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UNIT 4: ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
boulders, eves, rafters, weatherproof coverings, etc. The most commonly used
insulation materials are plastic (mainly polystyrene) and mineral wool.
Floor insulation is best done when floors are being replaced or extensions
built. If insulation is laid above existing floors, care should be taken that the
extra thickness does not affect existing fittings and skirtings. Floor insulation is
especially useful to reduce heating and cooling losses in buildings with suspended
wooden floors. Insulation materials include mineral wool, polystyrene and foam
glass.
Good Practice Tip
As there are many specifications in the choice and the laying of insulation,
specialist advice is needed.
Examples of Good Practice
Through power factor correction and the installation of a load-shedding
system, the Hotel Inter-Continental in Sydney, Australia, is achieving savings in
electricity costs of A$27,000 a year. A BEMS is used to control and monitor all
chillers, boilers, steam generators and hot-water tanks.
70% of the hot water requirements of the Welcome Group Mughal Sheraton
Hotel in Agra, India, is obtained through solar water heaters. Energy-efficient
compact fluorescent lamps are fitted in guestrooms and public areas, and
infrared sensors automatically switch off lights when rooms are vacant.
As a result of an environment status review on energy, The Renaissance Jamaica
Grand Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, has replaced its old chillers with new CFCfree
equipment with 0.50kw/tonne energy-efficiency. The cooling towers have
also been upgraded. The hotel is reviewing the feasibility of CHP.
Canadian Pacific Hotels and Resorts lowered water heating costs by insulating
hot-water pipes and tanks, and regularly monitoring boiler thermostats. Some
properties use solar water heaters to provide hot water for swimming pools.
Energy-management measures which collectively reduce energy costs by
20-25% per annum, at the Taj Residency, Indore, India, include:
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• Timers on office air-conditioners to switch off units for 15 minutes every
45 minutes;
• BEMS and link panels to turn power on and off in guest rooms;
• Solar water heaters;
• Waste heat from air-conditioning units recovered and reused for water
heating;
• Sun-control films on glass panes to reduce solar gain and airconditioning
loads;
• Roofs and outer walls of the rooms on the top floor, which are exposed
to direct sunlight for long periods, embodied with 50mm of insulation
to reduce heat gain.