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A "Secret" Energy Consumption Source
This article is reprinted from Cecil Ledesma of USA Technologies, Inc.
In most hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, energy conservation is approached through light bulbs and the HVAC system. One energy conservation tip I've been overlooking is managing vending machines and their energy consumption.
In the vast majority of hotels, motels and resorts all over the US, vending machines abound. What most people don't realize is how much energy these machines require and how much money it costs to power them up. Vending machines are true energy hogs and waste a lot of electricity because they are built inefficiently and left powered on 24/7. As the campaign to go green kicks into high gear, hotel vending machines are often overlooked as an area where savings can truly take place. For instance.
If all refrigerated beverage vending machines were equipped with VendingMisers®, annually:
- Energy dollars saved: $410,114,958
- Energy saved: 4,556,832,864 kWh
- Equal to powering 445,918 homes or removing 253,157 cars from the road
- Reduction of CO2: 6,835,249,296 lbs
- Reduction of coal use: 2,080,746 TONS
Some additional facts:
* US electricity demand will grow by 75 percent from 2004 to 2030 in the commercial sector
- Energy Information Administration
* A typical vending machine annually consumes $300 worth of energy and is responsible for over 2 tons of annual carbon dioxide emissions
- ENERGY STAR
* Rebuilt vending machines to the ENERGY STAR specification are projected to save end users more than $2 million the first year
- ENERGY STAR
* Austin Energy estimates EnergyMisers are saving the city 6,455,531 kWh of energy annually, enough electricity to power 648 average homes in Austin -- reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the city by 5,769 tons, which is comparable to removing 1,261 cars from the city's roads
* The annual energy bill to run America's primary and secondary schools is a staggering $6 billion - more than is spent on textbooks and computers combined
- ENERGY STAR
* ENERGY STAR qualified new and rebuilt refrigerated beverage vending machines can save more than 1,600 kWh/year, or nearly $130 annually on utility bills
- ENERGY STAR
(Figures based on 3.4 million US vending machines, energy savings of 46% and utility rate of 9¢ kWh)
* While it is true that global warming is already occurring and affecting the way we live, it is vital that we take steps to reverse global warming pollution. There are a number of easy and affordable ways we can save energy and contribute to leaving a better planet to our children.
Cecil Ledesma
VP Hospitality, Travel, Entertainment, Retail
USA Technologies, Inc.
100 Deerfield Lane, Suite 140
Malvern, PA 19355
t. 800 | 633 | 0340 x 102
f. 253 | 660 | 8422
http://www.usatech.com/
Posted by Kit Cassingham
