People take many factors into consideration when choosing a hotel. Important offerings from a hotel include concierge services, amenities, location, dining options, and more. However, these differ from customer to customer because everybody will have different desires and needs for their hotel stay.
One important criteria all customers should look for in a hotel is high-quality indoor air. Poor indoor air quality in a hotel is unhealthy for employees and guests, and it can have major financial and reputational repercussions for the hotel. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to improve air quality in a hotel and the simplest way is to install thermostats. Read below to learn more!
Ductless Mini Splits
Ductless mini splits are another excellent way to ventilate a hotel room and improve air quality. These innovative air conditioners offer guests unrivaled temperature control and comfort. In fact, a Tripadvisor survey found that 63% of 44,000 surveyed respondents said that air conditioning is the most important “must-have” in their hotel room. Mini splits offer many benefits over other HVAC systems, as they are so efficient that they reduce the hotel’s heating and cooling costs. They are also very quiet, so they will not disturb guests as they sleep or relax in their room.
Mini splits also double as air filters, purifiers, and dehumidifiers. They simultaneously remove any harmful materials and allergens from the air as they heat and cool the room. Mini split filters require regular maintenance, as they should be cleaned every four to six weeks and replaced annually. These timelines are general guidelines and may vary depending on the machine’s level of usage and other factors. Installing mini splits in hotel rooms eliminates the need for stand-alone air purifiers. Coupled with their heightened efficiency, this leads to significant savings on heating and cooling energy costs for the hotel.
No Smoking in Rooms
One of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality in a hotel is to ban indoor smoking. Many hotels offer smoking and non-smoking rooms for guests, but these policies are not as effective as planned. Customers are often assigned the wrong types of rooms, and fines for smoking in non-smoking rooms are loosely enforced and rarely collected. The cigarette smoke can also infiltrate the air conditioning ducts and spread throughout the hotel.
Smoking in hotel rooms exposes present and future guests to second- and thirdhand smoke, which contains a high number of harmful bacteria. The smoke also embeds itself in the carpet fibers and furniture, which creates an unpleasant lingering smell and further exposure to the pathogens. A strictly enforced “no indoor smoking” policy will do wonders toward improving indoor air quality in a hotel.
Air Purifiers
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is actually more harmful than outdoor air. To combat the potentially high amount of pollutants indoors and create a more comfortable environment for guests, hotels should install air purifiers in each room. Air purifiers remove bacteria, dust, dirt, debris, and other various harmful pathogens or allergens from the air.
They also help deter the growth of mold and mildew. Air purifiers in hotel rooms are very beneficial for guests with respiratory illnesses such as asthma. The clean, filtered air creates a much more comfortable environment and minimizes or eliminates sensitivities and symptoms.
Open Windows
Proper ventilation is key to improving indoor air quality. One of the easiest ways to ventilate a hotel room is by opening the windows. This allows fresh outdoor air to enter and any harmful indoor air to exit. If possible, open windows on both sides of the room to create a cross-breeze and help naturally ventilate any room.
Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
Using non-toxic cleaning products is another smart solution to improving indoor air quality. Many cleaning products include harmful pollutants and toxins that decrease indoor air quality, create an unpleasant smell, and irritate guests. Fortunately, there are many non-toxic cleaning products on the market! Switching to healthier cleaning products eliminates any guest’s exposure to these irritants, and some even do a better job of cleaning than their competitors.
More hotels are realizing the impact of cleaning products on their air quality. Hotel wellness company Pure Wellness designed “Pure Rooms” in 300 hotels specifically for those with asthma and other allergies. The rooms are cleaned with non-toxic and hypoallergenic cleaners to create a healthier environment for guests, which includes increased air quality. If more hotels follow suit, there will be a noticeable increase in hotel air quality around the world.
Indoor Plants
Certain plants have been shown to improve indoor air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Some also kill other harmful bacteria and airborne chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene. English ivy, bamboo palm, pot mum, and peace lily are a few of the many plant types that help purify the air. Not only that, but the plants look great and liven up the hotel room!
Indoor Air Quality Inspection
Sometimes, general troubleshooting may not be enough to pinpoint the exact cause of a problem. If you think other methods are not improving your hotel’s indoor air quality, call a professional for an indoor air quality inspection. They will examine your entire property and pinpoint the exact source of any problems.
They can provide you with a detailed report and recommend which specific actions will remedy the problem. A professional inspection is sure to improve your hotel’s air quality and create a comfortable, healthy, and enjoyable environment for guests.
The importance of clean air for hotel guests cannot be understated. Not only does it help them comfortably enjoy their stay, but it makes them more likely to return again or recommend the property to a friend. It is equivalent to referring a friend on Big Basket. These solutions to fixing air quality in a hotel are simple, but they go a long way.
Dr. Laura Thompson
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