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You should also review these general guidelines and best practices for managing energy throughout the hotel.
Operation and maintenance activities provide a cost-effective method of increasing equipment efficiency, reliability and safety. “It has been estimated that O&M programs targeting energy efficiency can save 5% to 20% on energy bills without a significant capital investment.” Many O&M improvements can be accomplished immediately and at a relatively low cost. The following tools can help increase efficiency and decrease energy consumption.
<- Perform scheduled maintenance on equipment.
Maintenance on HVAC equipment, gas boilers, water heaters and other energy-intensive equipment will increase performance and decrease energy use.
- Regularly clean filters and air-conditioning coils.
A very thin layer of dust reduces efficiency.
- Check for water leaks and repair immediately.
A hot water faucet dripping at a rate of 1 gallon an hour consumes $30 to $120 in energy per year.
- Replace damaged weather-stripping on doors and windows.
Damaged weather-stripping allows heated inside air to leak and outside air to enter, which requires more energy to keep building at desired temperature.
- Seal cracks around windows and doors with caulk. Seal duct work.
Cracks around windows allow air leakage and increase outside drafts, which require more energy to keep building at desired temperature.
- Replace inefficient equipment with high-efficiency equipment.
High efficiency equipment may be more expensive than average efficiency units, but the higher initial outlay can be recovered through increased energy savings.
- Install or upgrade insulation on water lines and ducts.
Insulating will reduce heat loss.
- Regularly check and clean condenser coils on icemakers and vending machines.
A very thin layer of dust reduces efficiency.
- Regularly service cooking equipment for greater efficiency.
Efficient equipment requires less energy to operate.
- Clean grills and grease filters in restaurants daily.
Clean grills and grease filters allow for greater heat transfer thus reducing the amount of energy needed for heating.
- Keep cooking equipment clean.
Carbon and grease build-up make cooking equipment use more energy.
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