SINGAPORE: Hoteliers can now measure how efficiently they are using their energy resources, relative to the rest of the industry, with a benchmark for comparison created by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS).

The researchers hope the move will push fence-sitters to go the extra green mile.

In a study of 30 Singapore hotels, it was found that the most energy efficient ones use some 300 kilowatt hour of electricity per square metre every year or about 50 percent less than the least efficient ones.

Associate Professor Lee Siew Eang, School of Design & Environment, NUS, said "By making these statistics and numbers available, they can quickly go back and look at their own data and energy bill, compare with the benchmark and they would know where they stand. They can even find out which percentile of the industry they are in and set their own targets."

Hotels now account for nearly 2 percent of Singapore's total greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to electricity use.

These emissions are expected to increase with the anticipated growth in occupancy rates and the number of hotel rooms.

There have been concerns that an energy audit could be expensive, but various government grants are now available to help defray the costs.

Energy Smart Label winner, The Regent, said its complete energy audit cost S$28,000 and it paid less with the help of various government grants.

The hotelier was awarded the Energy Smart Hotel Label by the National Environment Agency for eco-friendly practices, together with Shangri-la Hotel, Intercontinental Hotel and Changi Village Hotel.

There are also plans to measure the energy efficiency of other buildings like shopping malls and schools.

NUS said it does not plan to publicly announce the list of buildings that are the least energy efficient, so it is up to the consumers to ask for the information and vote with their money.


- CNA/so