rom economy lodgings to five star resorts, lighting plays a key role in the hospitality experience. It creates dramatic architectural effects in new properties and helps update the look of existing facilities. Beyond aesthetics, proper lighting increases the safety and security of guests and performs important guidance and directional functions throughout the property.
Continuing technical advances in the lighting industry have produced new light sources that are both cost effective and that perform up to or better than older technologies. While some of the newer light sources may cost more initially, the resulting electrical and maintenance savings often equate to an impressive 30 to 600 percent return on investment (see table). What's more, making the best possible choices for light sources and fixtures cannot only add to a company's bottom line, it can help establish it as a good corporate
citizen that contributes toward energy
savings and the environment.
Benefits of efficient lighting systems
The energy programs and policies of any hotel, motel or
resort should begin with a thorough evaluation of its existing lighting
systems. Rather than considering energy as a fixed cost,
properties should regularly audit and review
their expenditures in order to identify areas for potential savings.
An upgraded lighting system not
Industrial Lighting, the U.S. lodging industry spends $1.41 per square foot on energy annually, with hotel utility costs averaging approximately 3.9 percent of total revenue. Energy efficient lighting solutions can reduce these energy expenditures by up to 75 percent, simply by replacing outdated inefficient lamping. The difference can be even more dramatic when combined with such features as occupancy sensors and daylighting techniques.
After energy, maintenance ranks as the second largest cost, representing about 9 percent of total lighting costs. Since lamp life drives maintenance costs, installing longer life lamps is a great way to minimize maintenance dollars and thereby reduce labor and operating expenses.
Energy efficient lighting not only reduces operating costs, it also supports a clean and sustainable environment. Guests have responded positively to other environmental policies in the lodging industry, such as giving guests the option to re use bath towels and not have their linens changed daily in order to lower water usage and heating costs. In the same way, a responsible energy policy shows environmentally aware travelers that the company is a steward of the environment.
Light source primer for hospitality buildings
From guest rooms to large public
Compact fluorescent and HID light sources, such as this, are primarily used in hotels and restaurants for the facades and parking areas, as well as interior spaces.
only quickly recoups its cost, but continues to provide significant energy savings for years to come. Increased energy efficiency in the property's lighting system can also help offset higher energy costs from other sectors, such as fuel prices or a general increase in utility rates.
According to GE Consumer and