Energy and Water Conservation in Lodging Properties

2. 11 Energy and Water Conservation in Lodging Properties • The Need for Water Conservation • The Need for Energy Conservation • Water Systems • Water Conservation • Electricity Systems • Electricity Conservation • Heating Systems • Heating Conservation • Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Systems • Air-conditioning Conservation

3. The Need for Water Conservation • The main reasons for water consumption in the world are: • increase in world population • efforts of emerging economies to industrialize • Water scarcity has reached catastrophic proportions in many areas of the planet. • One half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from water-borne diseases.

4. The Need for Water Conservation (Cont.) • In the United States’ Southwest, especially in Texas and Arizona, water scarcity is severe. • Drilling of deep wells has caused water tables to drop, which creates irreversible conditions in riparian zones and the drying of some creeks and small rivers. • High cost and low availability of water is a concern for managers of lodging operations.

5. The Need for Electricity Conservation • The use of coal for energy generation causes severe pollution problems. • Nuclear energy raises public concerns about safety. Examples of unsafe nuclear plants are: • Three Mile Island in the US • Fukushima in Japan • Electricity production from solar and wind sources is still insufficient for existing demand.

6. The Need for Electricity Conservation (Cont.) • The cleanest and safest method of generating energy is the hydroelectric plant. • Water power, however, supplies only a small percentage on the country’s energy needs. • The US electric grid is considered to be outdated, being prone to cause power outages. • High cost and low availability of electricity is a concern for managers of lodging operations.

7. The Need for Oil and Gas Conservation • Oil and gas deposits are being consumed rapidly by Western and emergent countries. • A barrel of oil, that used to cost $10, costs today about ten times more. • A commitment to conservation and energy management by lodging properties will reduce consumption substantially while lowering operating costs significantly.

8. Water Systems • In most cases, a reliable supply of potable water to lodging operations is provided by local utility companies, usually managed by the city where the property operates. • In establishments located outside city limits (a resort for instance), the property’s management is responsible for the quality of drinking water used. • Problems caused by hard water can be eliminated by installing a water softener.

9. Water Systems (Cont.) • In high-rise properties, pumps must be installed to propel water to all stories. A faulty pumping system may cause water surges in guest showers and faucets. This problem is common. • Some properties with below-sewer-level basements may have to dispose of waste water after it collects in a well. In this instance, a sump pump is used to bring waste water to sewer level. • Sump pumps are difficult and dangerous to clean because of accumulation of toxic fumes in the well.

10. Water Conservation • A water conservation program begins with the initiation of employees’ and guests’ awareness on how to conserve water: • Signs in public and employee areas reminding everybody that water is a finite resource. • Leaks in faucets should be repaired immediately. • Ghost flushing in toilets should be minimized. • Adjusting flushing mechanisms in toilets or installing newer two-button models will help conserve water. • Waterless urinals in public restrooms can save thousands of dollars annually. .

11. Water Conservation (Cont.) • Infrared sensors in public toilets, urinals, and sinks will reduce water consumption. • Plumbing fixtures can be fitted with flow-reducing aerators to reduce the flow of water. • Installing tunnel washers in the laundry room of large properties will reduce water usage. • A water reclamation system from laundry washers and swimming pools will allow for recycling water for other uses. • Covering swimming pools when not in use will prevent water evaporation.

12. Electricity Systems • The electromotive force of electricity is expressed in volts. The force of electricity is very high when it leaves the generating plant. • The force of electricity is diminished by using transformers. • In the U.S., 110 volts are used for lighting purposes. Higher voltage is required to operate motors and some appliances.

13. Electricity Systems (Cont.) • Wattage refers to the number of watts required to operate an electric device; for example, a 60-watt light bulb will consume 60 watts per hour. • The billing unit for energy delivered to consumers is expressed in kilowatts. • One kilowatt is equivalent to 1,000 watts.

