Ramada Coventry, a prominent hotel located in the heart of Coventry, embarked on a strategic energy efficiency initiative in collaboration with B2B Energy Solutions Ltd and Get Solutions Ltd. This initiative was driven by the need to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and improve the overall sustainability of the hotel's operations. This case study outlines the various energy-saving measures implemented, the results achieved, and the financial impact of these interventions.
Ramada Coventry faced the challenge of high energy consumption, particularly from its boiler systems and associated plant-room equipment. The hotel's management, under the leadership of Peter Corcoran, identified energy efficiency as a critical area for improvement. B2B Energy Solutions Ltd was contracted to perform an energy health check and recommend and implement best-practice energy-saving technologies.
Two Burner Management Units (BMUs) were installed on the existing boilers at Ramada Coventry in August 2010. The BMUs were designed to enhance the boilers' energy efficiency by adjusting the burner firing patterns—this modification aimed to increase the duration of each burn while reducing the frequency of firings per day. The BMUs are unique because they are independently certified by The Building Research Establishment, ensuring their credibility and effectiveness.
The installation of the BMUs cost £3,600 + VAT. Post-installation, the units could monitor their performance, providing detailed reports showing the energy savings achieved without requiring extensive 'through the meter' tests.
In September 2010, 28 valves in the plant room were insulated using Valve Wraps, a flexible and reusable insulation material. This intervention was necessary due to the heat loss associated with uninsulated plant room fittings. Valve Wraps provide an insulation improvement of 20% to 25%, significantly reducing heat loss and improving overall energy efficiency.
The cost of this insulation project was £1,046 + VAT.
Energy Impact management software was installed to optimise energy usage further. This software allowed the hotel's management to track daily energy consumption patterns and set target profiles. When energy consumption exceeded these targets, an alert system was triggered, sending real-time notifications to the manager's smartphone. This proactive approach enabled immediate corrective actions, resulting in an 11% reduction in energy consumption, as shown on the software's dashboard.
The financial benefits of these energy-saving measures were substantial:
Electricity Savings:
• Total first-year costs: £1,700 (including the energy health check and annual software subscription).
• Total savings for the first eight months: £12,521.
• Annualised savings: £14,521.
• Net first-year savings: £12,821.
• Payback period: 6 weeks.
• Ongoing annual net savings: £13,321, with a return on investment of 1,100%.
Gas Savings:
• Total first-year costs: £4,646 (including BMUs and valve insulation).
• Total savings for the first seven months: £9,677.
• Annualised savings: £16,589.
• Net first-year savings: £5,031.
• Payback period: 4 months.
• Ongoing annual savings: £16,589, with a return on investment of 357%.
Overall, the total costs for these energy-saving interventions amounted to £6,346, while the total annualised energy savings were £31,110. This resulted in net savings of £24,764 and a payback period of just three months.
The energy efficiency project at Ramada Coventry proved to be a resounding success, delivering substantial financial savings and significantly reducing the hotel's carbon footprint. The strategic implementation of BMUs, Valve Wraps, and Energy Impact software met and exceeded expectations with rapid payback periods and impressive returns on investment. This case study exemplifies the effectiveness of targeted energy-saving initiatives in the hospitality sector, setting a benchmark for similar projects in the future.
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation. Our energy efficiency specialist will explain how the Optiburner DBMU works and create a customised burner management plan for your business. This plan ensures your ROI, maximises energy savings, and minimises carbon emissions. We also offer complete maintenance of the Boiler Optimisers as part of the package for complete peace of mind.
During the site visit, our BRE-certified engineers will comprehensively assess the compatibility of your boiler and heating systems. This thorough process is crucial to designing the optimal boiler optimisation setup, maximising energy savings, reducing fuel consumption, and guaranteeing payback within two years. We will then schedule an installation date that works best for your business.
Our BRE-certified engineers will install the Optiburner units in your boiler room and ensure everything complies with current health and safety regulations. The DBMU software will be updated and fine-tuned for your boiler type to ensure maximum performance and energy savings. The installation process is quick, minimally disruptive, and guarantees the safety and efficiency of your operations.
After installation and testing, our engineers will recommend supply and fit options, including retrofit installation and valve insulation. You will receive quick training on operating the Optiburner units and using the remote download feature to monitor and report energy savings easily. Expect to save 15% or more on energy bills over a year, with results in the downloadable Savings Report directly from the DBMU unit.
