Chequers Plaza Hotel
We have recently carried out extensive Energy Reduction works at The Chequers Plaza Hotel, Blackpool.
Before we were able to make any recommendation on how to reduce the Hotels Energy Consumption we had to carry out an in depth energy audit. This consisted of ascertaining the venues Gas and Electricity consumption for the previous 12 months and then identifying area of potential savings, we then surveyed and quantified every appliance in use within the operation to ascertain how reduce the amount of energy being consumed.
Explanation of how Energy reduction was achieved
1.1 Lighting Systems
In order to reduce the energy consumption of the Hotel, we to replaced all existing halogen and incandescent lighting elements for compact fluorescent and LED alternatives. Where applicable these replacements were of dimmable type order to achieve the desired ambience.
Furthermore care was taken to select the appropriate colour temperature of lighting element specific to individual areas.
In areas of occasional occupancy specific circuits have been automated to operate only when presence is detected. This further reduced electricity consumption beyond our calculations.
We derived our calculations by ascertaining that the hotels electrical usage was mainly attributed to lighting and accounted for a vast amount of the venues consumption. Considering that the average lighting energy consumption reduction was 84.5%. Our calculations were based on the minimum consumption reduction.
Additionally in each room containing electric towel rails, these appliances were fitted with time lag switches to restrict operation to a maximum of one hour.
1.2 Heating Systems
The existing Heating system consisted of four boilers dating from the late 70’s, there was no thermostatic controls operating anywhere in the building and the heating system was only controlled via a return flow thermostat. There was no automatic zone control other than four valves that could be operated manually; this procedure will have inevitably resulted in areas left heated when not in use.
We replaced the existing boilers that had an efficiency of 65% with four replacement units that have an efficiency of 99%. This instantly reflected a 34% reduction in Gas consumption. We will then installed control valves to the four zone of the building to enable isolation when not in use; a further saving on efficiency was achieved.
We also installed a Heatmiser boiler control and an intelligent control system with optimum start and close temperature control.
28 of the hotels bedrooms contain electrically heated towel rails; currently these appliances are operated by means of a switchable outlet. In order to alleviate these appliances being inadvertently left switched on or used for prolonged unnecessary lengths of time we propose to install a push button time switch to restrict operation to a maximum of one hour.
Heating upgrade and automation
3.1 Replacement Boilers
Replacement of 4 existing Hamworthy Boilers with new energy efficient equivalent
- Increased efficiency
- Reduced maintenance and increased reliability
- Operation status and fault indication
3.2 Zone Control of Heating System
The plant room is to be fitted with four additional zone control valves, in order to accurately enable the control of temperature and isolate the individual following areas when not in use: Annex, Ground, 1st Floor, 2nd Floor and 3rd Floor.
3.3 Intelligent Heating Controls
Instillation of a five zone intelligent temperature control system to accurately control the temperature of the following areas: Annex, Ground floor, 1st Floor, 2nd Floor and 3rd Floor.
The system will control the individual zone temperature set points within 0.3 of a degree and prevent temperature shifts. The control keypads will display heating system status, set point temperature, actual temperature and equipment status.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
The boilers are reaching the end of their serviceable life and replacement would cost in the region of £30’000.00 without the inclusion of zoning or efficient controls.
The life spans of the replacement lighting elements are significantly longer than the current type in use (see below).
Type ` Life Cost Current Life Cost
LED 50’000 £14.00 Halogen 1000 £1.05
CFL 15’000 £9.00 Halogen 1000 £0.40
Cost of works, Energy and Carbon Emissions Reduction
Gas: Carbon and Cost Reduction
The previous 12 months consumption was 762’630.00kWh
Increased boiler efficiency 34% (259’294.80kWh)
Optimised temperature zone control system (125’833.95kWh)
New Calculated Gas Consumption 377,501.58kWh
Consumption Saving of 385’128.42kWh
Carbon Emission Reduction 1 71.24 Tonnes/ Co2
Cost saving per annum £14’019.71
Electricity: Carbon and Cost Reduction
The previous 12 months consumption was 762’630.00kWh
Increased boiler efficiency 34% (259’294.80kWh)
New Calculated Gas Consumption 377,501.58kWh
Consumption Saving of 385’128.42kWh
Carbon Emission Reduction 1 71.24 Tonnes/ Co2
Cost saving per annum £10’194.15
Cost of works £61’302.00
48 monthly interest free payments of £1’277.13
Total annual Utility reduction £24’213.86
