ebmpapst is a world leader in the motors and fans used in air conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration and heating equipment: the chances are very high that their products are in use right now within your hotel, restaurant, pub or catering establishment. Over 40 years of experience and innovation, combined with a range of no less than 14,500 products, means that they are extremely well informed on the technology that will deliver maximum energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption (and cost) for hospitality businesses.
H&C News was pleased, therefore, to receive an invitation to attend the ebmpapst seminar on Energy Savings in the Hospitality Industry, held at their UK ‘state of the art’ headquarters last week.
Well attended by building services and energy consultants and industry – who clearly understand that the hospitality sector needs to address this issue – the seminar speakers provided a range of approaches that consistently identified how the technology was and is improving, and the benefits it can bring.
The UK hospitality industry spends well over £1 billion every year on energy, and it is estimated that at least 20% of that figure could be cut: such a saving would represent more than a 5% increase in sales, and a serious contribution to profit.
Utility cost increases multiply opportunities
As energy and utility costs continue to increase, therefore, the payback for investment in improved equipment will accelerate, and Mark Sait, of SaveMoneyCutCarbon.com was one of the speakers to detail many of these. Significant savings can be made across all hospitality establishments:
- Taps water up to 50%
- Showers water up to 70%
- Heating/air conditioning eeeenergy up to 40%
- Toilets water up to 40%
- LED lighting eenergy up to 75%
Installation of new equipment that is on the Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) list will also attract a substantial tax ‘break’ which helps to offset the capital cost.
And – maintenance and management of equipment can also make a very substantial difference to running costs: heating boilers and systems often suffer from lack of maintenance.
Upgrades can be the solution
It’s not always necessary to replace equipment or systems: upgrades can deliver a marked improvement in performance, as Robert Harness from ebmpapst pointed out.
Consider changing fans in existing plant: it can reduce energy, improve performance, and save money in many items of equipment, but expertise is essential in order to fit the appropriate new fans to deliver the efficiencies promised.
The need for employee engagement
It was, however, pointed out that many clients are reluctant to share their experiences: sometimes because the promised performance had not been delivered for a variety of reasons, sometimes to retain competitive advantage!
One speaker at the seminar was nonetheless prepared to share experience – off the record! – and was frank in outlining the problems faced, which were very often the result of staff ‘interaction’ with equipment. From the laughable and basic –‘I didn’t turn it off because I was worried it wouldn’t turn back on’ – to lack of adequate commissioning and programming of systems controls, it’s clear that employee training, support and engagement is key. However good the technology, staff can find a way to undermine it unless they are trained and motivated.
Systems and measurement are vital
In the final presentation, Mike Malina of Energy Solutions Associates had two key messages.
First: use the Energy Hierarchy to ensure that you take full advantage of the ‘easy wins’ before you proceed to the more difficult – and expensive:
- Reduce the need for energy in the building’s design
- Use energy more efficiently (for example, use of controls)
- Supply energy from low carbon and renewable energy sources where appropriate
- Remaining fossil fuels to be used as efficiently as possible and phased out as soon as practicable
Second: you can’t ‘manage’ your energy usage if you don’t measure it and understand how, when and where you use it. First measure, then analyse, then take action – then repeat the process to assess the effect before taking further action.
H&C News recommends
The very brief summary above can only provide an overview of the expertise and information that was made accessible by ebmpapst: attendance at future seminars is definitely recommended in order to begin the process of understanding the opportunities that are available, and the processes which can be used to find out what your business can achieve.
AND – hospitality establishments and organisations of all kinds are recommended to attend and find out for themselves what can be done.