If you're a hotel manager, owner or operator, you’ll be familiar with the impact rising energy bills is having on businesses. And for our Trail customers, balancing energy savings with guest satisfaction is key. 

In this article, we'll take a look at how your hotel can effectively reduce energy consumption without compromising on your quality service. We've got some practical tips to help you lower energy use, learn about your guest’s preferences for sustainable travel and see how technology, like Trail, can help streamline the process.

Why should hotels worry about their energy usage?

There’s more at stake than just lowering bills. Yes, energy costs are a major budget item, accounting for up to 10% of a hotel's operating costs and often the second-largest operating expense after staffing, but reducing energy also aligns with the expectations of modern, eco-conscious guests. Research shows that around 80% of travellers consider sustainability when choosing accommodation.

What’s more, a recent Booking.com survey found that 57% of travellers said they would be willing to pay more for eco-friendly accommodation. Hotels that adopt energy-efficient practices can boost guest satisfaction, save money, and reduce their environmental impact.

So, how can you reduce energy use in your hotel?

So how can you save energy, without compromising the guest experience? Check out our 10 top tips for reducing energy usage in hotels: 

1. Switch to LED lighting

LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy compared to traditional bulbs and actually last significantly longer. Not only do LEDs reduce energy consumption but, not as widely considered, they can also save on air conditioning costs as they emit a lot less heat. According to the UK government, businesses could be saving a staggering £1.1 billion by being more efficient with their lighting

2. Optimise heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) 

Use smart thermostats to regulate temperature, and install motion sensors where possible to adjust temperatures automatically and avoid heating empty areas. This can save up to 10% annually on energy bills, and upgrading to high-efficiency HVAC systems can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.

3. Control water heating 

If you set water heaters to a maximum of 60°C, you can save energy while still staying compliant and meeting health standards (Legionella bacteria can multiply in water between 20–45°C, but it doesn't survive above 60°C). Well-insulated pipes also help minimise energy loss. 

4. Turn off standby devices

Devices left on standby consume unnecessary energy, so use smart plugs or power strips that automatically cut power to these vampire devices to save you money and reduce energy consumption. 

5. Engage staff and guests

Make energy-saving a team effort. Educate your staff about best practices and encourage guests to opt out of daily linen changes with printed material in their welcome pack, or on discreet stickers on bathroom mirrors. Guests reusing towels slightly more can decrease laundry energy consumption by 20-30%.

6. Install low-flow fixtures and toilets

Low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets reduce water usage, which in turn lowers the energy needed for heating water. Low flow shower heads reduce the amount of water used by half but retain the feel of a normal shower. Simply changing these fixtures can significantly reduce water consumption without affecting guest comfort.

7. Use window films and blinds

 Installing window films or using blinds can reduce heat gain during summer months, leading to less energy used for air conditioning. In winter, they help retain heat, cutting down on heating costs. Research has shown that energy saving window film can reduce the energy used for cooling by up to 35%.

8. Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances  

When replacing appliances such as refrigerators, TV’s, opt for energy-efficient models. A rated appliances use less energy, resulting in significant long-term savings.

9. Perform regular energy audits

Conduct regular energy audits to identify areas where energy is being wasted. This can help hotels cut unnecessary consumption and target investments for greater energy savings.

10. Use smart lighting controls

Installing smart lighting systems, such as occupancy sensors and timers, can ensure lights are only on when needed. This not only saves energy but also extends the life of your lighting systems. On average, occupancy and vacancy sensors can save 30% to 60% lighting energy in commercial applications.

How can technology help reduce energy consumption in your hotel?

Technology can be a game-changer in managing and reducing energy consumption in the hotel industry. Here’s how smart solutions, like those integrated with Trail, can help hotels maximise efficiency and keep energy-saving on track.

Smart energy management systems

By monitoring real-time consumption data, smart energy management systems can reduce costs by up to 20%. Trail’s integration with the Carbon Trust energy-saving task page allows you to centralise these insights, making it easy to track energy usage, identify waste, and make data-driven decisions instantly. This streamlined approach helps you to make quick, effective adjustments and stay focused on both efficiency and keeping your guests happy.

Automated lighting and HVAC controls

Smart technology, like motion sensors and programmable thermostats, allows lighting and temperature to be automatically adjusted based on occupancy, saving energy in unoccupied spaces. Through Trail’s checklists and automated workflows, these systems can be easily monitored and managed as part of your daily operations, making energy-saving second nature for your team.

Data-driven insights for predictive maintenance

Predictive maintenance uses data from connected systems to ensure equipment is running efficiently and to prevent unexpected breakdowns. Trail’s platform provides actionable insights and maintenance scheduling tools, helping hotels to avoid equipment downtime, reduce repair costs, and maintain energy efficiency.

Here at Trail, we specialise in helping hospitality operators digitise these crucial processes. By integrating energy-saving tasks into a single, easy-to-use platform, we can help you to monitor, maintain, and reduce energy consumption with less effort, turning energy management into a seamless part of the daily workflow. 

Check out more about our hotel industry solutions to learn how your team can easily incorporate these strategies.

Ready to reduce energy costs in your hotel?

It’s no secret that energy efficiency is critical to your business. In this article, we’ve explored practical ways to reduce energy usage without sacrificing guest comfort, and how technology can help to simplify the process.

Our integration with Carbon Statement takes your energy saving potential up a notch by allowing you to seamlessly manage your energy tasks - from identifying and reducing energy waste to monitoring and managing costs - all through one intuitive platform. It’s more than saving money; it’s about creating a sustainable business that meets today’s eco-conscious standards.

Ready to reduce energy costs and boost sustainability? 

Let’s chat about how our Carbon Statement energy-saving integration can help you achieve both goals today.

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