Typical hotel energy consumption
Consumption bands widen considerably with hotel size and facility mix. A budget hotel without a pool or extensive catering will use markedly less than a full-service hotel offering restaurant, bar, conference and spa facilities.
| Hotel size | Electricity (kWh/yr) | Gas (kWh/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (20-40 rooms, no leisure) | 100,000 - 200,000 | 90,000 - 180,000 |
| Mid-size (40-100 rooms, some leisure) | 200,000 - 500,000 | 180,000 - 400,000 |
| Large (100+ rooms, full leisure/conference) | 500,000 - 1,200,000+ | 400,000 - 900,000+ |
What drives the cost
- Room heating, hot water and air conditioning running continuously
- Laundry facilities where linen is processed on-site
- Pool and spa heating, often the single largest gas load where present
- Kitchen and restaurant operations serving guests and events
- Lighting and lift operation across corridors and public areas around the clock
Gas versus electricity split
Gas typically covers space heating, hot water and often pool heating, making it the larger component of total energy spend at many hotels, particularly older buildings with gas-fired boilers. Electricity covers lighting, lifts, air conditioning and catering equipment.
Occupancy and seasonal demand
Energy use tracks occupancy less closely than might be expected, since heating, hot water standby and communal lighting continue even at low occupancy. Seasonal hotels should still budget for meaningful off-season consumption when comparing quotes and setting contract volumes.
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Standing charges and metering
Larger hotels generally move to half-hourly electricity metering once consumption crosses regulatory thresholds, which gives more detailed usage data but also more exposure to peak-time charges. Standing charges reflect the higher connection capacity needed for continuous 24-hour operation.
Contract length and renewal timing
Hotels commonly fix electricity and gas for 2 to 3 years to support budgeting across seasonal trading cycles. Renewal should be reviewed at least 4 to 6 months ahead of expiry, particularly for larger sites where bespoke contract negotiation takes longer to arrange.
How to compare hotel energy prices
- Provide 12 months of consumption data covering both peak and off-peak seasons
- Separate leisure facility consumption if metered independently
- Ask for quotes across multiple contract lengths to compare budget certainty
- Confirm whether existing meters qualify for half-hourly settlement