All entries tagged with “energy”![]() Water Conservation in the Hospitality Industry
According to the EPA, restrooms account for the biggest use of water, accounting for about 30 percent of hotel water use. This is followed by laundry operations and landscaping. Industry giant, Caesars, has dominated in the energy saving arena. Overall, the company has reduced its water use by seven percent per square foot of indoor space from 2008 to 2012 with plans to continue cutting back. These accomplishments are due to the installation of 10,700 low-flow shower heads that produce 1.8 gallons per minute compared to the average 2.5 gallons per minute. They have also installed low-flow sink aerators, which save an estimated 50.5 million gallons per year. Caesars also sets an example for energy saving in the laundry room. By installing tunnel washers, the company was able to reduce water consumption in laundry facilities by 30 million gallons per year, predicting annual savings of $135,000 to $218,000. To cut back on landscaping water usage, Caesars reduced the amount of water on its golf courses, using desert vegetation in some areas opposed to grass. While water is a big problem in Las Vegas, executives at Caesars are turning to new and innovative solutions to reduce energy costs including reusing rain water and extracting water from food waste etc. As the hotel industry becomes more aware of energy costs, so are guests. By asking guests to opt out of daily linen and towel washing, the American Hotel and Lodging Association estimates a reduction of washing loads by 17 percent! This not only saves water, but also extends the life of linens and towels, reducing replacement costs. The EPA recognizes the importance of conservation. In 2006 they initiated the WaterSense H2Otel Challenge. The program is designed to encourage hotels to use best management practices that will save water and money, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The program states that by simply replacing water using fixtures with WaterSense labeled models, the average urban hotel with approximately 150 guest rooms would save nearly 760,000 gallons of water and more than $7,000 in water costs each year. Participating hotels include Courtyard Hotels, Residence Inn, The Ritz-Carlton, Wyndham and Marriotts. To see the full list of participating hotels, click here. ![]() 'Tis the Season: Holiday Season Productivity Tips
We are officially in the midst of the holiday season, which means that the art of balancing the stress of gift giving and entertaining with life at the office is being tested. According to the American Management Association, about two-thirds of 600 full-time employees surveyed said they experienced stress during the holiday season. 44 percent of executives similarly say productivity decreases during the holiday season. Workplace consultant Anne Grady says that employee frustration doesn’t come from having too much to do, but rather from unclear expectations. So how can we balance work and play this holiday season? Here are just a few tips: 1. Know and Balance Your StressorsOne of the biggest problems with the holidays is an overload of personal to-do lists interfering with the growing office to-do list. If you’re having a panic moment, regroup and make a list of what takes priority. Dedicate specific times to get your to-do list done and keep your work and personal list separate. 2. Get Flexible At WorkEmployers can help boost productivity during work hours by compromising. Understanding the needs of employees can create a better environment and boost numbers over the holiday season. Managers should consider easing up on restrictions during this time of the year, offering incentives for good work and should the question arise – beware of opportunities to work from home. While groveling employees may be a temporary hassle, it’s worth it to keep customers happy. 3. Coordinate CalendarsThis is optimal time for PTO. Beware that you don’t cut yourself short in the office by being too vacation happy. Make sure that calendars are aligned and the team understands the needs of the workplace in terms of absences and vacation days. Keep a shared calendar so that if there are any discrepancies – you don’t corner yourself too late. 4. Don’t obsess about hoursYou’ve set a plan, you’ve set time off dates, and you’re giving your employees some leg room. Don’t stress about employees taking an extended lunch break or coming in a few minutes late, just be aware of their deadlines and work. If employees are not getting their work done, regardless of their time in the office, you will know and be able to act accordingly. 5. Relax!Tensions in the office this season will show in your customer appreciation. Relax and remember now is the time to be grateful and enjoy your company and work friends. Setting a healthy environment is key to a positive holiday season. ![]() Conserving Energy at Your Facility this Holiday Season
Over the winter holidays, the UGA Facilities Management Division works hard to reduce temperature settings and shut down unneeded heating and cooling systems, contributing to the $100,000 cut back in operating costs each year. Here are several tips on how you can conserve energy at your facility during the holiday season: Turn Off the Lights Unplug & Conserve! Use timers for equipment that can be turned off Encourage task lighting, rather than overhead lighting Using this advice, Ridgeview Medical Center (RMC) was able to decrease energy use by 6 percent in just 15 months, admitting that the first few quarters of the trial they saw only minimal or negative change. ![]() 6 (Easy) Steps to Cooling Summer Energy Expenses
FirstFuel, a company specializing in building energy analytics, monitored 60 million square feet of commercial buildings across the US. They report that America could save $17 billion just by making simple behavior changes and minimal alterations to operations as shown in the Guildford County School District. During summer months, energy-use is at an all-time high. Weather is a key energy driver as summer cooling systems account for 13-percent of total energy usage in commercial buildings nationwide – there is no better time to implement an energy saving plan. Below are some simple methods to cool climbing summer energy expenses:
We want to know: what are you doing to keep your energy usage lower during the summer months? How are you encouraging your team to get involved and help alleviate the extra costs of higher energy usage? Email us at media@forumevents.com to share your ideas! |
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