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Aerothermal energy, the award-winning cleaning system implemented in the new RIU Plaza España in Madrid.

At RIU Hotels & Resorts we strive on a daily basis to be a hotel chain that is committed to and responsible for the impact of our activity in the 19 countries where we operate. As such we have established 12 commitments, aligned with the SDGs, which contribute to the sustainable development of destinations and set out the company’s Social Corporate Responsibility roadmap.

These commitments include ‘Energy Saving’ and ‘Reduction in CO₂ Emissions’, which aim to reduce the energy consumption of electricity and fuels, while also decreasing the amount of pollution that our activity generates, thanks to energy-saving measures that will help us to be more efficient.

RIU Plaza España will open its doors this summer after a substantial refurbishment during which sustainability has been at the fore of every decision made. One of the efficiency measures implemented is the aerothermal energy project which we will go on to explain now, for which RIU received a ‘Re Think Hotel’ prize in the fifth edition of the competition.

What is aerothermal energy?

It is a system that works using renewable energy and uses clean technology built around state-of-the-art heat pumps, designed to provide hot water all year round.

The process is simple: the equipment extracts energy contained in the air, even when it is below freezing outside, and transfers it to the running water. This is achieved through a thermodynamic cycle which uses a refrigerant gas to extract heat from the air outside.

RIU Plaza España will open its doors this summer after a substantial refurbishment during which sustainability has been at the fore of every decision made. One of the efficiency measures implemented is the aerothermal energy project which we will go on to explain now, for which RIU received a ‘Re Think Hotel’ prize in the fifth edition of the competition.

This system is able to raise the temperature of the primary domestic hot-water production circuit to 90°C, without using any kind of conventional back-up energy. As such, operating costs and the environmental impact are reduced as there is no accumulation of diesel and both the consumption of primary energy and CO₂ emissions decrease thanks to using a renewable energy source as is air.

Main benefits

• High energy efficiency
• It is a renewable energy and therefore is sustainable.
• It requires minimal maintenance as it works like any other appliance.
• With no boiler creating combustion, there is no smoke or waste.
• It works towards Sustainable Development Goals 7, 11 and 13.

As well as this next-generation system the RIU Plaza de España will include other valuable additions which will make the hotel management the most efficient and sustainable possible.

The following measures have also been carried out in the rest of the company’s hotels to encourage energy savings, respect towards the environment, safety and a more efficient relationship between investment and performance:

• LED and low-energy lighting in the hotels.
• Lighting systems with maximum efficiency ratings in the spaces where RIU Hotels staff work.
• Use of appliances with high-efficiency equipment or class ‘A+’ energy rating.
• Replacement of diesel boilers with natural gas, which produces cleaner energy.
• Automatic air-conditioning switch-off devices in the rooms when guests open doors and windows, to prevent unnecessary energy consumption and loss.
• Installation of solar-powered lighting on terraces and garden areas.
• Timer on and off controls, synchronised with daylight hours.
• Awareness-raising and team training: training sessions on energy saving.
• Our purchasing department supports companies that are committed to energy efficiency and that use low-energy equipment.

We also strive to raise awareness among our clients so that they become responsible tourists, because small gestures added together make a big difference in the long-run, for example:

• Adjust or switch off the heating and air conditioning thermostats when not needed.
• Switch off the lights and TV whenever you leave the room.
• We recommend using public transport or other means that produce little or no pollution.

Our standard is maximum comfort for guests but with reasonable energy consumption, making good use of natural resources and contributing to reducing pollution.