Top 10 Low/No-Cost Tips to Cut Hotel Energy Bills Today

Energy typically accounts for three to five percent of a hotel's total operating expenses.  Getting the most value out of every energy dollar can improve profitability.  Edison Electric Institute offers some quick and easy ways to start lowering a hotel's energy bills.  The measures cost little or nothing.  But the returns could surprise you.

1. Get housekeeping staff on board.  Little things they can do to in each room-resetting thermostats, closing drapes, reporting water leaks, and turning off lights-will add up to make a big difference in energy costs.
2. Reduce public area air conditioning use during unoccupied hours.
3. Raise office and public area cooling settings during occupied hours.
4. Turn off unneeded lights in offices and public areas.
5. When replacing bulbs, use lower wattage or ones that are more efficient.
6. Have your heating, ventilating, air conditioning, icemakers, and refrigeration equipment periodically serviced and adjusted as needed.
7. Turn off office machines and equipment overnight and when not needed.
8. Check automatic controls for proper working condition and settings.
9. Lower water temperature settings; for hand washing and showering,
   105 degrees F is the recommended setting.
10. Control outdoor lighting, use only lighting necessary to do the job.