ARCHIVED - Hotel Tips

Guest Rooms

• Discourage housekeepers from turning on televisions while cleaning. Once a room has been made up, all lights and appliances should be turned off and thermostats set to minimum.

• Open drapes and shades to take advantage of natural light when servicing rooms. Close drapes and shades after cleaning to prevent heat loss or gain.

• Install a weatherboard in your housekeeping area to remind employees how to set guest room cooling-and-heating equipment. Post colour-coded guides based on daily weather forecasts. These guides should include the day's temperature, appropriate thermostat settings and fan-switch positions:

- Corrected   Black (range: 13° to 27°C [55° to 80°F])   Equipment off

   Blue (range: 27°C [80°F] and up)   Set air conditioning to low cool

   Red (range: 13°C [55°F] and below)   Turn units to low heat

• Encourage housekeepers to not let the tap run while they clean tubs and sinks.

• Check for worn and cracked caulking and weatherstripping on doors and windows of all rooms, including those that have been permanently closed.

• Install low-wattage bathroom and foyer night lights to discourage guests from leaving on less-efficient lights.

• Increase guest-room light levels by installing translucent lampshades.

• Place tent cards and decals in guest rooms to offer specific energy efficiency suggestions for guests.

• Keep windows and outside doors closed while heating and air-conditioning systems are operating.

• Reduce thermostat settings in winter and raise them in summer when preparing and clearing meeting rooms. Reduce lighting levels as well. Shut off heating, cooling and lighting when rooms are not in use.

• Shut down office equipment, such as photocopiers and computer monitors, when not in use.

Swimming Pools

• Cover pools when not in use to limit evaporation and reduce heat loss.

• Backwash filters only when pressure loss through filters reaches the prescribed or recommended values indicated in manufacturers' instructions.

• Eliminate or reduce any pool-area lighting not needed for safety and security.

• Check pool temperatures regularly to ensure heater thermostats are working properly. Pool temperatures should not exceed 27°C (80.6°F).

Laundry

• For maximum efficiency, ensure washers and dryers run only when fully and properly loaded.

• Use the lowest water temperature at which proper cleaning and disinfecting can be achieved.

• Consider cold-water washing. Ask your chemical supplier for a cost-benefit analysis.

• Check belts, pulleys, drain valves and balance of pressure.

• Schedule machine operations at off-peak periods to reduce possible demand charges.