HOUSEKEEPING
MANAGEMENT
SECOND EDITION ︳MATT A. CASADO
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CHAPTER 11
Energy and Water Conservation in Lodging Properties
Main Concepts
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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
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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 waterborne diseases.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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• The US electric grid is considered to be outdated,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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS (CONT.)
• 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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ELECTRICITY SYSTEMS (CONT.)
• 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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
HEATING CONSERVATION (CONT.)
• The heat transmission transfer formula is:
T = A × U × (T2 - T1 )
Where: T = BTUs per hour
A = area of heat transfer
U = heat transmission coefficient
T2 = temperature inside (warmer)
T1 = temperature outside (colder)
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING
SYSTEMS
Source: Milton Beychok and Keenan Pepper.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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.
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All Rights Reserved.