A Guide for Hotels: Boosting Profits with Energy Efficiency & Conservation
Lighting: Behind the Scenes
Most guests will never see the offices, laundry rooms, hallways and other staff areas of a hotel. Because these spaces don't affect the guest experience, they should be lit for maximum energy and worker efficiency. Be sure to upgrade incandescent bulbs to CFLs and upgrade T12 fluorescents to T8s or T5s. In hallways and other behind-the-scenes areas you may not need all of the fixtures available, so consider de-lamping unneeded fixtures.
In office spaces and other work areas, you can reduce use of overhead lighting by installing task lighting. Task lighting directs light exactly where it's needed and can be effective with far fewer watts. LED task lighting is also now entering the market.
Motion sensors can also be very valuable in behind-the-scenes areas and can be installed in storerooms, bathrooms and other infrequently occupied spaces.
Leading by Example: Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Through the leadership of Fairmont's hotel-based Green Teams, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa recently completed an extensive lighting retrofit. The hotel has replaced 44,00 bulbs with energy efficient fluorescents. As a result the hotel has saved 203,000 kWh and $61,000 annually. With a $55,000 rebate covering most of the $65,000 project cost, the hotel was able to realize a 2-month ROI.