14. Electricity Systems (Cont.) • Amperage is the strength of electric current measured in amperes. • For example, a vacuum cleaner motor may take 7 amperes from the electric flow to run, while a more powerful vacuum motor may require 12 amperes. • Electric cables inside a building are grouped into circuits. • The circuits begin at electric panels with breakers or fuses installed on each main cable.

15. Electricity Systems (Cont.) • The purpose of breakers and fuses is to cut off the electric flow to prevent the cable from igniting if the circuit demand is too high. • For example, if a cable diameter is capable of carrying up to 30 amperes of electric demand, a fuse of less amperage is needed to discontinue the flow just in case the devices connected to the cable would draw more than 30 amperes when on.

16. Electricity Conservation • An electricity conservation program should begin with creating awareness in employees and guests to minimize de use of power. • For example, asking everyone to turn off lights and equipment whenever possible. • Some recommendations to minimize electricity consumption: • Restricting room usage by floor or wing when the property is not at 100% occupancy.

17. Electricity Conservation (Cont.) • Reducing the wattage of light bulbs will save energy, although care must be taken not to dim lights too much. • Changing incandescent for fluorescent light bulbs will result in a minimum of 50% electricity saved. • In large spaces, electric discharge lamps will reduce energy consumption. • Space sensors, timers, and photocells will save energy. • Using appliances and other equipment during off-peak hours will lower the electricity bill. • The cost of energy can also be lowered by implementing preventive maintenance programs for in-house motors.

18. Heating Systems • Heat in lodging properties can be produced by using water, steam, or electricity. • A hot water heating system consists of a boiler where the water is heated, a closed circuit of pipes to circulate it, and a series of radiators or fan coils where the heat is irradiated or transferred by blowing air into the spaces to be warmed. • The water returns back to the boiler by mean of a circulating pump.

19. Heating Systems (Cont.) • Steam is generated using the same system as for hot water. In some large cities, steam is supplied directly by utility companies. • When using electricity as fuel, electric rods are inserted in the boiler causing the water to heat up. • The water in the boiler can also be heated using natural gas. Utility companies charge for natural gas per therm. A therm is equivalent to 100,000 BTUs. • In very cold locations, fuel oil is used by some large properties to generate hot water or steam.

20. Heating Systems (Cont.) • Electricity is a clean method of generating hot water, but a disadvantage is its high cost. • Fuel oil is less expensive than natural gas but it causes more air pollution and requires more maintenance. • In decentralized systems, electricity used in single baseboard heaters is a safe and clean method of generating heat, but its cost can be very high.

21. Heating Systems (Cont.) • Some properties use individual units rather than a central plant to generate heating. These units are usually heat pumps powered by electricity. The unit is either placed outside or inside the guestroom. • Some disadvantages of these systems are the noise of the motor and the high level of maintenance they require.

22. Heating Conservation • Heat can be lost by ventilation, infiltration, or transmission. • To minimize heat loss by ventilation, fresh-air intakes and exhaust fans should be calibrated. • To avoid excessive infiltration of cold air into buildings, self-rotating doors and windows with efficient glass panes should be installed. • A poorly insulated building will lose heat through transmission. A space heat loss can be calculated using the heat transmission transfer formula.

23. Heating Conservation (Cont.) • The heat transmission transfer formula is: T = A × U × (T2- T1) Where: T = BTUs per hour A = area of heat transfer U = heat transmission coefficient T2 = temperature inside (warmer) T1 = temperature outside (colder)

24. Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Systems • The typical refrigeration cycle is based on a closed circuit that includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. • Large lodging establishments use the absorption refrigeration cycle system. • Water-cooling towers are used in large units to cool the warm water flowing from the absorber and condenser units before returning it back to the condenser.

25. Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Systems Source: Milton Beychok and Keenan Pepper.

26. Air-Conditioning Conservation • An effective equipment-maintenance program, ventilation calibration, infiltration control, and insulation will minimize the loss of chilled air. • Conditioned air can be conserved by reducing solar effects. • The isolation of internal sources that generate heat can help conserve chilled air. • Kitchen and laundries are strong producers of heat.