green tourism awards - hints & tips (saving energy)

energy saving water recycling purchasing

The following suggestions are just some of the ways that companies like yours have previously managed to save money, reduce waste and win new custom. While not all of the ideas will be relevant to your work, they are all based on real-life experience and have produced tangible results. These are only general guides, of course, so if you would like more specific information relevant to your operations, please contact us. We will be very happy to help.

1. Fit thermostatic radiator valves. These ensure that you don't spend more than you need to keep each room at a comfortable temperature, and you can also use them to implement a 'zoned' heating system - reducing the heat in unoccupied rooms/floors when they aren't in use. Make sure your radiators aren't obstructed by furniture and don't set thermostats too high; costs rise by 8% for every 1°C increase above 19°C.

2. Fit energy efficient light bulbs in place of conventional ones. Low energy bulbs last substantially longer and their higher price is more than offset by the 60% plus energy savings they will enable you to achieve. There are many different shapes available to suit virtually all kinds of lamps and shades. And why use light bulbs at all when daylight is free? By keeping windows and skylights clean and unobstructed, you can often reduce your lighting bill very considerably.

3. Install loft insulation and draught excluders. Even relatively simple and cheap measures like fitting draught excluders can make a big difference to the temperature of living areas, which can mean that you spend a lot less on heating them. Loft insulation is almost invariably cost effective, and even some of the more expensive measures such as cavity wall insulation and fitting double glazing can yield substantial savings in the longer term.

4. Avoid leaving televisions in stand-by mode. While it may be convenient to switch them on and off with a remote control, televisions still consume a large amount of electricity when they are on stand-by. Switching them off when guests leave means that you will not be paying needlessly to power a TV in an empty room.

5. Use automatic controls to reduce your energy costs. There are many reliable timers and control devices available today that will help you to cut costs and reduce the amount of energy you use. Timers can be used on heating and lighting controls, and automatic movement sensors can help to ensure that lights are not left burning in empty corridors and rooms. Similarly, if you have external lighting, you can use a timer or an inexpensive photo-sensor to ensure that they are switched off during daylight hours.

6. Promote energy awareness. One of the cheapest and most effective options is to ensure that you and any staff you might employ are aware of how they can prevent wasted energy. Simple actions - like closing doors properly and checking that lights and appliances are switched off after use - are the easiest to implement, yet they can often have the most significant effect on cost reduction.

The following pages have more tips about saving water, recycling and purchasing policies.