ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDING PRACTICES AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE ACROSS STAR-RATED HOTELS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY
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This study examined the impact of energy-efficient building practices on the operational performance of star-rated
hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Hotels are among the most energy-intensive commercial establishments,
incurring high operational costs largely driven by lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
systems. The study adopted a descriptive correlational cross-sectional design on 49 star-rated hotels in Nairobi
County. Operational managers were purposively selected as respondents because of their direct involvement in
implementing and monitoring sustainability practices. Data was collected through structured questionnaires. Both
descriptive and inferential statistics were run in the analysis of data. The findings reveal a moderate but consistent
adoption of energy-efficient practices such as LED lighting, smart HVAC systems, renewable energy integration,
and staff training on sustainable energy use. Hotels reported noticeable reductions in monthly utility bills and
overall energy costs. Regression analysis revealed a moderately strong, statistically significant relationship
between energy-efficient practices and energy costs (R = .620, R² = .384, p < .001). This implies that
approximately 38% of the variation in energy costs savings can be explained by the extent of energy efficiency
adoption. It can be concluded that energy-efficient building practices significantly contribute to cost savings in
star-rated hotels. Hotels should prioritize investment in modern HVAC technologies, energy monitoring systems,
and renewable energy sources to enhance sustainability and reduce operational costs
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References
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- Chomba, G., Wanjiru, G., Gesage, B., & Kariuki, A. (2022). Influence of energy conservation practices on customer satisfaction in star-rated hotels in Mt. Kenya region, Kenya. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom.