Energy efficiency has become a central objective for the European Union, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. In a recent agreement, the European Commission, Parliament, and Council raised the 2030 energy efficiency target from 9% to 11.7%, a key step toward decarbonizing the economy. This is a collective effort, and companies have a vital role to play. A study from ECO-ONE, a leading hotel sustainability initiative in Spain, found that 85% of hotels have not yet completed the energy audit needed to identify improvement opportunities.
The research, conducted across 100 hotels from mid-sized chains and independent properties totaling 10,536 rooms, revealed that only 10% of hotels source 100% green energy, and just 37% have self-consumption systems with solar panels installed.
The analysis helped quantify expenditures, consumption, and profitability related to energy use, while also pinpointing where hotel energy expenses originate.
One notable finding shows that air conditioning, lighting, and domestic hot water account for 78.1% of hotel energy consumption. ECO-ONE therefore emphasizes the priority of developing plans to reduce these costs, regardless of hotel size, type, or number of rooms.
A detailed breakdown indicates heating represents 32.3% of total energy use, followed by hot water at 17.7%, air conditioning at 15.6%, lighting at 12.5%, and kitchen at 5.2%. Office equipment (4.2%) and ventilation (3.1%) trail behind, with 9.4% allocated to other services.
Charging points for electric cars
Only 32% of the hotels surveyed report adopting energy efficiency measures that alter both overall costs and operational impact.
Regarding specific efficiency measures, 97% of hotels use LED lighting, and 72% have installed occupancy sensors to reduce waste in common areas and maximize energy efficiency.
Hotels are gradually adding electric car charging points in parking areas. While 32% have done so, compliance with the legal requirement to install a charging point for every 40 spaces in non-residential private car parks with more than 20 spaces remains far from achieved.
There is a clear need to improve energy use through 100% green energy adoption, as only a portion of hotels currently rely on green sources. Active solar energy use is also an opportunity, since just 37% of hotels have solar panels for self-consumption.
What ECO-ONE highlights most is the measurement and analysis of energy conditions to determine hotel energy efficiency levels. The study identifies this as a weakness in the hotel sector, with only 15% performing energy audits before starting work.
Water consumption in showers
Seventy-four percent of hotels have installed dual-flush toilets, allowing choices between partial (3 liters) and full (6 liters) flushes and enabling savings before usage ends. This system can save up to 30 liters per room per day.
The report notes shower water use at 14 to 15 liters per minute in many hotels, despite reductions capable of lowering this to 5–7 liters per minute. Only 17% of hotels have activated savings meters in showers.
Most hotels, about 59%, have taken steps to raise guest awareness about conserving energy and water. If these habits become widespread, ECO-ONE suggests, total bill savings for the business could be substantial. Yet, 73% acknowledge that awareness measures are not effective with guests.
Investments driven by the study show that hotels analyzing energy efficiency with ECO-ONE implemented actions that could reduce energy consumption by about 35%. Many measures are practical actions rather than self-consumption, such as pipe insulation, improved air conditioning, installation of building management and automation systems (BMS), and upgrades to carpentry and windows.
In summary, real progress comes from practical, measureable steps rather than isolated upgrades. Continuous monitoring and proactive improvements appear as the most reliable routes to meaningful savings across the hotel sector.