The Hotel Collection invests in green technology to save £360k a year

The 21-strong group has just invested £300,000 in a range of energy and water efficiency projects, including a new intelligent heating and cooling management system at the Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire and LED lighting in its hotel kitchens and function rooms. 

Although the investment seems high, The Hotel Collection chief financial officer Paul Nisbett, said costs would be recouped in less than a year and urged other hotel owners to look at how they could improve energy efficiency to save money. 

He said: “Water and energy efficiency should be on every hotel’s agenda as it can generate substantial savings. We are already saving £360,000 a year across the portfolio by implementing simple efficiency measures which do not impact on our guests’ satisfaction. 

“These projects pay for themselves swiftly, deliver lasting savings and add value to the business so we are continuing to identify further ways to cut energy and water bills across our portfolio.” 

Energy efficient projects​ 

The Hotel Collection worked with SaveMoneyCutCarbon to identify where money could be saved and crucially cover its costs within two years.

The company focused its attention on the hotel group's water usage first, installing tap aerators and eco-smart shower devices to reduce the flow of water in taps and showers. The investment of £60,000 was recouped quickly and saved the company a further £125,000 in seven months. 

Mark Sait, SaveMoneyCutCarbon chief executive, said the industry could cut bills by £38m every year if it only implemented half of the efficiency savings made by The Hotel Collection.

“It makes good business sense to invest in energy efficiency at a time when energy bills keep going up, and our work with The Hotel Collection shows how relatively small investments can quickly generate big savings," he said. 

“Most hotels tell us they have already got their house in order when it comes to resource efficiency, but we usually find there is still more that can be done. Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and hot water account for 80 per cent of the money commercial businesses spend on energy, and in our experience most can make significant savings in all these areas.”

How The Hotel Collection will save money through energy efficiency:​

• Water​: Tap aerators and eco-smart shower devices were installed across the group. Spend​: £60,000. Saving:​ £200,000 in 12 months (as well as recouping spend costs).
• Intelligent heating and cooling management system​: A system was installed at the 362-bedroom Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire. Spend:​ £122,000. Saving:​ £100,000 in 12 months (as well as recouping spend costs in 15 months.) 
• LED lighting in kitchens:​ Traditional light fittings were replaced with LED panels and tubes. Spend: £110,000. Saving: £60,000 a year (and will pay for itself within two years).