Conservation initiatives for hotels
Short-term initiatives
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) of WA has established a list of suggested strategies to assist hotels in minimising their linen and energy use:
Energy consumption
• Reduce the temperature or turn off pool or spa heaters
• Turn off any unnecessary lighting in non-essential areas, for example the lobby or foyer
• Turn off heating and air conditioning in non-essential areas, for example the lobby or foyer
• Ensure all computers, photocopiers and other office equipment are switched off at the wall when not in use
• Switch off kitchen appliances overnight such as hot water heaters, gas hot plates and dishwashers, and
• Ensure lights in the kitchen, back offices and so on, are turned off in non-peak hotel operation times, for example midnight – 5.00am.
Laundry
• Ask staff to launder their own uniforms
• Replace table cloths and linen serviettes with paper products where possible
• Reduce the number of bathrobes, hand towels, bath mats and face cloths available in bathrooms and en-suites
• Do not change towels on a daily basis during the course of the guest’s stay
• Reduce number of pool and gym towels available
• Replace duvets and quilts that require laundering, with blankets
• Do not change bed linen on a daily basis during the course of a guest’s stay, and
• Reduce the quantity of linen on beds, for example the number of pillows or pillow cases, additional sheeting and so on.
Guest advice
Hotels can provide advice to guests about how they can minimise their energy use. Some initiatives include:
• Reusing towels during the course of their stay
• Turning off appliances at the power switch when not in use
• Turning off lights when not in the room
• Limiting showers to three to four minutes, and
• Reducing air-conditioning and heating where possible and turning it off when not in the room.
To download the 
Guest Advice (24 KB) to display in your hotel
Long-term and general initiatives
Energy conservation
• Install an energy management system
• Replace or update old inefficient equipment
• Install energy efficient lighting
• Use solar energy to light signage and heat water
• Install controls and timers to turn off equipment when not in use
• Install sensors and timers for lighting control so that lights are used only when they’re needed
• Avoid using outdoor heaters, heat is lost to the surrounding environment almost immediately
• Regularly check fridge seals are tight
• Include energy efficiency in contracts with cleaners and security staff, and
• Check for leaks in air compressor lines. Just one leak with a hole of only 3.2mm wastes over 8500kWh of electricity per year.
Water conservation
• Install a rainwater harvesting system
• Recycle water where possible
• Use anti-evaporative techniques in the garden
• Use grey water for gardens, and
• Use high efficiency showerheads and fittings.
Keep your staff and management up-to-date with water and
energy conservation initiatives
(Source: Sustainable Energy Development Office; Office of Energy; Australian Hotels Association; Sustainability Victoria)