In the coming months Green Lodging News will be featuring suppliers whose advances have contributed to enhanced indoor air quality or significant energy, water or waste savings for hoteliers. Lodging Technology is the first company to be featured in this series.
ROANOKE, VA.—Anyone who has been in the lodging industry for a long time knows about Lodging Technology. The company has been offering its guestroom energy management solutions since 1984. In fact, Bill Fizer, President and Founder of the company, developed the original infrared body heat sensing energy management system (EMS) and is considered a pioneer in occupancy sensor-based hotel energy conservation. Fizer estimates his company’s systems are in more than 200,000 guestrooms.
Prior to Fizer’s introduction of infrared body heat sensing technology, occupancy-based systems relied only on motion sensing technology. With that technology, a motion sensor could not tell the difference between a ceiling fan and a guest, Fizer says.
Today, Lodging Technology offers its GEM Link Wireless system. Made in the United States, it connects to any HVAC system, including: PTACs, split systems, mini splits, fan coil units, 26″ PTACs, and electric baseboard heaters.
“GEM Link Wireless is a pure EMS,” Fizer says. “It is not a thermostat and does not have anything to do with a thermostat. You don’t have to replace the thermostat. It applies to any AC of any age with any voltage—anywhere there is an AC system or heater. Other systems are thermostat-based.”
The problem with a thermostat-based EMS is that the thermostat is typically 60 inches off the floor. “The pattern of infrared detection only sees out 10 feet,” Fizer says. “A guest may not be detected.”
Three Primary Components
Lodging Technology’s GEM Link Wireless system consists of three primary components: a door switch, an infrared sensor high on the wall like a smoke detector, and a transceiver module that attaches to the HVAC system (PTAC, for example). (Click here for image showing location of components in a guestroom.) The system is triggered when the door is opened by a guest. The purpose of the entry door switch at the door is to lock the system into an “occupied mode” without further detection of guests being required. The infrared sensor continually monitors the room for the presence of the guest. If a guest leaves the room, the HVAC system remains on for 10 minutes. A hotelier can determine the amount a room temperature will drift once a guest checks out or leaves the room for an extended period.
Because the GEM Link Wireless system incorporates a door switch, balcony doors can also be included in the system. Electric water heaters can also be controlled. A transceiver is connected to it. It turns off the water heater for a set period but also cycles it every so often so that the water never gets cold.
“We can control any appliance,” Fizer says. A transceiver connected to a two-burner cooktop in a suite can be turned off automatically if the suite is vacated more than 30 minutes. A transceiver can also be used to turn off most of the lights.
All of this automated activity can lead to significant energy savings, Fizer says. In fact, he says he has never seen a guestroom save less than 35 percent in energy. “Most see a 40 to 42 percent guestroom energy savings,” Fizer says. A hotel’s overall energy reduction will depend on the type of hotel. Fizer referenced a Hampton Inn that had reduced its total energy bill by 19 percent thanks to GEM Link Wireless.
Because of the type of technology used by Lodging Technology, it can also offer a Room Status Scanner. Housekeeping or maintenance staff are given a handheld device with a keypad. The device integrates with the transceiver. If the handheld generates a red light the room is occupied. If it generates a green light, it is not. The Room Status Scanner prevents the disturbing of guests.
Some Important Words of Advice
When asked what advice he would give to anyone considering a guestroom energy management system, Fizer said, “It must have an entry door switch. Once the door is opened, the system is activated. While the guest is in the room, GEM has nothing to do with the AC and heat. When the door opens it wakes up. If everyone has left the room, it will time out. The wider the setback, the more energy saved. It lets you walk the line of guest comfort.”
Fizer added that the location of the infrared detector is critical. If located on the thermostat and that thermostat is not properly located, the system will not achieve its full benefit. He emphasized that one should consider the longevity of the company you are working with, as well as its size. “When you are owned by a large company, you have to have certain margins,” Fizer says.
The durability of the system is also key. One of Lodging Technology’s installations has been working for 21 years.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
