Responsible
Tourism - South Africa
Energy Management
What Is The Issue?
Most of the world’s energy comes from burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil or natural gas. This results in high levels of air pollution, particularly greenhouse gases, that contribute to climate change. Since 1971, global energy use has increased by 70% and this is expected to increase by 2% per year over the next 15 years.
Conserving energy resources by using them efficiently and using “clean” energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can help reduce pollution and minimize negative environmental and social impacts.
The South African Department of Minerals and Energy has set a target to supply 5% of total energy production from renewable energy sources by 2010. As a tourism operator you can help to achieve this target.
What Can You Do?
Set Targets
Set a feasible target for reducing energy use (e.g. a 5% reduction per year for 3 years). Monitor the reduction in your electricity bills or amount of petrochemicals, wood and charcoal used. Show your success to staff and guests.
Check the relationship between the number of guests and the amount of energy used by calculating a benchmark (e.g. 50 kWh per bed night) and monitoring how the figure changes.
Design and Planning
Get architects to make the most of free energy sources such as natural light, natural heating and shading from trees where possible. Plan for cross-flow ventilation.
Invest in renewable energy systems such as solar water heaters, solar pumps, windmills, photovoltaic systems and other low wattage appliances.
Try and use evaporative cooling systems or heat exchange pumps, which use re-circulated water, and ceiling and floor fans to provide a cool air supply.
Insulate roofs and heating pipes.
Double glaze your windows to prevent heat loss.
Install automatically closing doors to prevent loss of either warm or cool air.
Position water tanks close to the point of use and install gravity-fed water systems where possible.
Some Operational Tips
Clean filters in heating and cooling systems regularly.
Adjust the hot water thermostat on geysers to below 50º C rather than the normal +60° C.
Buy energy efficient dishwashers and washing machines. Turn the hot water thermostat down to 49° C.
Use compact fluorescent lights, which last 10 times longer and use 80% less energy than normal bulbs.
Train staff to shut off lights, heating, ventilation and cooling systems in rooms that are unoccupied. Bigger operators may wish to use programmable thermostats, time-delay light switches and occupancy sensors.
Issue guests with an energy key card, which can be inserted into outlets in bedrooms to enable electricity use.
Did You Know?
For every 10% increase in the thermostat setting, energy costs rise by about 25%.
Installing a solar water heater can save 15% to 30% of your electricity costs.
Every 5° C reduction in water temperature reduces the cost of washing by up to 13%.
Insulating roofs and heating pipes can save up to 50% on heating bills.
Heat loss through windows is ten times faster than through insulated walls.
Each compact fluorescent bulb saves about 267 kg of carbon dioxide emissions, 291 kg of coal and 2.5 kg of sulphur dioxide during its lifetime.
A 15 W low energy bulb can produce more light than a normal 100 W bulb and will result in 50% energy and cost saving.
Who’s Doing It?
Coral Divers in Sodwana Bay has replaced its 40 W light fittings in the camp with energy efficient 15 W bulbs, which has reduced its electricity use for lighting by 48%.
At the Sandton Convention Centre, air conditioners are only run when required. Security guards patrol the building to ensure that doors are kept shut, reducing the need for air conditioners. Each toilet has its own geyser, so heat is not lost by piping hot water all over the building from a single source. Most hot water pipes have been insulated.
Kruger National Park has fitted its three largest camps with 4 500 Compact Fluorescent Lamps as part of an efficient lighting feasibility study, saving the Park about R6 000 a month in energy bills.
Goods and services. Foreign tourists may claim refunds of VAT paid on goods which they take out of South Africa. Information leaflets on the procedure to follow to claim VAT refund, are available from Vat Refund Administration offices at the borders and airports.
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