Investigation and analysis of energy and water use of hotel buildings in Tunisia

This study provides an overview of energy and water use in hotel buildings in Tunisia. It is based on a survey of energy audit reports performed on 137 hotels across the country. The results revealed that energy and water consumption are mainly related to room's floor area, number of guest nights and number of food covers. The strength of the relationship depends on hotel standard. In addition, results showed a significant difference in energy and water use patterns between hotel standard's, suggesting that 5-star hotel establishments have to be handled apart. Furthermore, the breakdown of electricity uses indicated that water chiller plants account for 29%, elevators, pumps, water-boost for 28% and lighting for 17%. Whereas the breakdown of thermal uses demonstrated the importance of space heating and domestic hot water accounting for the two-thirds of the total fuel use. On the other hand, energy and water performance indicators vary greatly from one standard to another and are extremely high in comparison to other Mediterranean countries. Finally, recommendations were put forward regarding the definition of energy/water performance benchmarks and retrofit solutions for hotel buildings in Tunisia. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study provides an overview of energy and water use in hotel buildings in Tunisia, highlighting significant differences in usage patterns between different hotel standards and proposing recommendations for improving energy/water performance benchmarks for hotel buildings in Tunisia.