Sustainable Hotel killarney
Personal demands from guests have made sustainability a vital part of operations at Randles Hotel in Killarney, with a strong commitment from owner Tom Randles – the 3rd generation hotelier within the family business – to delivering a carbon-free hotel experience.
Focus for change
Steps to sustaibnility
2020-2021 – Works Completed
- Implement Air Source Heat Pump for hot water generation system to replace the existing gas fuelled Calorifiers and enable to run the domestic hot water on a renewable efficient system – Energy Savings of 250,000 Kwh per annum, 40% Cost Savings per annum, 52,000 Kg CO2 saved per annum.
- Introduce a new low temperature AHU that runs and controls in a more efficient manner – Energy Savings of 400,000 Kwh per annum, 60% Cost Savings per annum, 82,000 Kg CO2 saved per annum.
- In 2024, in order to further enhance our sustainable initiatives and progress, management took the decision to close our leisure centre which reduced our energy usage by 10%. This step reinforces our dedication to creating a greener, more sustainable future.
- Introducing 30Kw PV Panels on the roof of the hotel. Currently the Solar PV is creating surplus electricity and is producing 50% of the overall hotel usage on a daily basis- Energy savings 28,294 Kwh per annum, 13,451 Kg CO2 saved per annum, 20 Equivalent Trees Planted.
- Introduce a new Energy Management System with remote monitoring, to control and monitor significant energy usage in the building.
- Install pool cover to reduce heat losses from the swimming pool of the leisure centre. Please note, In 2024, as part of our commitment to sustainability, we made the strategic decision to close our leisure centre, resulting in a 10% reduction in energy usage. This step reinforces our dedication to creating a greener, more sustainable future.
- Replace Fluorescent Lights in below and above ground car parks for new LED lights.
2021-2022
- Introduce Air Source Heat Pump for Space Heating through monobloc units, these will be combined with Phase 1 hot water generation upgrade, and the entire system will be run on renewable Air Source Heat Pumps – Additional 380,000 Kwh energy saved with combined space heating and domestic hot water via heat pumps, 30% Cost Saving per annum, 78,000 Kg CO2 saved per annum.
- Upgrade Air-Conditioning with more efficient system for specific suite rooms.
- New efficient Kitchen Supply and Extract fans with variable speed controlled via a proving system.
- Upgrade all Heating and Domestic hot water generation pumps with variable speed system. The upgrade will give a wider control of flow rates, reduce energy usage and more accurate control of the entire new efficient system.
- External Pipework for Heating and Domestic Hot Water to be insulted and cladding to conserve energy.
2022-2023 – Works
- Upgrade Windows to sectional blocks of the building.
- Upgrade insulation in certain areas of the building with heat losses.
- Introduce Car Parking Points in Car Park.
- Implement additional Solar PV panels.
The projects have already had a huge impact on cost-saving and energy saving efforts, and on reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint. As a result of these measures, the hotel was able to promote core values in wellness & sustainability which in return has led to a far more proactive and positive working environment. The project has given the hotel the perfect opportunity to challenge its limitations and turn the Victorian Structure into an energy efficient building to modern day standards with the most up-to-date technology.
Making the differece
In addition to the above achievements and we continually revaluating and making mindset and actioned changes. We are actively making a difference by:
- Eliminating single-use plastic
- Miniature plastic shower gels, shampoo conditioners and other toiletries are minimised and have been replaced with larger refillable dispensers.
- Compostable take away cups
- Water bottles are glass, not plastic
- All of our bottled water, for drinking purposes, are filtered water onsite.
- LED lighting used throughout hotel
- Food waste is monitored on a continual basis in order to reduce
- Biodegradable, environmentally-friendly cleaning products used
- All our employees follow our ‘Think Before You Print’ policy
- All guest information is on your TV screen to reduce printing
- Option to have your receipt for your stay emailed to you?
- Access to EV charging point at the Centra forecourt across the road.
Randles Hotel is part of a group of 22 Killarney hotels which signed a very unique sustainability charter as core principle of our business, with an initial aim of cutting carbon emissions by 25%. The charter among the hotels the first of its kind within the hotel industry in Ireland is not only aimed at reducing carbon emissions but to collaborate and share best practices when it comes to sustainability.
