IHG Hotels & Resorts – who own brands such as Holiday Inn, InterContinental and Crowne Plaza – has partnered with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality to open their first net zero carbon hotel in Exeter.
Named the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, the building has been designed to use as little energy as possible during operation, aiming for an Energy Use Intensity of less than 60 kWh/m² (EUI is a metric that measures a building’s energy efficiency by calculating the amount of energy consumed per m² annually)
The design includes energy-efficient systems such as heat recovery, adiabatic cooling for guestrooms, and reversible heat pumps that balance heating and cooling loads.
Triple glazing, airtight construction and fresh air ventilation enhance energy efficiency, meaning that the hotel uses a third of the energy of a traditional hotel.
Needless to say, the building runs entirely on renewable energy, indeed it is the first building in the UK to use Solarlab vertical photovoltaic panels as a rainscreen cladding system.
The hotel has earned a BREAAM rating of outstanding, meaning it scored over 85% across a range of criteria including management, water, land use & ecology, waste, and energy.
Joanna Kurowska, VP, Managing Director UK & Ireland at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: ‘With a growing number of travellers seeking responsible travel options, we are delighted to open voco Zeal Exeter Science Park. The hotel will bring a new sustainable hotel offer to our UK portfolio and build on our commitment to provide exceptional experiences for our guests.
‘Together with Zeal Hotels, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park helps set the standards for net zero carbon hotels and marks a pivotal step towards a more sustainable future in hospitality, aligned with IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow responsible business plan. By inspiring both industry leaders and our guests, we are demonstrating how comfort and sustainability can successfully coexist, benefiting both the environment and the communities we serve.’
Zeal Hotels was set up by Tim Wheeldon and Tony Clark in 2012 with the aim of creating a group of sustainable hotels.
Tim said: ‘I am incredibly proud of the team behind the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, who have worked hard to bring the Zeal Hotels vision to fruition.
‘It has been more than a decade since we founded Zeal Hotels, with the intention of helping the hotel sector be net zero carbon by 2050.
‘The decision to build our net zero hotel reflects our commitment to combating climate change and reducing our carbon footprint. By harnessing renewable energy sources, implementing energy-efficient designs, and utilising innovative technology, we have created a space that not only provides comfort and luxury but also prioritises environmental responsibility. We are looking forward to sharing our knowledge with others to help accelerate the net zero carbon process across the sector.’