As part of its work to support energy efficiency across the HORECA sector, the EerngyEfficiency4HORECA project has developed and tested sector-specific benchmarking tools for hotels, restaurants and catering businesses. These tools help companies better understand their energy performance and identify where improvements can deliver the greatest impact.
Benchmarking goes beyond measuring total energy consumption. It enables businesses to compare their performance against reference values and best practices, revealing gaps that are not always immediately visible. In some cases, activities with relatively low overall energy use may still be performing well below their potential, making them cost-effective and easy targets for improvement.
The project’s benchmarking approach helps businesses prioritise actions by assessing performance gaps in comparison with sector benchmarks, cost-effectiveness in terms of potential savings and payback periods, feasibility based on technical and operational constraints, and alignment with the company’s broader energy strategy.
Using real-life case studies from hotels, restaurants and catering companies, the project demonstrated how benchmarking supports informed decision-making. The tools helped businesses identify practical measures—ranging from optimising heating and cooling systems to improving kitchen operations or organisational practices—that reduce energy use without compromising service quality.
Importantly, the benchmarking tools are designed to be accessible and pragmatic, allowing HORECA managers to carry out an initial self-assessment without the need for complex audits. When combined with collaboration across the value chain, benchmarking becomes a powerful driver for continuous improvement.
EE4HORECA encourages HORECA businesses, intermediaries and energy advisors to use benchmarking as a starting point for their energy efficiency journey—turning data into targeted action, cost savings and long-term resilience.
