CONTENTS
1.4 LEMON TREE HOTELS
In fact, it is grossly subsidized for rich people. There should not only be inflow meter but also an outflow meter to check how much water is wasted. Germany taxes only not inflow of water but also outflow of water as well. The recycled water should be deployed for horticulture, gardening etc.
3. Material consciousness: Use materials from a 500-mile radius. Gan- dhi’s 2 km rule should be applicable.
4. Green material solvents should be deployed. Avoid materials with volatile organic compounds. Wood certification also needs to be looked at. A percentage of wood from certified sources only should be deployed. The wood should be certified from a forest stewardship council. Sustainability should be deployed selectively. Trees should be planted as compensatory afforestation
1.4.1 CARING FOR THE PLANET
1.4.1.1 CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
• Lemon Tree’s existing and upcoming hotels are designed and construct- ed to qualify for the L.E.E.D Gold Standard. Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (L.E.E.D) is the internationally recognized eco- friendly building certification standard awarded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)to buildings designed for energy savings, efficient use of water, reduction of CO2 emission and overall improvement in envi- ronmental quality.
• Planting of trees, shrubs on hotel premises.
• Universal design, for greater access for differently abled people.
1.4.1.2 ENERGY CONSERVATION
• Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) technology for air-conditioning.
• Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) with thermal enthalpy wheels: for heat recovery from washroom exhausts.
• Chilled water reset through building automation: to reduce power con- sumption required for cooling building.
• Heat pumps: for heat recovery, for heating domestic water.
• LED lighting and CFL Lighting: both consume far less energy than tra- ditional lighting.
• Key Tag Energy Saver System: conserves energy in unoccupied rooms.
• Natural/day lighting: reduces power consumption dramatically.
• Double Glazed Vacuum Sealed Windows: conserves energy (bv ~5%) and reduces noise.
• Auto Time Management (for lighting, air-conditioning and ventilation fans)through timers and motion sensors: helps conserve energy.
• Energy-Efficient Hydro-Pneumatic System with Variable-frequency Drive (VFD)motors for water supply: ensures constant pressure and re- duces load on pumps.
• LT Voltage Stabilizer: is energy saving and prevents damage to equip- ment due to sudden power fluctuations.
• Thermal Insulation: increases room comfort and conserves energy.
• Use of BEE certified equipment,for example,air-conditioner, refrigera- tor, fans, etc., reduces energy consumption.
• Solar Panel for hot water: alternative, renewable energy.
• Wind power: alternative, renewable energy. Being implemented in a phased manner at our hotels in Chennai followed by Aurangabad and Pune.
1.4.1.3 WATER CONSERVATION
• Sewage Treatment Plant (STP): recycles water used across the hotel.
Approximately 30% of this recycled water is used in the garden and flush systems.
• Aerators/Flow Restrictors including Duel Flush System: maintains wa- ter force and yet reduces outflow, hence saving water.
• Rain Water Harvesting: protects and replenishes the ground water table.
• Auto Flush For Public Urinals: minimizes water wastage.
• Guest engagement program—water saving poster placed in all rooms that quantifies the saving of water each guest can do by not getting their linen changed daily—encourages them to do their small bit to save pre- cious water when they are traveling.
1.4.1.4 GREEN FUELS AND GREEN MATERIALS
• Use of CNG instead of LPG: leads to reduction of pollution.
• Use of Green Building Material, for example:
○ Recycled Wood/Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF): saves trees.
○ Rubber Wood: environmentally friendly as it makes use of trees that have already served a useful function.
○ Particle Board: engineered wood manufactured from wood chips, sawmill shavings or saw dust.
• AAC blocks, that is, cement concrete blocks in flyash: offers several benefits including thermal efficiency, that is, reduces the heating and cooling load in buildings; resource efficiency gives it lower environmental impact in all phases of its life cycle; light weight increases chances of survival during seismic activity.
1.4.1.5 WASTE MANAGEMENT
• Sewage Treatment: prevents pollution.
1.4.1.6 NOISE POLLUTION MANAGEMENT
• Double Glazed Vacuum Sealed Windows: reduces external noise level below 50 decibels.
• Environmental Seals: prevents entry of noise and smoke (in case of fire) into the room.
• Noiseless Generators: acoustically insulated, the sound level is damp- ened to a minimal level.
1.4.1.7 OPERATIONAL PRACTICES
• Laundry Paper/Cloth bags instead of plastic: environmentally friendly.
• Recycled Garbage Bio-degradable Bags: environmentally friendly.
• Water Glasses inverted and placed on a cork surface: thereby doing away with plastic covers.
• Pencils not plastic pens.
1.4.1.8 FUTURE INITIATIVES 1.4.1.8.1 SHORT/MEDIUM TERM
• Wind power in Aurangabad and Pune.
• Agro power, that is, burn agricultural waste: agreement signed for Hy- derabad.
• Recycled water for ac cooling tower (target replacement of fresh water by 15–20%).
• Heat pump for energy conservation (using ac plant’s hot air for cool- ing). Done in DIAL.
1.4.1.8.2 LONG TERM
• Solar photo–voltaic (PV)system for lighting.
• Extensive use of LED light fittings (post cost reduction).
• Geo thermal energy.
The next part of the chapter draws insights from architecture and design point of view. Various examples are discussed and the insights are drawn from GRIHA and LEEDs guidelines as well.