Stay in the green: Simple money-saving practices for hotels
Running a successful green hotel is an exercise in energy efficiency. Just ask any hotelier. California hotel owners and managers have an obligation to ensure the comfort and security of all their building occupants. They also have an obligation to the environment, and energy efficiency is often top of mind.
Hotel guests, staff members and vendors all expect a certain level of accommodation, which can be costly. But green hospitality doesn’t have to come at a high price. Smart energy efficiency practices such as installing motion sensors and programmable thermostats can keep monthly bills at a minimum and can help hoteliers manage expenses over the long term.
There are several money-saving practices for hotels available to hoteliers whose goals are to keep their business in the green. Read about these options and other energy management programs below for maximum energy savings for your hospitality business.
The path to an energy efficient green hotel begins with employee awareness
When hoteliers add up all the energy expenses that contribute to daily operations, the final tally can be daunting. Temperature settings, indoor and outdoor lighting, and the overall functioning quality of your energy equipment can contribute to this number. The good news is, a lot can be done to curb energy waste in low- and no-cost ways.
Money-saving practices for hotels are easier to implement than one would think. Begin by asking your hotel staff to contribute to the hotel’s sustainability effort. Your staff plays a pivotal role to your profits. Study after study continues to confirm the link between an employee’s work environment and productivity levels. Therefore, encourage your staff to adopt simple green habits. As you can see, the tips below can result in notable savings and a more efficient green hotel.1
- By clearing obstructed vents, your business won’t have to worry about the extra energy required (a near 25% increase) to distribute air.
- By checking central heating and cooling duct systems for leaks, your business can improve its HVAC energy efficiency by 20% or more.
- By programming a thermostat to drop back 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours, your business can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs.
Though these efforts are small, they can lead to significant savings. Plus, the contribution works in your employees’ best interest, because a comfortable work environment can lead to improved worker productivity and morale.
Take advantage of energy management programs for your hospitality business
Here’s something not all hotel owners and managers know about: Participation in local energy management programs gives hoteliers access to energy efficiency retrofits at a reduced cost.
PG&E’s hoteliers customers can take advantage of the NetOne Program (PDF), which provides a free comprehensive survey of your property, prescreened contractor recommendations and post-job inspections.
Explore energy management equipment for increased cost savings
Hotel owners and managers can save on energy expenses over the long term by installing energy management equipment in your building. You can start small by switching to light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which can reduce lighting energy usage by up to 75%.5 You can also invest in larger-scale projects and equipment, such as high-efficiency water heaters, high-efficiency space heating boilers, demand control kitchen ventilation (DCKV) and more. Check if your building qualifies for rebates on any of these energy solutions here.
The success of a green hotel is measured by its sustainability. By committing to a few money-saving practices for hotels, owners and managers can improve their financial performance and meet their budgetary goals with greater ease.
Need help keeping your hotel in the green? PG&E can help. We offer 0% financing for qualifying energy efficiency equipment upgrades. Contact our Business Customer Service Center at 1-800-468-4743 for more information on rebates and incentives.
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