Vote to help hostel funding

Rotorua YHA manager Haylee Bloor wants everyone to vote online for the hostel's geothermal project. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Rotorua Youth Hostel needs your vote to win a share of an international grant to fund a project to reduce carbon emissions in Rotorua.

The project will use geothermal energy to heat potable water rather than natural gas and electricity.

The Rotorua project has been submitted by Youth Hostel New Zealand to Hostelling International's Sustainability Fund, a pool of $55,000 to fund a renewable energy project,

Fifteen countries have applied for the funding. Grant distribution is dependent on an online vote.

In its grant application, Youth Hostel New Zealand acting chief executive Maureen McCloy said the project should reduce the Rotorua hostel's CO2 emissions by about 30 per cent (or 18 tonnes) harnessing geothermal energy.

YHA Rotorua manager Haylee Bloor said there was already a simple well down to a geothermal aquifer, which operated the same way as a water bore.

"We need to put down a bore heat exchanger, use our own water supply down to the heat exchanger using the geothermal to heat then pump it back for use."

Miss Bloor said this would be highly effective - water would be pumped down at 12-14C and return heated up to 60C. Geothermal energy rather than natural gas and electricity would heat the water.

"The bore currently draws 10-16kw, it would need to be pressure tested and checked for leaks. Pipes would need to be installed for the system."

If implemented, the project could mean savings of about $1000 a month which would be reinvested into introducing further energy efficiencies into the YHA Auckland International Hostel.

Miss Bloor said the project reinforces the YHA's commitment to environmental sustainability. YHA Rotorua is already Enviro Silver Qualmark rated and is an active member of the Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter. It has low flow shower heads, most lights on sensors, advocates the use of environmentally friendly chemicals and has water audits.

Miss Bloor said the most recent data showed YHA Rotorua's carbon emissions were 70 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to about 8 per cent of YHA's total emissions.

She encouraged everyone to vote and to tell their friends and family.

To vote for YHA Rotorua project, see www.hihostels.com/hostel. Voting closes on Monday, September 30.