage of light and heating/cooling system, so the switch controls the guestroom and when the guest leaves as soon as the key card is removed the it automatically turns off the lights and heating/cooling system thus becoming energy efficient.
An automatic control system is very efficient method it typically depends on the occupancy sensor and door switch ,it basically detects people in the guestroom, if it detects occupancy the controller enables the lights and allows the heating/cooling system to work normally and maintain the room at the Temperature set by the guest. In the same way, when the system does not detect occupancy, the controller disables the lights and either turns off the heating/cooling system or temporarily resets the thermostat to a more energy efficient room temperature (i.e., a higher temperature during the cooling season, or a lower temperature during the heating season).It Reduces building heat losses and heating costs in a all hotels tremendously.
WINDOWS
Hotels main loss of energy is the heat loss from the windows this is the weakest part of the building especially in winter months where the heating fuel consumption is more. Investing in windows that have a low thermal conductivity (or U-value) is, therefore, a cost effective measure which can significantly reduce both heat losses and heating bills.
The principal design features of high-performance window assemblies include:
Two or three layers of glazing (glass panes) - The trapped air between Adjacent glass panes acts as an insulator and reduces heat conduction.
· Inert gas fill - To improve the insulating performance of the window the Argon gas is used instead of air to fill the gap between glazings. These gases do not conduct heat as well as air and thus
· Low-emissivity (low-e) coatings: These coatings are deposited directly onto the glazings and reduce the amount of heat that is lost by radiation from a window.
· Window frames insulated: these help to minimise the heat since these units are made of wood, vinyl or fibre glass which are low thermal conductors which minimises the heat
Energy management systems typically reduce energy consumption in guestrooms
by 15 to 30% and achieve a payback period of less than 2 years
A TOWEL REUSE PROGRAMME (A3) (Travelodge hotels ltd U.K is following the towel reuse programme)
The towels in the guestroom is basically clean which is used just one day, Actually the hotels dirty laundry consists of up to 30%.taking washing in consideration there is a huge amount of recourses wasted which includes labour, chemicals, energy and mainly water not only these it does contaminate the huge amount of waste water with these chemicals and detergent. This makes a major impact on the environment and wastage of resources by implementing the Towel reuse programme making a difference and be environmentally friendly. The towel reuse programme is easy, If they guest feel to reuse the towel they need not put them in the basket or tub for washing .the guest must be encouraged to adopt to Voluntary towel reuse Programme.
HOTEL INDUSTRY FACTS IN REDUCTION OF ENERGY CONSERVATION IN U.K
- Marriott International, Inc is in the progress in reduction of green house gas emissions. Their important progression is being a part of global campaign which aims in the reduction of carbon foot prints and reducing the cost of energy. it ultimate aim is to reduce by one –fifth that’s in ten years time from 2000-2010.
- Apex hotel in London is following the policies in being responsible to the environment by following the principle and standards which assists in reduction of energy usage and energy costs.
- Intercontinental hotel group plc has targeted on reduction of green house gas for u.k ,its aim to reduce it to 80% within 2050.
- 10% reduction in Hilton hotels, the hotel has made this significant change through environmental policies which introduces the best practice of energy saving methods EMS. its targets will continue to improve in future in reducing energy.
LEGISLATION RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ( B1),(B2)
When it comes to hotel sectors legislation relating to environment they are the most ignorant surrounding the disposal of electronic waste according to christopher walton, and also according to Richard martin NetRegs Programme Manager, explains: “When asked, a worrying 89 per cent of SMEs in the hotel and restaurant sector could not identify any piece of environmental legislation unprompted – the highest of any sector questioned. At a time when the Environment Agency is stepping up its enforcement and businesses are at growing risk of being fined for non-compliance, SMEs cannot afford to let these crucial new regulations go unheeded. “so it is important to make changes to bring themselves in line with new regulations on waste controls and environmental damage to the hotel industry.
Two pieces of legislation are scheduled to come into effect during 2009 which affect hotel and restaurant businesses (B3)
· The Waste Controls (England and Wales) Regulation 2009 come into effect on 1 October and will affect all businesses that produce waste, regardless of whether they are actively involved in waste management. Under previous regulations, hotels and restaurants which carry their own waste did not need to register; now, they will have to register if they transport their own waste on a normal and regular basis.
· The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009 are expected to come into force during 2009. The legislation requires businesses to take responsibility for and report any environmental damage to land, water or biodiversity caused by their activities. Businesses will have to pay for the costs of rectifying damage.
· Buildings regulations 2000SI 2531(B4)
Introduces requirements for builders to calculate and display energy ratings on new or altered buildings.
· Energy performance of buildings (certifications and inspections) regulations 2007 SI 991(B4)
Establishes requirements for the production of energy performance certificates when buildings are constructed, sold or rented out.
· NEW EU Regulation on ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps 244/2009
Mandatory ecodesign requirements apply to products placed on the Community market wherever they are installed or used, therefore such requirements cannot be made dependent on the application in which the product is used (such as for domestic lighting).
CONCLUSION
· The hotels classification is an important indicator when addressing the issue of environment.
· Idea of reducing energy consumption by using energy efficient appliances makes a tremendous difference in the gross profit of the hotel.
· Following of an environmental policy makes the hotel eco friendly and guest friendly hotel
If all above energy saving methods and environmental issues are in place this can minimise energy consumption, provide free energy and reduce greenhouse gases in the hotel industry
Bibliography
A1 EMS Manager Mr.Kieth joseph, Stratford holiday inn express. (Telephone interview)
A 2 Green Building Materials
by Ross Spiegel, Dru Meadows
A3 www.makesnowsportsgreener.com (travelodge u.k has implemented and following the towel reuse system) www.travelodge.co.uk
By travel foundation,
CREATE Centre, Smeaton Road
Bristol
B1 Encyclopaedia of Hotel Management and Tourism
By R. K. Malhotra
B2 www.netregs.gov.uk
B3 The tourism system
By Robert Christie Mill, Alastair M. Morrison
B4