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Domestic Hot Water
Domestic hot water (DHW) for showers, sinks, dishwashers and clothes washers is supplied either by boilers within your HVAC system or by separate water heaters. Consider the following measures:
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Pick the right system for your facility. A unit that is too small may leave you and your guests without hot water, and too large a unit will consume more energy than necessary. In some facilities, water must be heated to high temperatures for laundry (71°C or 160°F) and then cooled to temperatures appropriate for guest-room faucets (49°C or 120°F). When purchasing new equipment, consider smaller, separate units for these functions. You may also be able to eventually switch to a smaller system if you follow other water-saving actions listed in the Energy Tips section.
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Water heater timers ensure the heaters operate only during the opening hours. Insulating jackets for water heaters are also an inexpensive investment with short paybacks.
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Low-flow aerators or showerheads often cut water flow in half. As a result, hot-water demand is similarly reduced, and payback is less than one year.
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Low-flow and/or low-temperature commercial dishwashers save 35 to 60 percent on water and water-heating energy. Front-loading washing machines use about 40 percent less water and less water-heating energy and deliver incremental paybacks in approximately five years, compared with purchasing less-efficient replacement washers.
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Ozone laundry uses electrically generated ozone gas to clean the laundry. This method reduces water and energy use by at least 30 percent, disinfects thoroughly, extends fabric life, reduces chemical use and contributes to a more comfortable work environment for laundry staff.
Cold Water
Domestic cold water is also an important consideration in the hospitality industry, since energy is often required to pump water for toilets/urinals, fountains, faucets, landscaping, water-cooled air conditioners, cooling towers and humidification. Many drinking-water purification processes also consume energy.
- Low-flow toilets, waterless urinals, urinal sensors and other water management measures can reduce cold-water usage by over 20 percent. Talk to a water management consultant or your water utility for more information.
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