Energy and Water Conservation in Lodging Properties

Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HOUSEKEEPING MANAGEMENT

SECOND EDITION ︳MATT A. CASADO


CHAPTER

Main Concepts

11Energy 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


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.


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.


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.


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• The US electric grid is considered to be outdated, being prone to cause power outages.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.


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.


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.


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.


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.

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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.


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.


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.



• 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.



• 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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


HEATING CONSERVATION (CONT.)

• The heat transmission transfer formula is:

T = A × U × (T2 - T1 )Where: T = BTUs per hour

A = area of heat transferU = heat transmission coefficientT2 = temperature inside (warmer)T1 = temperature outside (colder)


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.


REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

Source: Milton Beychok and Keenan Pepper.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Refrigeration.png


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.

Documents

Energy and Water Conservation in Lodging Properties