HOSPITALITY LEADERS ARE UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE COST SAVINGS WITH ENERGY MONITORING
Did you know that 60% of a hotel’s carbon footprint comes from energy use? Not only that, but energy use is eating up 6-10% of the property’s revenues. Besides, your customers actually want greener properties – but they aren’t necessarily willing to sacrifice higher rates or forgo any kind of luxury. As the hospitality industry undergoes a huge transformation, both green and digital, to meet changing customer demands, hotels need to find ways to balance an optimal guest experience with properly implemented hotel energy management.
According to a study by the Carbon Trust, energy-efficient improvements can result in an average reduction in energy usage of 20-30%, leading to significant cost savings. John O’Brien, Managing Director at Carbon Trust Implementation Services, stated: "Our experience shows that the savings potential in the hospitality industry is significant, and can be achieved by implementing a range of energy-efficient measures."
The first step in any hotel's energy management program should be to install energy monitoring. The key benefit of energy monitoring is its ability to track and analyze energy usage in real-time. By identifying which areas and equipment are using the most energy, managers can make informed decisions about where to invest in energy-efficient upgrades or where to implement operational changes. Tony Anderson, Director of Engineering at Hilton, stated that energy monitoring systems have been crucial in the company's sustainability efforts: "Having the ability to monitor our energy usage at a granular level allows us to identify where we can make improvements and reduce waste. It's a crucial part of our sustainability strategy."
Energy monitoring can also help businesses save money by identifying and reducing energy waste. A golf club in North Carolina, USA, installed an energy monitoring system and saw a 25% reduction in energy usage within the first year. According to the club's general manager, energy monitoring has been a "game-changer" in terms of identifying areas for improvement and reducing costs.
"Having the ability to monitor our energy usage at a granular level allows us to identify where we can make improvements and reduce waste. It's a crucial part of our sustainability strategy." - Tony Anderson, Director of Engineering at Hilton
The use of smart IoT controls can further enhance the benefits of energy monitoring. These systems allow for remote monitoring and control of energy usage, providing greater flexibility and control for managers. Meliá Hotels International, a leading hotel chain in Spain, has implemented energy monitoring systems in their properties. According to Santiago Garcia Solimei, Director of Sustainable Development at Meliá: "We have seen significant energy savings in our properties since implementing energy monitoring systems. In addition, it has allowed us to track and report on our sustainability progress to our stakeholders."
Beyond the immediate benefits of energy savings and cost reduction, energy monitoring also supports sustainability initiatives and can help businesses meet their sustainability goals. By tracking and reporting on energy usage, hotels and clubs can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and transparency to their guests, employees, and stakeholders.
Energy monitoring can help businesses stay ahead of potential regulatory changes and requirements related to energy usage and sustainability. As governments and regulatory bodies continue to prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency, having accurate data and insights on energy usage can help businesses stay compliant and avoid costly fines or penalties.
After completeing a recent energy monitoring project, Thomas Mjomba, Chief Engineer at Mövenpick Hotels commented “We have installed online energy monitors that give real time energy consumption data. In just 3 months of operation, we have been able to identify faulty pump controls that kept pumps running unnecessarily and wasting electricity, we have also been able to find faulty cold room doors that led to high energy usage from cold-rooms, besides leading us to identify idle consumption in vacant guest rooms from equipment on standby mode. We are already saving 13% on our energy bills and expect more to come."
Perhaps best of all is that energy monitoring is a no cost solution as the savings generated far outweigh the project costs. Hotels can typically reduce their energy bills by 15%-30% with no capex spending required. What other project can offer such a business benefit with so little upfront investment?
In conclusion, the installation of energy monitoring systems is a crucial first step for hotels to improve their sustainability and reduce energy costs. The combination of real-time data and smart IoT controls provides insights that support informed decision-making and helps identify areas for improvement. Not only does this lead to significant cost savings, but it also supports sustainability initiatives, enhances brand reputation, and helps businesses stay ahead of potential regulatory changes. With the significant benefits that energy monitoring offers, it's clear that it should be a top priority for hospitality businesses looking to become more sustainable, efficient, and competitive.