Responsible Tourism Manual - Tourism Knowledge Portal

• Adjust the hot water thermostat on geysers to the lowest suitable level (46 to 49° C
rather than the normal +60° C) – for every 10% increase in the thermostat setting, heat
losses and energy costs rise by about 25% 87 temperature of the geysers, while for every 5°
C reduction, up to 13% less electricity is used.
• Geysers use a considerable amount of energy. To use them more efficiently, insulate them
and hot water pipes (e.g. with a blanket).
• Water boiling units and urns can be insulated to reduce heat loses, and timers can be
installed so that they are only switched on for the time when they will be used, and off when
they are not. Purchase the smallest unit for your needs, and opt to use a kettle where more
suitable.
Refrigeration
• Purchase an energy efficient rated fridge and freezer, with the smallest size appropriate
for your needs. For larger enterprises, note that although built in cold rooms and freezer
rooms can store large quantities of food, they typically consume 3-4 times as much energy
per litre of storage space than energy efficient domestic fridge/freezers and are difficult
to maintain. Consider using a domestic fridge/freezer for frequently accessed items (e.g.
milk).
• Chest freezers are 9-22% more efficient than upright models, as they are better insulated,
and less warm air enters them when opened.
• Set fridge and freezer thermostats to the appropriate temperature for the type of food
and the storage period. Set the fridge at between 2.2 and 4.4° C, and the freezer at
between –17.8 and -15° C. Raising the thermostat by 1 °C will reduce energy costs by about
3% for freezers and 6% for refrigerators. 88 By placing the fridge or freezer in shade, well
ventilated, out of the sun, and away from cooking equipment, they will work more efficiently.
• Insulate insulating cooling and heating devices (e.g. fridges) and maintain the seals around
fridge and freezer doors.
Cooking
• Cook with natural gas in preference to electricity in order to save energy.
• Microwaves should be used to cook smaller items of food, as these appliances use around
66% less electricity to heat food than electric hobs, as they do not waste energy by heating
air or metal.
• Minimise the use of bains-maries, which use a lot of energy and are usually left on longer
than necessary.
• Purchase local food supplies where possible, to reduce ‘food miles’ (the distance that food
has travelled from its source, to where it is consumed)
Dishwashing
• Purchase low water and energy use dishwashers.
• Operate them only when full.
In the laundry
• A warm wash is more efficient than a hot wash, and cold water washing may be suitable
frequently, especially if an enzymatic detergent is used. The washing machine should be
located close to the hot water tank if possible in order that, heat loss through the pipes can
be minimised. The hot water thermostat should be turned down to 49° C in order to cut the
cost of washing (every 5° C reduction in water temperature reduces the cost of washing by
up to 13%)
87 Talacko & Andrews (1998) Being green keeps you out of the red, Tourism Council Australia, www.tourism.org.au
88 Talacko & Andrews (1998) Being green keeps you out of the red, Tourism Council Australia, www.tourism.org.au
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