Case study · Hospitality
The Garrison Hotel, Sheffield
A family-run boutique hotel in a Grade II listed former barracks. Right-sized VO unit cut energy bills by 10% with payback under two years, and uncovered a tariff overcharge in the process.
The site
What we were dealing with.
The Garrison Hotel is a family-run boutique hotel situated within Hillsborough Barracks, Sheffield. The Grade II listed building, originally a jail, guardhouse, and ammunition store, has been sympathetically converted into a modern hotel.
Volta was approached to assess the viability of voltage optimisation to reduce the hotel's energy consumption and costs. By analysing electricity bills and carrying out a site survey, the hotel's peak energy consumption (Maximum Demand) was established.
The survey highlighted that the hotel's electricity supply was significantly larger than the actual load required. This insight allowed the team to specify a right-sized VO unit matched to the hotel's real demand rather than the supply capacity, reducing equipment cost, improving ROI, and shortening the payback window.
| Sector | Hospitality |
| Site size | Boutique hotel · Grade II listed |
| Operating pattern | Year-round hotel operation |
| Baseline voltage | — V |
| Post-install voltage | — V |
| Annual kWh saving | — kWh |
The install
What we did.
A VOC315i commercial voltage optimiser was specified and sized to the hotel's actual measured load, not the oversized incoming supply. This right-sizing approach reduced capex and improved the return on investment.
To minimise disruption to hotel guests, the install was carried out overnight. The hotel continued normal operations the following morning with no guest-facing impact.
The result
What we measured.
Comparing matched periods (February–May) in 2015 (without VO) and 2016 (with VO), the hotel's energy consumption reduced by 13,970 kWh in that four-month window alone, equating to a saving of £1,790 for the period.
Annualised, the saving is approximately £5,683 per year, a 10 % average reduction despite 2016 being a colder year than 2015 (confirmed by degree-day data for the area).
An additional benefit emerged during the billing analysis: the survey process identified that the hotel was being overcharged on its electricity tariff. Renegotiation of the tariff delivered additional savings on top of the VO reduction.
Measurement & verification method
Daily energy consumption compared for matched periods (1 Feb – 23 May) in 2015 (without VO) and 2016 (with VO). Degree-day data for the area confirmed 2016 was considerably colder than 2015, meaning the measured 10% saving is conservative. In a like-for-like temperature year the saving would be higher.
We had a Voltage Optimiser fitted to reduce our energy costs, and it's done just that! It was initially looking like we'd be saving nearly £6,000 a year, but it was also highlighted that we were being overcharged, which prompted us to renegotiate a reduction in our energy tariffs so we are now saving even more! To minimise any disruption to our guests, the team arranged to have the optimiser installed overnight. They provided a hassle free service and I have no hesitation in recommending their products and services.
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