Time Partners with Smart4power To Tackle Energy Consumption

UAE-headquartered hospitality company, TIME Hotels Management has partnered with energy services company Smart4Power to roll out a new corporate initiative aimed at reducing energy use at a number of its UAE properties.

Spearheaded by Gaetan Lavoie, TIME Hotels’ Corporate Director of Technical Services, Smart4Power was commissioned to conduct an initial energy audit, which revealed that window and split air-conditioners were responsible for roughly 60% of total energy consumption and associated electricity bills at the company’s six Dubai and Sharjah-based properties.

In order to address this high level of consumption and determine a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative, TIME charged Smart4Power with responsibility for testing   the latest generation Aircosaver technology, which improves the energy efficiency of existing A/C units.

“The results of the testing showed that implementation of the Aircosaver technology could reduce the energy consumption of each unit by 20%; and that translated into an extremely feasible payback period of just 16 months. To date, we have installed Aircosaver at the TIME Grand Plaza, TIME Oak Hotel and Suites, TIME Opal, TIME Crystal, TIME Topaz and Oak Villas & Residence sites,” said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels.

Aircosaver employs a smart control device that optimises the operation of the compressors in direct expansion air conditioners, which include window, ductless and ducted split, and package unit types.

We constantly try to achieve further energy savings, and are identifying ways to improve the energy efficiency of the chiller system, which is the main cooling source for the hotel properties. Lavoie stated “Specific solutions under evaluation include implementation of a chiller plant management system, and an evaporative cooling wet wall system. Combined, these improvements could save as much as 30% of the properties energy consumption”.

“TIME Hotels has a top-down commitment to supporting sustainable initiatives both from an operational perspective as well as within local communities. Our growing reputation as a ‘green’ market leader is something we work extremely hard to maintain – and develop – and we also want to ensure the buy-in of our employees and guests across the group,” added Awadalla.

TIME Hotels’ official company policy includes a dedicated environmental section with listed and time-linked priorities such as the reduction or elimination of pollution through enhanced preventive maintenance, the effective use of environmentally friendly materials, and the reduction of utilities usage through the effective implementation of best practices.

In addition, two of its busiest properties, the flagship TIME Oak Hotel & Suites and TIME Grand Plaza Hotel are both international Green Globe certified.