Enigin Update - Hotels Ripe for Energy Efficiency Benefits
THE U.S. Environmental Protection Agency claim that American hotels spend around $2,200 per room on energy annually, about six percent of all operating costs presenting an opportunity for major savings.
A reduction in energy consumption of just twenty per cent could be the same as raising the average annual room rate by $1000.
This saving, and with the right energy efficiency solutions it could be more, can see a substantial return for any hotel, making a real difference in a large hotel or hotel chain, as has proved to be the case for Marriott International.
Marriott took a simple step of changing their lighting and laundry systems across what they have labelled as their green hotels. The saving Marriott made cam to almost $6 million in 2006 alone, along with reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 70,000 tons.
Marriott have taken a strong environmental stand, and not just for the savings they are enjoying. Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Marriott revealed that they realise it will win them more business:
“We believe going green is good for business, after all we are all guests on the planet,” Sorenson said.
He also stated that an average three day conference attended by 1,000 participants at one of their hotels uses about 200,000 kilowatts of power, so reducing this through energy efficiency measures can have a dramatic impact on their carbon footprint and their utility bills.
Another hotel that has turned to energy efficiency to increase business and save money is the Washington D.C. based Willard Intercontinental, just by changed to energy efficient lighting in guest rooms and common areas, they have saved $100,000 in 12 months. The upgrades they made were paid for in six months, with the added benefit that guest complaints about lighting quality decreased.
Hotels are proving to be ripe to enjoy the benefits of energy efficiency from increased business due to a responsible environmental policy and protecting their bottom-line by reducing the ever increasing costs of energy.
Enigin Distributors worldwide have the products that are already enabling many hotels to save substantially. From installation of Enigin PLC's real-time energy management system Eniscope through to follow up energy saving technology and upgrades, Enigin Distributors are delighted to help reduce green house gas emissions and save hotel owners money on their energy bills.
Picture of Hotel Rio by Victor Zamorano
