15 years
You can get a fiberglass insulation jacket for the water tank, that will help to lower the energy bill. You can also buy aerator shower heads that use less water, the less water you use the less energy you use.
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. :)
- Comments
15 years
if you have access to your showers and bath drains, you can recuperate some energy from the hot flowing waters that comes down from them when people uses them by fixing a coil around the drains. Here's how it works http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13040
Basicaly, your cold water entry to your water tank is wrap around shower drains so the water entrering the tank is warmer than just the cold entry thus making it to desired temperture faster and with less energy. And because your water tank is filling in the same time as is emptying down, the system works when water is needed, simple and effecient way to lower your bills.
Good luck !
Marc
15 years
if you have access to your showers and bath drains, you can recuperate some energy from the hot flowing waters that comes down from them when people uses them by fixing a coil around the drains. Here's how it works http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13040
Good idea. I added it to the Eco-hostels wiki page.
11 years
I think tankless water heater is not good.
In our hostel we have two big water heater tank on the top our building. And the water tank will not maintain hot water all day. what we using is the air-source heat pump water heater which absorb heat from the outside air,normally the temperature is about 50 degree centigrade .in winter,lots of guests will use high temperature water so the heater itself will use electrical heating to the temperature what we set.the electrical heating will work if someone using water in winter and it will stop after the water temperature reached the temperature we set.
10 years
While I applaud your desire to go green, there are far more smaller and far less expensive things you can do in any hostel to become greener, a number of the actions we carry out are listed below, the biggest issue is getting the acceptance of you guests and their co-operation.
• LED bulbs installed where possible
• Computers are set to sleep to reduce the electricity consumption.
• All Food waste is recycled.
• Where possible electrical equipment is switched off and not left on standby.
• Cold Water washing machines are employed where possible to reduce electricity consumption.
• Guests choose how often they want the bedding or towels changed.
• All A4 paper waste is cut up into small notepads.
• All waste Oil is collected and recycled.
• The Hostel offers its guest the use of Bicycles and walking guides
• 90% Recycling of glass bottles cardboard and plastic
• Clothes in lost and found are donated to local charities.
• Toiletries have been replaced to large refilled soap dispensers.
• The hostel uses fair trade tea & coffee.
• We do not print any hotel brochure as such but direct everyone to our website instead, and we only employ e-zines, on line agents and social media to market the property.
• Scanning is employed where previously printers, were used cutting down on the use of paper and ink cartridges.
• Dual push taps in all toilets reducing the water usage.
• We provide our own UV treated drinking water reducing carbon emissions on transport
• Refilling of fresh water bottles available to guests to reduce the waste of plastic bottles.
• Walking and jogging route designed and promoted on website to increase exercise and wellbeing of our guests.
• We only use e-mail to confirm accommodation bookings as opposed to postal or fax confirmation.
• Staff regularly trained on energy saving issues.
• Food is sourced locally to reduce carbon emissions
• Zoned air conditioning for sleeping accommodation
• Bedroom lighting (& air conditioning) is controlled by timers and staff conducting safety checks, ensuring that lights and Air conditioning units are switched OFF, when not in use.
• Low level lighting employed to reduce the need for full lighting of a room.
• Air conditioning and fridges maintained on regular bases to reducing wastage of electricity.
• Removal of carpeting to ensure the floors are kept clean without the need for electricity eating vacuum cleaners and cleaners
• Light painted walls, ceilings and mirrors to increase natural lighting to save electricity.
• Building materials are sourced from local providers.
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