Hints and tips on saving Electricity

Energy-saving tips for hotels and lodges

• Air conditioners
• Water heating
• Lighting
• Electrical appliances
• Electrical motors
• Use a key tag system

Up to 35% of the total operating expenses of hotels and lodges are due to the consumption of energy. By simply reducing the amount of watts your appliances and systems consume each month, you can save energy immediately - and the cost savings will soon follow.

Here are some quick and simple ways to cut down on the amount of energy you use while ensuring your guests still enjoy the comfort and convenience they have come to expect.

The biggest energy guzzlers in most hotels and lodges are:

• Air conditioners
• Water heating
• Lighting
• Electrical appliances
• Electrical motors

By making a few important adjustments to the way these operate on a day-to-day basis, you will start seeing monthly savings on your electricity bills.

The first step to take is - if you're not using it, switch it off.

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Air conditioners

• Pre-cool the area in the morning during summer and pre-heat it in the morning in winter.
• Ventilate only when necessary. To allow some areas to be shut down when unoccupied, install dedicated HVAC systems on continuous loads (e.g. computer rooms).
• Seal all leaks around coils.
• Avoid reheating food and appliances whenever possible.
• Eliminate simultaneous heating and cooling during seasonal transition periods.
• Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled air. Adjust blinds and window coverings on windows that receive direct sun.
• Dress comfortably for the weather. Adjust your layers of clothing before adjusting the thermostat.
• Install awnings, solar shade screens or sun-control film to reduce heat loss and heat entry, which will save 5% to 10% on energy costs.
• Test for air leaks by holding a lit incense stick next to windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches and other places where there may be an air path to the outside. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have found an air leak that may need caulking, sealing or weather stripping.

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Water heating

• Using a heat pump instead of the conventional resistance heating system helps save between 40 to 60% of your energy costs. Heat pumps can also extract heat from air conditioning systems to heat up water.
• Seal exterior cracks, openings and gaps with caulk, gasketing or weather stripping, to prevent hot air from escaping.
• Consider adding insulation to water heaters.
• Ensure that hot water cylinders and hot water pipes are properly insulated.

If you do use a conventional resistance heater, you can still save energy by switching off elements during Eskom's peak periods (6 pm - 9 pm). Or, invest in a Building Management System (BMS) or a remote switching device to switch your heating and cooling systems on and off. The BMS system can save 15 - 25% of energy costs if you combine it with lighting, air conditioning and water heating.

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Lighting

• Replace your incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) as they last six times longer and use 80% less electricity. CFLs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can blend in easily with the d???cor of a room.
• Encourage staff and guests to switch off lights in rooms that are not occupied.
• The halogen downlights generally used in the main entrance to hotels, bedrooms and bathrooms can be replaced with CFLs or LEDs.
• Electronic ballasts can replace the conventional magnetic ballasts used for fluorescent light fittings.
• Slim-line fluorescent tubes use 10% less energy than conventional tubes.
• EXIT signs can be changed from incandescent lights to LEDs without losing the desired brightness.
• Consider adding skylights when renovating rooms to allow for greater use of natural light.
• Use candlelight globes in rooms and lounges as they use less energy and provide an attractive lowlighting aesthetic to a room.
• Maximise natural light and turn off unnecessary office lights.
• Use automated lighting sensors and controls to reduce lighting costs by up to 45%.

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Electrical appliances

• Switching to energy-efficient electrical appliances can contribute significantly to savings.
• LCD screens use far less power than the older television screens and computer monitors.
• Switch off computers, printers and copiers at night. When not in use, adjust the power management settings to activate the "sleep" mode during periods of inactivity.
• A laptop computer uses up to 90% less energy than bigger desktop models.
• Use standby electric generation equipment during peak periods in case of power outrages.
• Plug all radios, cellphone and MP3 chargers, fans and other personal electronics into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use. These devices draw energy 24/7, even when switched off.

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Electrical motors

• Invest in energy-efficient motors for continuous or near-continuous operations such as HVAC systems, elevators and other equipment.
• Consider downsizing the electric motors of your swimming pool and spa where appropriate.
• Swimming pools and spas: consider reducing your filtration time (from a typical 10 hours) to about 6 to 8 hours, preferably in Eskom's off-peak periods.
• Even if they only yield between 2 to 8 % in energy savings, these motors generally achieve incremental savings 2 to 5 years down the line.
• Switch off spare, idling or unnecessary equipment.

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Use a key tag system

The key tag system requires a tag, which is attached to a key ring, to be inserted into room door slot to activate energy inside the room. When the key is removed to lock the door, the electricity supply to the room is cut off automatically switching off the room lights and electrical appliances.

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