Unlike most businesses, hotels are open 24/7/365. Whether occupants are traveling for work, vacation, or simply need a place to sleep en route to their final destination, hotels do not close! As a hotel owner or manager in Ohio, finding ways to reduce your energy bill can be critical to your hotel’s financial outcome. Continue reading to learn more about electricity use in hotels and how to reduce your hotel’s electric bill.
Electricity Use in Hotels
Electricity consumption in hotels is continuous. These needs range from illuminating hallways and general HVAC needs to powering electrical devices in back offices and hotel rooms. According to energystar.gov (ENERGY STAR®), total electricity consumption in hotels breaks down as follows (rounded to the nearest whole percent):
- 27% – Cooling
- 23 % – Lighting
- 13% – Other
- 11% – Space heating
- 7% – Office equipment
- 7% – Ventilation
- 6% – Refrigeration
- 5% – Water heating
- 2% – Cooking
How to Reduce Electricity Consumption in Ohio Hotels
As a hotel manager, you cannot control how guests consume electricity while in their rooms. Whether they fall asleep with the television and lights on or forget to turn off their air conditioning, hotel managers in Ohio must find other methods to decrease their electrical consumption and lower their electric bills. Consider the following:
Heating & Air Conditioning
Avoid overheating or overcooling rooms and corridors. Although each occupant’s personal preferences differ, most guests prefer their room temperature between 68 – 75 degrees. During the summer, set your cooling settings to a warmer temperature and a cooler temperature during the winter so as to not overwork your HVAC system.
Service your HVAC equipment regularly. This could save up to 10 percent on your annual heating and cooling costs.
Avoid operating your heating and cooling systems simultaneously. This is a common problem in hotels. Be sure that back-of-house temperatures (employee areas) are set lower than the front-of-house (guest areas).
Lighting
Install motion activated lights or daylight sensors. By installing these devices, you can rest assured your hotel isn’t illuminating unnecessary guest rooms, bathrooms, etc.
Install LED lights. LED lighting (light emitting diode), is the most energy-efficient lighting technology available on the market. LED lights last up to 50 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs and 10 times longer than CFL bulbs. Doing so could result in up to 80 percent savings on your Ohio electric bill!
Electricity Deregulation & Benefits for Hotels in Ohio
By managing or owning a hotel in Ohio, you have the option to select from among multiple service providers—such as UGI EnergyLink. No longer are you bound to any utility for your electric bills and supply. The purpose of electricity deregulation is to lower prices and increase customer satisfaction by introducing competition into the market.
By looking into your electricity rates with suppliers in your region of the Buckeye State, hotel owners like yourself are given the opportunity to take advantage of a competitive market and lower rates. Even saving a few pennies on your kWh (kilo watt per hour) rate can save your hotel thousands on the bottom line each year.
Switch to UGI EnergyLink’s Commercial Electric Services
As a result of electricity deregulation, UGI EnergyLink can offer two pricing arrangements for hotel, travel industry, and other commercial electric customers: fixed pricing and variable pricing. Fixed pricing is an excellent option for property managers who must meet specific budget criteria with a constant price for the entire period. Variable pricing is suitable for hotel owners who are able to accept some level of risk by taking advantage of market pricing. Wholesale market conditions will dictate whether rates go up or down.
To determine the best electricity pricing option for your OH hotel, we will:
- Review your current buying habits
- Develop a plan for purchasing electricity at more favorable rates or terms than you might get with your utility company or electricity marketer
Contact us today or fill out our simple enrollment form to make the switch and see how much you could save!
