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Hotel Elsenalpstube in Damüls | ecoturbino on the move in the mountains at an altitude of 1850 meters
Hotel Elsenalpstube in Damüls | optimizing sustainable water management and reducing unnecessary water usage in the mountains
In Damüls, an idyllic mountain village nestled amidst the impressive mountain scenery of the Bregenz Forest, the Elsenalpstube sits majestically at an altitude of 1850 meters.
This privileged location, right next to the mountain station of the Uga chairlift, not only makes it a popular meeting point for mountain sports enthusiasts but also a place of relaxation and rejuvenation amidst nature. The majestic peaks of the surrounding mountains form a breathtaking backdrop that captivates hikers and nature lovers alike.
Every year in February, on a special occasion, a ski tour takes us to the Elsenalpstube, where we check into the suite for a night to celebrate and enjoy the magnificent view. But this time, the visit was different.
As part of our ecoturbino mission, we not only brought our usual backpack but also ecoturbino products and a measuring bag to measure water consumption in the Elsenalpstube hotel suite – directly in the shower and at the sink.
The results were clear: With 13 liters per minute of water consumption in the shower and 12 liters per minute at the sink, the amount of water consumed was clearly too high for our standards.
Immediate action was taken, and the ecoturbino was installed in the existing shower, reducing water consumption to 7 liters per minute. Additionally, by installing the ecoturbino flow restrictor at the sink, water consumption was reduced to 5 liters per minute. These results were then communicated to the owner, Marco, who listened with interest.
In the conversation, it became evident that water is a very precious resource, especially in such a remote mountain region like Damüls. Ensuring an adequate water supply is a challenge, especially at an altitude of 1850 meters, where water must be pumped up from the valley and requires a lot of energy. However, water is often not perceived as a limited resource by guests but rather wasted.
To counteract this problem, Marco spontaneously decided to order complete ecoturbino Deluxe Sets for the replacement of all showers in the Elsenalpstube hotel, along with some showerheads from Hans Grohe for the suites, to promote sustainable water usage in the hotel. As a thank you for this spontaneous decision, we offered to bring the ecoturbino sets up in our backpack during a ski touring trip and to install the first ones ourselves.
Together with owner Marco, the first bathroom in the suite was converted. It was not only a practical measure but also an opportunity for Marco to experience the functionality of the ecoturbino live, including the showerhead self-emptying function, which ensures hygienic cleanliness. This initiative marked a positive further step in the comprehensive transition to sustainable practices at the Elsenalpstube mountain hotel.
While we continue to explore the breathtaking nature and views of the surroundings in the conservatory afterward, you can now also be assured that your stay at 1850 meters is in harmony with the environment, thanks to the sustainable measures implemented at the Elsenalpstube hotel.
The insight: Another hotel problem is likely solved thanks to ecoturbino – Enough hot water for everyone – ecoturbino feature No. 3 impact
During further table conversations, an additional topic suddenly arose. Since the expansion of the wellness facilities and at full occupancy, there have occasionally been issues with “hot water for everyone” in the evening.
Occasionally, there is not enough hot water for the last guests of the evening, or the water becomes colder. To change this unpleasant situation, an investment needs to be made, which is not amusing budget-wise.
And now it gets exciting. Due to the 40-50% reduction in water consumption with ecoturbino, the hot water consumption in the boiler also decreases by this amount. Therefore, there should be no more problems with hot water quantities in the future. Based on this insight, Marco plans to renovate everything in the coming months (including the staff accommodations), and then we will see the effect.
If this works, then ecoturbino has prevented a higher necessary investment with the lowest budget and additionally saves ongoing operating costs from now on.
Image video of Damüls | Winter Wonderland
