subject: Energy Waste In Hotels Is Often The Result Of Poorly Maintained Ventilation Systems [print this page] Hotels depend on the quality of the hospitality, the services they provide and the comfort and cleanliness of their accommodation to persuade guests to return for another stay.
Guests may not be consciously aware of it but the quality of the air in the building is an important part of the ambience.
Indoor air quality that is poor has been implicated in the incidence of allergies and in affecting the productivity of staff working in premise and this is particularly an issue where a building uses air ducts to supply heating in the winter or cool, fresh air in the summer.
Ductwork will also extract fumes, chemicals and pollutants from the interior and there are a number of these that are emitted as a result of the materials used in furniture, upholstery, carpets and other fixtures and fittings.
For example dust mites thrive in mattresses and may also live in carpets and many people are allergic to dust which can prompt asthma attacks. Upholstery and curtain fabrics and interior wood products used to make countertops, cabinets and veneered furniture can contain formaldehyde to which an estimated 10% of the population are sensitive.
The interior linings of the ductwork can collect mould and mildew, which, along with dust, provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
All of these can affect air quality if preventative measures such as air duct cleaning are not taken and can affect the quality of experience of a minority of the guests staying in the hotel.
However, there is another, important consideration for hotel owners and managers and this relates to the overheads that any business will want to keep as low as possible.
Filters that have become clogged, deposits inside ductwork and on any motor parts that enable the extraction, heating or air exchange system to function, can impeded the efficiency of air flow and make these motors have to work harder, resulting in an increased energy bill.
Uncontrolled and poorly maintained ventilation systems are said to be one of the biggest culprits of energy waste in hotels and it therefore makes sound economic sense to have a regular inspection, filter replacement and duct cleaning regime to help keep energy costs down and energy efficiency as good as possible.
Also fire safety and Health and Safety regulations require regular maintenance and cleaning of ductwork systems for the protection of all those using the building whether they are staff or customers and clients.
It may also be that failure to pay attention to these issues results in higher insurance premiums, particularly where fire safety is an important consideration.
