5 smart energy fixes for hotels (and how to pick the right one)

You’ve swapped in LED lighting. Your rooms use keycards. The team’s trained to switch things off when they can.

So why are your energy bills still edging up?

The truth is, most hotels have already tackled the basics, but a few hidden inefficiencies often remain. They’re not obvious. They don’t disrupt service. But they quietly eat into your margins every month.

Here are five overlooked fixes that can make a meaningful difference, along with advice on how to choose what’s worth tackling first.

1. Check your voltage levels

Most UK hotels run on a higher voltage than they need, often 240V+ when most equipment is designed for 220V. That excess voltage doesn’t just waste energy. It causes wear on appliances, shortening their lifespan and increasing maintenance costs.

Why it matters:
Even a modest voltage reduction can lead to lower usage without affecting performance. And it’s often missed because your equipment still seems to be “working fine”.

No capex?
Start by checking your voltage levels. Some providers offer a free plug-in tool (like our Troo Volt) that gives you a reading in seconds, no need for an engineer or disruption.

2. Optimise your building management system (BMS)

Many hotels already have a BMS in place, but few are using it to full effect. Settings often drift over time, especially after seasonal adjustments or maintenance callouts. That means heating, cooling and lighting can run when they’re not needed, or work against each other.

Why it matters:
Re-commissioning your BMS, or even just reviewing core settings, can cut waste fast. It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce energy use without affecting the guest experience.

No capex?
Speak to your system provider about a settings audit. Or ask your energy consultant to review patterns in your half-hourly data, it can highlight where controls aren’t working as intended.

3. Right-size your KVA capacity

Your energy contract includes a “capacity charge” based on the maximum amount of electricity your site says it might use. But if that number’s too high (as it often is), you’re being charged for headroom you don’t need.

Why it matters:
We’ve seen businesses reduce costs by thousands a year simply by adjusting their agreed KVA. It’s one of the quickest wins out there and almost never explored unless someone goes looking.

No capex?
None needed. This is a paper-based fix that involves reviewing your contract and historical usage to request a new capacity level.

4. Look again at your kitchen and laundry areas

Commercial kitchens and laundries are two of the biggest users of energy in most hotels. Even small operational tweaks like when you run washers, how often extraction fans run, or what temperature settings are used can have a measurable impact.

Why it matters:
These areas are busy, back-of-house, and rarely looked at for savings. But they often hold 10–20% of your total usage and run longer than you think.

No capex?
Ask your team: what’s running right now that doesn’t need to be? Could anything be batched, delayed, or staggered to avoid peak time rates?

5. Avoid energy drift with regular check-ins

Even if you’ve done everything right, energy use has a way of creeping back up. A change in staff behaviour, a stuck valve, or a minor controls glitch can shift your profile before you notice.

Why it matters:
Hotels that review usage quarterly tend to stay in control. Those that wait a year often find surprises and missed opportunities.

No capex?
Book in a standing quarterly check-in with your energy partner or internal team. Add a diary reminder to scan your bills for unexplained increases. Make it part of your normal ops rhythm.

How to decide where to start

With limited time and budget, it helps to triage:

• No budget available? Start with fixes like voltage checks, KVA reviews or usage pattern reviews. They’re insight-led and require no spend.
• Capex available but cautious? Look at minor BMS adjustments or simple kitchen/laundry scheduling changes.
• Want a quick benchmark? A health check can show how your site compares to similar-sized hotels and flag what’s most likely to deliver a return.

One last thing: this isn’t about doing everything

Energy doesn’t need to be your next big project. But it is worth keeping an eye on, especially when the quick wins are hiding in plain sight.

We support UK hotels to get control over their energy. From the fine print in your supply contract to the technical quirks in your back-of-house systems, we help you understand where you are now and what you can do differently.

We’re not a supplier, and we don’t disappear after the contract’s signed. Our team becomes part of yours, helping you turn energy from a silent drain into something manageable, steady, and less expensive over time.

Want to know what’s worth fixing at your hotel?

Request your no-obligation energy health check.