Technology is bringing innovative solutions to hotels, most specifically in energy cost savings. More hotel owners and managers are adopting sustainable and energy-efficient solutions that include everything from smart lighting and harvesting solar power to air-source heat pumps for HVAC systems and automatic shutdown electrical sockets.

For hotels considering an electrical system retrofit or replacement, there is no better time to embrace intelligent electrical solutions. These solutions will keep things simple and easy for guests to turn their room lights on and off while also ensuring optimal efficiency and functionality.

Tips on Creating Electrical Solutions for Hotels

As you are planning your hotel’s electrical system, here are a few aspects to keep in mind.

Keep Your Electrical Solutions Simple and Easy

Automating your hotel’s lighting system does not automatically make it easier for guests to operate. So, how does your hotel improve energy efficiency without complicating your guests’ experience?

Our electrical professionals recommend starting by asking yourself a couple of questions.

1. Which functions provide the most comfort and improve hotel guests’ user experience?
2. Which functions reduce comfort and guests’ user experience

Your answers to these questions will help ensure your electrical solution includes what is necessary to provide guests with a comfortable experience in your hotel. Even though your electrical solution may not include everything the plan can support, there are a few installations you do not want to skip.

• Automated room locks
• Plug-in sockets
• Automatic lights
• Switches that include dimming controls

These systems are energy-efficient, convenient, and user-friendly. You may also want to include intelligent thermostats to increase your energy savings.

Prioritize Your Hotel’s Electrical Solutions

Prioritizing your hotel’s electrical solutions results in significant energy savings. However, hotels often use more or less energy throughout the year. This should also be considered in your strategy. Some solutions to consider include installing solar technology and automating some hotel systems.

Here are some tips to help you get started meeting your energy-saving goals.

Lighting

Around 25% of your hotel’s energy usage is from lighting. Installing energy-efficient lighting systems can reduce usage by up to 50%. Some ways to reduce energy consumption from lighting include,

• Installing energy-efficient LED bulbs
• Installing timers on bathroom lamps
• Using daylight for lighting whenever possible
• Switching to Energy Star-certified bulbs and fixtures
• Installing occupancy sensors on lighting fixtures
• Use solar-powered lighting whenever possible outdoors
• Installing intelligent lighting systems

Heating and Cooling

An estimated 40% of electricity used in hotels is from the HVAC system. Heating and cooling rooms not in use are a primary cause of wasted electricity and/or natural gas. Some ways to reduce energy usage from HVAC systems include,

• Linking the hotel’s energy management system to the automated check-out and reservation systems to the HVAC system.
• Energy-proof the hotel to prevent drafts and air leaks
• Regularly change the air filters
• Install smart thermostats in guest rooms
• Close off hotel wings when unoccupied or not needed
• Assign guests to connecting rooms to improve insulation

Maintenance, Management, and Housekeeping

Maintenance, management, and housekeeping use significant energy in hotels. Some ways to reduce energy usage include,

• Encourage housekeepers to turn off guestroom heating and cooling systems, lights, TVs, and radios when rooms are unoccupied
• Encourage the use of natural light for housekeeping
• Close window treatments to reduce heat gain during summer and heat loss during winter
• Ensure leaking water fixtures are repaired immediately
• Purchase Energy Star-certified products for the hotel
• Make use of power management features for equipment like PCs during periods of inactivity

Use Intelligent Electrical Solutions to Reduce Costs

Regardless of your hotel’s size, using intelligent electrical solutions will help you reduce operating costs. These solutions also indicate to consumers your hotel is concerned about the environment and sustainability. Green hotels often attract more visitors who plan on returning to the establishment in the future.

Some of the intelligent electrical solutions you may want to consider including in retrofit or design include the following.

• Smart climate control systems that allow you to program energy consumption around daily occupancy needs
• Smart sensors that monitor any fluctuations in real-time room occupancy
• Air source heat pumps that transfer heat from outside the hotel building to the inside—these can be energy-efficient space heaters or coolers
• Smart lighting systems that allow you to track activity and offer automation for users
• Solar power technology to run the entire hotel and reduce energy consumption—more hotels are adopting 100 percent solar energy
• Automatic shutdown electrical sockets that cut power when not in use
• Predictive energy management and monitoring systems that help identify hazardous or wasteful trends, predict maintenance needs and prevent system downtime

Intelligent Electrical Solutions with Action Services Group

Are you planning on making your hotel more energy-efficient or looking for intelligent electrical solutions? Contact Action Services Group to learn how we can help. From recommending electrical solutions to the planning, design, and installation stage, we can help you every step of the way.

To speak with one of our electrical project specialists, call 610-558-9773, emailing [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below.