Organic hotel in ... with heat recovery

Energy saving potential in organic hotels through heat recovery

Every hotel has energy costs, which usually range between 5 and 7 percent of sales . But especially in the hotel industry, there is often still considerable potential for energy savings. Ecological hotels that save as much energy as possible are not only more sustainable, but also have cost and therefore competitive advantages over other hotels.

Highly efficient heat recovery systems are effective, protect the environment and save unnecessary heating costs. With sustainable modernization measures such as modern heat recovery systems and a simultaneous improvement in ventilation technology , up to 60 percent of energy costs in hotels can be saved . Optimizing existing technology can lead to significant improvement. However, a complete energy renovation can also make sense.

A good heat recovery system can be used very efficiently for hot water production or for heating in another area

Impressive savings can often be achieved in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology (which are responsible for up to 70 percent of energy consumption ). Often the only thing missing is the know-how to use the existing options. But hotels with fewer than 50 employees are small and medium-sized companies. The KfW Bank's "Energy Consulting for SMEs" funding program is available to you, which is subsidized by up to 80 percent. Such advice is provided by an independent expert and includes an initial energy situation of the company as well as an analysis of weak points. Suggestions for solutions and recommendations for action with precise instructions for implementation are also included.

Energy-efficient ventilation technology with heat recovery

A modern ventilation system that can be placed on the roof, for example, also contributes to improving indoor air and living quality and therefore also benefits hotel guests. This is a blessing, especially for allergy sufferers , because it filters the incoming air and thus avoids exposure to street dust and pollen. New systems replace the existing ones because the old devices usually no longer meet current energy efficiency standards and there is no heat recovery.

How does heat recovery work?

A heat recovery unit is used for room ventilation, which leads the fresh outside air and the used room air past each other in separate channels. The two air streams do not come into contact with each other. Outside air and exhaust air flow past each other in various channels arranged next to one another or one above the other - ideally in countercurrent, i.e. in different directions - whereby energy is transferred from one medium to the other. This allows a lot of heat to be recovered.

The cascade principle

• The outdoor unit extracts energy from the outside air and transfers it to the indoor unit.
• The indoor unit increases the temperature of the refrigerant.
• The refrigerant circuit transfers heat to the water in the system.

Savings are possible in particular:

1. In the entrance area : A good air conditioning concept with heat recovery can save up to 72 percent compared to conventional solutions in the entrance area of ​​a hotel.
2. In restaurants and kitchens : Efficient cooling of your freezers and refrigerators not only keeps the food fresh: integrated refrigeration technology with heating and cooling maximizes heat recovery and ensures energy savings.
3. In the hotel rooms : Individual regulations can be used in the rooms (also interesting for rooms for allergy sufferers ), which enable your guests to control their comfort themselves. An intelligent connection of key cards with air conditioning devices also saves energy.
4. For SPA and wellness : hot water production using heat recovery for pools and wellness facilities in organic hotels. Highly efficient systems can heat large quantities of water.

Comfort climate and energy efficiency

The savings through heat recovery of up to 60 percent energy and up to 30 percent savings in electricity can - depending on the heat recovery system - essentially be attributed to the following factors:

• Energy from the used room air can still be used
• Significantly lower energy consumption for heating
• Improving the indoor climate through fresh and healthy air, even in large rooms
• Humidity control through modern humidification and dehumidification technology

Reduction of CO2 and cost savings

Intelligently controlled and integrated solutions not only enable major cost savings in operating costs , but also an environmentally friendly reduction in CO2 emissions , which is completely in the spirit of a biohotel.

The air in the hotel rooms as well as meeting rooms , the restaurant and the wellness facilities can benefit enormously from a heat recovery system. All hotels that value sustainability and pursue an environmental strategy should think about heat recovery options. High potential can even be tapped into during ongoing operation of a hotel by modernizing ventilation technology.

Link tips on energy efficiency in hotels:

The DEHOGA energy campaign
Virtual energy saving hotel