Energy-efficiency teachnology
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC)
Depending on the hotel’s geographic location, HVAC can account for up to 50 pecent of a hotel’s total utility costs: electricity, water, gas and fuels. The lates generation of air conditioners consumers up to 30 per cent less energy but are ever able to recover the heat they produce during operation. The heat, which is normally expelled to the atmosphere, can now be used to per-heat water for water for laundry on swimming pools to thus creating savings.
Not only has air-conditioning technology been improving over the past decades, but also heating systems have become more efficient, requiring less maintenance. Air-conditioning units, called heat pumps are similar to provide heating, air-conditioning and, in most cases, hot water. Because they use the Earth’s natural heat, they are among the most efficient and comfortable heating and cooling technologies currently available.
Probably the most cost-efficient system of heating is a gas-fired condensation boiler. They are capable of converting 88 per cent of the fuel used into heat, where as older models only achieve 80 per cent. Those recent boilers contain a second heat exchanger to use the heat that would usually escape through the chimney. Hotels seeking a very effective and comprehensive energy solution might choose to invest in the new combined heat and power systems which work like mini-power stations converting gas into electricity, heat and hot water. These systems are advantageous because their combustion efficiency is only about 10 to 20 per cent less efficient than fuel-burning public power stations and they also produce less carbon dioxide and sulphur because they run on gas.
Case study 3.1 Romantik hotel Muottas Muragl: plus-energy concept
On 18 December 2010, the first plus – energy hotel in the Alps was opened on Muottas Muragl, overlooking Samedan. Situated on Switzerland’s sun-blessed mountain terrace, the hotel is based on a ground-breaking energy concept: taken over the entire year, the mountain and the photovoltaic system together produce more energy per annum than the Romantik Hotel Muottas Muragl needs to run itself.