Home Energy Management

Energy Management

Everyone has felt the sting of rising energy costs recently. Savvy hoteliers have implemented plans to address these increases. It could be a simple operational change or a complex capital investment. Green Lodging News covers the latest news and trends pertaining to energy management. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

Energy Management

Home Energy Management
Everyone has felt the sting of rising energy costs recently. Savvy hoteliers have implemented plans to address these increases. It could be a simple operational change or a complex capital investment. Green Lodging News covers the latest news and trends pertaining to energy management. Got news or a story idea to share? Contact Glenn Hasek, editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at: greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.

The Cliff House Resort & Spa Installs One of Maine’s Largest Solar Thermal Projects

OGUNQUIT, MAINE—Committed to sustainability and preserving the environment, The Cliff House Resort & Spa has installed one of Maine’s largest solar thermal projects. The installation uses 2,100 tubes on 70 collectors. That’s 10 times the size of an average solar project. The solar installation will save an estimated 11,000 gallons of propane annually and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 140,000 pounds per year.Solar energy will be used to provide heat and hot water for the resort’s spa building, which includes 32 guestrooms and 10 treatment rooms. The resort estimates it will reduce fossil fuel consumption in this...

Alto-Shaam Adds New Combitherm Oven

MENOMONEE FALLS, WIS.—Alto-Shaam recently added a new, smaller Combitherm oven capable of holding four full-sized hotel pans and eight half-sized hotel pans in a compact footprint. The new 4.10ESi CT Express Combitherm oven equals all the performance benefits associated with Alto-Shaam’s larger Combitherm ovens.The new “bistro size” oven measures just more than 20 inches wide, 36 inches deep and slightly more than 30 inches high. Its EcoSmart design uses less electricity and water than other compact models.The CT Express Combitherm is available in an array of colors and has a controller with basic LED inputs, ExpressTouch controller with 200...

Acuity Brands Builds on nLiGHT System

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a provider of energy-efficient lighting and control solutions, announced the addition of wireless capabilities to its nLiGHT network lighting control technology. The nWiFi solution from Sensor Switch uses existing WiFi network infrastructure to further simplify control installation and reduce hardware costs.The nWiFi solution adds conventional WiFi technology (802.11n) to nLight devices, such as occupancy sensors and relays, enabling them to seamlessly communicate with both wired and wireless nLiGHT lighting control zones. Additionally, nWiFi devices can directly communicate to locally wired nLight devices through CAT-5 cables.“The addition of nWiFi makes nLight unique, integrating both wired and wireless...

Green Practices at Glenwood Hot Springs Good for Environment, Good for Business

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLO.—Glenwood Hot Springs is famous for many things, particularly its two enormous spring-fed mineral hot springs pools and its award-winning Spa of the Rockies. Equally impressive, though less well known, is the fact that Glenwood Hot Springs has been an environmental trailblazer since long before terms like “carbon footprint,” “eco-friendly” and “sustainability” became commonplace. Now, in addition to harnessing geothermal heat sources on-site, Glenwood Hot Springs has adopted practices that include the use of state-of-the-art materials and energy-efficient technology that add up to not only dollars saved, but to a cleaner, healthier environment for visitors and the...

Toshiba Introduces New Candelabra LED Lamp

HOUSTON—Toshiba’s new candelabra 180 series is a direct replacement for a 25W incandescent candelabra and is designed to fit standard E12 and E26 socket fixtures. The lamp uses up to 84 percent less energy than incandescent candelabras.“This new lamp creates inviting, warm light that brings out the colors and elegance of any room,” said Peter DallePezze, vice president of marketing and product development, Toshiba International Corp. LED Lighting Systems Division. “This is exactly what designers, architects and homeowners have been looking for in energy-efficient lighting. Not only are LEDs known for their energy-saving performance, they’re also known for their...

Evolve Guest Controls, Intelity Announce Strategic Partnership

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.—Evolve Guest Controls, a provider of guestroom controls and Intelity, a hospitality software solution company, have announced that the companies will establish a partnership. This decision comes after more than a year of successfully working side by side in guestrooms at Philadelphia’s Hilton Inn at Penn.Through this new agreement, Evolve will take advantage of the Intelity ICE (Interactive Customer Experience) enterprise platform to power its Evolve room controls with guest service applications. Intelity’s customers will also be able to use Evolve’s room controls, which are capable of manipulating factors such as lighting, temperature, room status and...

Lutron Introduces New Stairwell Vandal-Resistant Fixture

COOPERSBURG, PA.—Light control manufacturer Lutron Electronics has released a vandal-resistant version of its wireless PowPak Stairwell Fixture. The easy-to-install, tamper-proof fixture features a heavy-duty lens and hidden wireless control that will withstand high-abuse applications in public spaces.Lutron PowPak Stairwell Fixtures work in conjunction with Radio Powr Savr wireless occupancy sensors to reduce lighting electricity use by automatically adjusting light output based on stairwell occupancy. The fixtures and sensors communicate via Lutron Clear Connect radio frequency technology, providing enhanced flexibility to determine occupancy sensor quantities, mounting configuration, and placement requirements per the stairwell design.Fully assembled and ready to install, the...

Breaking Down Net Zero Building: Reality or Wishful Thinking?

Ashley Halligan, an analyst who regularly reports on sustainability issues, recently published an article defining and breaking down the idea of net zero building. Beginning with an agreed-upon definition from experts she interviewed, she explains, "Net zero indicates that a building has generated at least as much power as it has consumed over a 12-month benchmarking period--which allows for seasonality to be factored into the measurement." She interviewed several experts including, Brian Anderson, Founding Partner of Anderson Porter Design, Dru B. Crawley, former Commercial Buildings Team Lead for the Department of Energy and current Director of Building Performance at Bentley Systems,...

VingCard Elsafe, Lutron Collaborate on Energy Management

DALLAS—VingCard Elsafe, a leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, announced an integrated product solution with Lutron Electronics, a leading designer and manufacturer of light and shade control solutions for commercial and residential applications. Through this collaboration, VingCard Elsafe and Lutron have developed a total guestroom control solution package for luxury hotels, which integrates Lutron’s premier lighting, drapery and shade control modules with VingCard Elsafe’s Orion energy management system, as well as guestroom door locks, electronic safes and minibars. Using this solution, hotels can provide their guests with total in-room comfort and increase energy efficiency with...

Outrigger Enterprises Group Installs EV Charging Stations

WAIKIKI, OAHU, HAWAII—In its efforts to continue to support the State of Hawaii’s ongoing efforts for a cleaner and more sustainable future, Outrigger Enterprises Group recently announced the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at 10 of its Waikiki and Oahu properties. Working with manufacturer and charging station provider AeroVironment, new EV charging stations are now available at the following locations: Outrigger Reef on the Beach, Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, OHANA Waikiki East, OHANA Waikiki West, OHANA Waikiki Malia, OHANA Honolulu Airport Hotel, Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk, Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Resort, Ala Moana Hotel, and Best Western...