Saving money with Hotel Lighting

Hotels spend exorbitant amounts on utility bills. One simple tip can save them $1000s: energy efficient lighting for hotels saves money. Now more than at any time before, businesses must look to curb energy costs. Hotels lowered room rates and offered free nights, but penny-pinching Americans find themselves unable to take the vacations they desired. With vacancies high, the energy bills stay the same unless hotels revamp their lamps.

Reducing your energy costs saves more than money, reducing your carbon foot print also helps to save the Earth. The savings could add up to $10,000s each year, adding the environmental benefits only compounds the savings. The key is balancing the needs of the hotel and the wants of the guest. Below we have included several tips to help your hotel leave the light on, and stay out of the red at the bank.

Night light, a not-so-bright idea

Hotel guests often turn all lights off for sleeping, but then leave the light on in the bathroom to navigate the dark terrain. Unfortunately, when they close the bathroom door with the light on, that costs the hotel, especially if the light stays on for hours. When enough guests do this, it can equate to approximately $5,000 per year for a 100-room hotel.

A motion sensor in bathrooms costs more money in the short term, but saves lighting and energy costs over the long term. On the flip side, motion sensors add a sense of technology and luxury to the stay. Continue the process further: install dimming devices, occupancy sensors and timed lights will save as well. These can be used not just in the bathroom, but throughout the hotel room. When the guest leaves to sunbathe or explore the town, the hotel doesn't have to worry they're costing money for lighting they aren't using.

Cost-effective lighting technology

Over the last 15 years, lighting manufacturers have developed new lighting technologies that emit more light, use less energy and last longer. Energy efficient fluorescent lamps might be the first step to take. Rather than the T-12 lighting tubes, switch to T-8s. The switch saves a minimum of 25 percent per bulb.

Another money saving tip is to replaced outdated energy hogs with compact fluorescent lamps and high-pressure sodium vapor lamps They bear resemblance to conventional lamps, but function with less energy. CFL lamps and light emitting diode lamps last longer, which eliminates time spent replacing them. Throw in the energy efficiency and they have double the power to save money. Additionally, LED exit signs can replace your existing signs. Also, replace existing traditional ballasts with high-frequency ballasts.

To save money on hotel electric bills, companies need to be creative and explore new technologies. For example, replace all lights in the shops and maintenance rooms to long lasting energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. Sensors aid in conserving energy, especially in maintenance rooms that often get left lit when nobody uses them overnight. A good redesign of hotel lighting to save money will best be accomplished by a complete overhaul that focuses on more than the rooms. Don't focus on the cost in one room, focus on the cost of hallways as well and weigh the benefits. Energy efficient lighting then becomes a cost effective way for hotels, or any business to save money on energy bills.