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Oyster Box honours the environment
Mindful of the need to reduce operating costs and
acknowledging its obligation to minimise the impact
of its operations on the environment, the five-star
Oyster Box hotel in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, em-
barked on an energy efficiency campaign to reduce
electricity usage.
From the inner core of the 86-room hotel to
the breathtaking pool areas outside, energy saving
technologies and electricity smart behaviours are
quietly at work to optimise efficiencies. According
to Jonathan Olsen, the Maintenance Manager at
the hotel, it was important to the owners, Stanley
and BeaTollman, that the process of implementing
these strategic interventions should in no way affect
their guests’ experience.
The energy saving journey began in the hotel’s
guest rooms. Windows were double-glazed to
minimise radiant heat from permeating the rooms,
which even in the warm and humid KwaZulu-Natal
climate assists with limiting the need for artificial
cooling. In winter, the window glazing serves to
retain internal temperatures without overusing
heating systems.
Specialised reflective paint has been used on
ceilings to reflect light and create natural lightness,
which minimises the need for artificial lighting dur-
ing the day. Ceiling fans, a more cost effective and
energy efficient cooling alternative to air condition-
ers, were installed in every guest room; guests are
encouraged to use these instead of turning on air
conditioners.
Micro switches have been installed on all rooms’
sliding doors so that air conditioners are automati-
cally turned off when a door is opened. Guests’
room cards have been equipped with a reader that
activates the lights in the room on entry. When
guests leave the room, the card reader automatical-
ly shuts down lighting and air conditioning systems.
“Recognising that lighting accounted for a sig-
nificant portion of our energy costs, we replaced
over 600 electricity intensive incandescent and
halogen lamps with CFLs in the hotel’s common
areas and passages. These lamps use up to 80%
less electricity and last about eight times longer
than incandescent lamps whilst producing the same
amount of light. We have, therefore, retained the
same warm ambience in our public areas,” says
Olsen.
Motion sensors in the hotel’s administrative
offices and storerooms ensure that no electricity
is wasted through lighting and ventilation systems
being left on unnecessarily. Outside, the Oyster
Box has implemented a heat recovery system that
absorbs heat rejected by its cooling towers to heat
water and keep the hotel’s 15 sparkling pools at the
desired warm temperature.
A stringent maintenance programme exists for
heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems;
refrigeration systems; fans; and lighting and cook-
ing equipment.
Knowing that its energy saving drive cannot be
effective or sustainable without the support of its
staff, the Oyster Box also runs a comprehensive
back-of-house campaign to encourage electricity
smart behaviour amongst employees, who are
reminded to switch off lights and appliances when
they are not in use.
Visit
for information on energy saving.
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