Light bulb moments

CEBU, Philippines – A light bulb moment is a moment of discovery, of a great dea. A hotel in Cebu has just such a bright moment, a right idea that literally concerns light bulbs, among many other things. It's the Energy Conservation Program of Quest Hotel & Conference Center Cebu.

Quest Hotel Cebu launched its Energy Conservation Program in mid-April this year, initiated by the hotel's security department manager, Leandro Paralisan CSP, and has since been in full swing. Even at the program's early stages, the results indicated significant savings in the hotel's operational spending.

The aim of the initiative is to continually lower the consumption and costs of utilities such as electricity, water and liquefied petroleum gas without affecting hotel services and guest comfort.

The program's guidelines include lowering the room temperature when unoccupied, keeping curtains closed to prevent sunlight from heating up the room, keeping the function rooms' doors closed to keep the cool air in, and conserving water in various ways, including ensuring zero leaks. Also, lights are dimmed to the minimum needed during the day without affecting ambient lighting, or switching these off entirely when not in use.

These efforts may seem very basic or common-sense practices, but its true value lies in consistency. And so a team of 'marshals' monitors the program's implementation, conducting regular walkthroughs, checking guest floor areas, guest rooms, meeting rooms, restaurant and dining areas, the kitchen areas, front of the house, back offices, external public areas, and monitoring wastage or misappropriation. In some areas, including guest floors, some utilities, including hallway AC units are also mandatorily shut down after 10 p.m., during low occupancy.

Analysis on utility bills of each department is then conducted to identify areas for further energy-consumption reduction, or to track progress to be able to develop further action plans if needed.

As the hotel is looking at the program to run long-term, planning and testing for a shift to LED lighting are currently underway.

The program also aims to develop a better sense of discipline among management and staff to be energy efficient and environmentally aware, even beyond the work place. Quest Hotel & Conference Center does its share in making the community environmentally conscious, to make it both a business philosophy and a way of life.

The hotel's contact numbers are (32) 402 5999 or (32) 230 5888.