Green energy efficient in a hostel.
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We're going green... :D Does anyone have any advices on this? I am planning to install the solar system in my building. Although the installation cost is very expensive, but from what I read it will pay itself off within 5 years. So this could be a good investment? I also plan to have a skylight on the ceiling above the stairway. I love the skylight. My house has two skylights and I found that they’re really helpful for getting my house bright and warm in the winter.
I am also curious about a tankless water heater. I saw this kind of heater in Asia and some countries I visited in Europe. However, this is still new in North America where most of us have the big water heater tank which really takes up space and also is not too nice for the eyes. Besides that the water tank will have to maintain hot water all day and the heat will leak out and cause wasted energy. I have a very large water heater in my rental house, and I have to hold my breath every time when I open the utility bill envelop, especially in the winter. In order to supply hot water enough for a 90-100 beds hostel, I figure we probably need 3-4 large water heaters and now we still have no idea where to place them. So right now, I am really digging on the tankless water heater. Did anyone use this kind of heater in your hostel and have any suggestions?
Thank you!!! Any advices or ideas on the energy saving would be appreciated. :)
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15 years
We're going green... :D Does anyone have any advices on this? I am planning to install the solar system in my building. Although the installation cost is very expensive, but from what I read it will pay itself off within 5 years. So this could be a good investment?
You´re talking about solar water heating, right? We had an engineer doing the math for us and he came up with 7 years until it pays off. We will install it in our next two hostels.
I am also curious about a tankless water heater.
Gas-powered?
I think it´s no good idea because in a hostel you need very large quantities of hot water when everybody takes a shower in the morning and tankless heaters might not cope with it.
15 years
Regarding solar water heating, make sure you figure into the costs that sometimes the sun isn't there to get the water hot enough, and it needs to be "boosted" usually by electricity..
15 years
You will almost definitely not be able to install enough heating panels for the entire warm water consumtion anyway. You need about 1.5 square meters per person.
That means: the tank will always be hooked up with the panels AND a conventional heating system, which kicks in if the heat from the panels is not sufficient.
By the way, you don´t need sunny days. My mom´s house has solar water heating panels and they even work on foggy winter days - obviously not as good as on a hot summer day though.
15 years
Gas-powered?
I think it´s no good idea because in a hostel you need very large quantities of hot water when everybody takes a shower in the morning and tankless heaters might not cope with it.
Oh I mean something like this. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100011293
We will only have 4 and 6 beds ensuites. So I am not sure if this kind of water heater will work for us.
15 years
Ah, OK, I see.
Without doubt, they´re cheap to install, but I think they´ll be a pain in the ass. When one person has showered the 4 gallons will be gone and the next will have to wait until it heats up again.
Have you got central heating? If so, a big water tank can be hooked up with it and you´ll have all the warm water you need. If you use solar water heaters you will have to install a water tank anyway (around 1000 liters at least).
15 years
^^ I think we still need the big water heater in the basement where supposedly will be our kitchen, dining and laundry room. I read that this tankless water heater isn't heavy duty enough to use all day in the kitchen. But yeah, the installation is definitely cheaper. My contractor really recommends it because some companies offer a life-time warrantee. I still don't know the total costs though.
15 years
What about Reclaimed water from the shower and sink to the toilet, this will not lower your electric bill, but it will reduce your water consumption. What about a wind mill to generate electricity ? I suppose this comes down to three criteria; Is there enough space on the property, Do you own or lease the property, and is there the money to buy and install the machine?
15 years
^^I saw that in Japan. Pretty cool. They reuse water from the wash basin and shower. The used water run to the toilet. I've never seen something like this in US though.
I don't know much about the wind mill. I guess it's more popular in the rural area and the seaside. In DC, they actually have some kinds of tax relief program for DC residence to switch to solar. I also don't think it's allowed in Washington, DC too. You know it's the US capital city. It's funny I watched the news the other days about some environmental lobbyists are not fans of the Wind mill. They say it's ugly and destroy good scenery. But the locals argued that it's most cost efficient and cleaniest energy. Plus it's cheaper than the solar.
We bought the building. It's been a very long process for getting it. Yes, it's a lot of money to fix it.
15 years
They are all good ideas, both for the environment and the bottom line. I know there are some tax breaks for going green, and some community colleges are offering classes in green building and energy management. I did not know if your hostel was in a rural or urban setting.
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