Actionable Steps Using Measurement and Insights

In our article, The Occupancy Myth: Why Your Hotel's Energy Bill Isn't Just About Guests, we explored the "Occupancy Myth" – the fact that a large portion of your hotel's energy consumption, the baseload, is independent of guest numbers. Relying only on occupancy metrics leaves significant savings hidden within your core operational systems. Understanding this is key, but taking action requires a practical approach grounded in accurate measurement.

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This guide provides actionable steps hospitality properties can take, using insights derived from precise measurement platforms like Augos, to effectively identify, analyse, and reduce this fixed energy consumption.

Step 1: Identify Your Major Baseload Consumers

Before you can reduce baseload, you need to know where it's coming from. Think about systems that run continuously or have high minimum operating levels:
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• Central Plant: Chillers, boilers, primary pumps (HVAC).
• Common Areas: Lighting (corridors, lobby, exterior), ventilation fans (AHUs).
• 24/7 Services: Kitchen refrigeration, IT server rooms, potentially swimming pool pumps and heating.
• Essential Systems: Lifts/elevators (standby power), emergency lighting.

How Augos Helps: While you might know which systems run 24/7, Augos' granular monitoring precisely quantifies how much energy each consumes, identifying the true heavy hitters and their consumption patterns (even during low-load periods) – moving beyond assumptions.

Step 2: Analyse Baseload System Efficiency

Just because a system is running doesn't mean it's running efficiently, especially under varying load conditions inherent in hotels.
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• Check Electrical Efficiency: Monitor Power Factor (PF) on large motors (pumps, chillers, fans). A low PF indicates wasted electrical energy, increasing costs without delivering useful work. Augos tracks this continuously.
• Analyse Operational Patterns: Are pumps running longer than necessary? Is ventilation scheduled optimally for non-peak hours? Augos data reveals actual run-times versus expected schedules.
• Assess Plant Performance: For HVAC, are chillers or boilers operating efficiently across their load range? Augos helps track energy input versus cooling/heating output (where relevant sensors are integrated).

How Augos Helps: Our platform automatically analyses these parameters. Smart Triggers can alert you if PF drops below an efficient threshold, if run-times deviate significantly, or if equipment energy consumption per unit of output increases, signalling inefficiency or a developing issue.

Step 3: Implement Targeted Optimisation Strategies

Based on the analysis, implement targeted improvements:

• Poor Power Factor? Investigate installing power factor correction capacitors or optimising load distribution.
• Excessive Run-Times? Refine control strategies, adjust timers, or implement/optimise occupancy sensors for lighting and ventilation in common areas.
• HVAC Inefficiency? Review control logic, adjust temperature setpoints for common areas during unoccupied periods, ensure proactive maintenance is addressing underlying issues flagged by alerts.
• Unbalanced Loads? Engage electricians to investigate and rebalance phases for better electrical system efficiency.

How Augos Helps: Augos provides the data to prioritise these interventions based on measured waste/potential savings and then verifies the actual energy reduction achieved after implementation.

Step 4: Leverage Proactive Maintenance via Smart Triggers

Baseload systems often run until they fail. Augos changes this dynamic.

• Early Fault Detection: Smart Triggers, configured for your key baseload equipment, provide early warnings of potential issues (e.g. abnormal current draw, temperature deviations, vibration anomalies if sensors are present).
• Preventative Action: These alerts allow your engineering team to investigate and perform maintenance before a minor issue causes prolonged inefficient operation or a catastrophic failure, saving energy and significant repair costs.
• Reliable Alerts: Augos monitors the health (battery, signal) of its own devices, ensuring the alert system itself is dependable.

Step 5: Continuous Monitoring & Refinement

Optimising baseload isn't a one-time fix. Equipment degrades, operational needs change.

• Ongoing Visibility: Augos provides continuous monitoring, allowing you to track baseload performance over time.
• Sustained Savings: Ensure that savings from implemented strategies persist and identify any new inefficiencies that may arise.
• Continuous Improvement: Use ongoing data insights to continually refine control strategies and maintenance plans.

Conclusion

While managing guest-related energy use is important, tackling your hotel's baseload consumption offers a substantial and often overlooked opportunity for significant, year-round cost savings. This requires moving beyond assumptions and embracing precise measurement.

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Augos provides the essential visibility, analytics, and proactive alerts needed to effectively identify, analyse, optimise, and maintain your critical baseload systems, turning hidden costs into tangible savings.

Contact Us

Ready to gain control over your hotel's fixed energy costs?

Contact our team by email: info@augos.io or call: +27 87 093 6174 to explore our measurement and analytics solutions.