Identifying Energy-Use Behavior and Energy-Use Profiles of Hotel Guests

Abstract

There are about 47,000 hotels in the United States that spend an average of $2200 per room on energy annually. Studies found that hotel guests’ energy consumption behavior is one of the key reasons that affects hotel buildings’ energy consumption. However, there has been little research study that provides efficient energy-use reduction interventions based on guests’ energy-related behavior in hotel buildings. To address this research gap, this research study aims to develop an integrated energy-use framework in four steps: (1) integrating four energy-related behavior models (i.e., Motivation-Opportunity-Ability, Norm Activation Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Pro-environmental Behavior); (2) developing a set of hypotheses and their relevant measures to examine the relationship between the energy-related behavior models and hotel guests’ energy-use behavior; (3) conducting an energy-use survey to analyze the effect of each determined measure on hotel guests’ energy-use behavior; (4) analyzing the energy behavior data to identify energy-use behavior of hotel guests in hotel buildings; (5) analyzing the energy behavior data to identify energy-use profiles (i.e., Prone, Indifferent, or Resistant to Change) of hotel guests in hotel buildings. In this study, Prone to Change refers to good energy consumption behavior, Indifferent to Change refers to moderate energy consumption behavior, and Resistant to Change refers to bad or dark energy consumption behavior. From the energy-use survey, 370 responses were collected. Then, the 370 responses were analyzed to identify the energy-use profiles of hotel guests. The results from the analysis indicated that 168 out of 370 (45%) respondents have Resistant to Change energy-use profile, 146 out of 370 (40%) respondents have Indifferent to Change energy-use profile, and 56 out of 370 (15%) respondents have Prone to Change energy-use profile. The findings can provide decision-makers in hospitality industry with a better understanding of their guests’ energy-related behavior; and accordingly develop effective interventions to reduce energy consumption in hotel buildings.

Energy Efficiency Analysis of East-West Oriented Photovoltaic Systems for Buildings: A Technical-Economic-Environmental Approach

“…Some aspects associated with the analysis of the hotel consumption were taken as a reference, considering the elements defined by the ISO 50001 standard. With the results obtained from these studies together with those previously obtained in other investigations related to this field, it was verified that the energy demand analyzed corresponds to the profile presented by these types of entities [48]- [51].…”

Decoupling the complexities of air-conditioning cooling energy use in express hotels by data mining approaches

“…According to the questionnaire investigation, 45% of hotel guests have the will to change their energy use behaviour to save energy. 35 Decoupled relationships could give them guidance regarding the key points in energy saving. Hotel facility managers can also consider the energy use factors in their pricing strategies according to decoupled relationships to reduce operation costs.…”

“…Existing questionnaires show that 45% of hotel occupants are willing to change their energy use behaviour to save energy. 35 A study also shows the possibility of using AC energy use data to propose the rules for energy saving of AC. 36 Therefore, exploring the coupling relationship amongst the air-conditioning usage of room occupants, the indoor thermal environment and energy consumption of individual air conditioners and putting forward the energy efficient operation rules have great potential for the energy-saving management of hotels.…”

How the Implementation of BREEAM in Hotels Could Help to Achieve the SDGs

“…Hotel guests have radically changed their attitude towards adopting environmentally friendly practices, and, as a result, hotels cannot ignore their environmental and social responsibilities [13][14][15]. Research on efficient energy-use procedures and interventions based on clients energy-related behavior is crucial for hoteliers to understand what the guests' needs are and how these can be incorporated in the hotel [16].…”