Energy Efficiency for Lodging Businesses: A Practical Guide

If you run a lodging business of any kind, it is important for your bottom line that you learn how to save energy. The key to saving energy in this business is working with your three main departments: housekeeping, maintenance, and management.

Ask your housekeepers to:

• Turn off the lights in rooms that are not being used after they've cleaned them. Make sure they've turned off the TV and radios, too.
• Turn off the heating and cooling systems in unused rooms, resetting the thermostat accordingly.
• Ask them to use as much natural light as possible when cleaning.
• Close windows and drapes in all rooms that are not in use.

Ask your maintenance team to:

• Repair any and all water leaks from sinks, showers, and toilets as soon as possible.
• Seal cracks around windows and doors.
• Regularly check the heating and cooling systems, replacing filters and repairing parts as needed.
• Change light bulbs to high efficiency.

Ask your management crew to:

• Use standby mode on all computer equipment.
• Consider upgrading computers and appliances to Energy Star complaint ones.
• When occupancy is low, shut down entire wings or floors to reduce energy consumption in those areas.
• Assign guests to adjoining rooms for heating and cooling efficiency.
• Consider installing a central control system so the management staff has access to control HVAC and lighting on a room-by-room basis.