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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.

Sheraton Phoenix Hotel Plants Seasonal Garden on Fourth Floor Deck

PHOENIX—With a focused eye towards being more environmentally conscious, the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel has planted a 120-square-foot seasonal garden on the fourth-floor deck of the 31-floor hotel. In addition, the hotel is working with a vendor to determine possible CFL or LED technology for custom lighting fixtures that currently only work with traditional incandescent bulbs. These two initiatives are amongst many eco-friendly practices of the new hotel, others of which include a comprehensive banquet recycling program, installment of a water filtration system to purify water and reduce waste, and an internal green team that regularly meets to proactively...

ASHRAE Introduces Prototype of Building Energy Label at Annual Conference

ATLANTA—Most of us know the fuel efficiency of our cars, but what about our buildings? ASHRAE is working to change that, moving one step closer to introducing its building energy labeling program with release of a prototype label at its 2009 Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky. A prototype label for the ASHRAE headquarters in Atlanta was unveiled. The Building Energy Quotient program, which will be known as Building EQ, will include both asset and operational ratings for all building types, except residential. ASHRAE is working with major real estate developers to implement the label prototype this fall with a...

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Earns Green Lodging Designation

HOLLYWOOD, FLA.—The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., has been awarded the Florida Green Lodging Program One Palm designation from The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The voluntary state initiative provides the lodging industry with free technical assistance, encouraging hotels and motels to adopt cost-saving green practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is the first hotel/casino in the State of Florida to earn this distinction. This designation directly supports Hard Rock International’s “Save the Planet” global philanthropic initiative to make the Earth a safer, healthier and...

Steril-Aire’s New UVC Kit for Air Handlers Saves Energy

BURBANK, CALIF.—A new UVC Kit for Air Handlers from Steril-Aire, Inc. may be used in a wide range of HVAC applications to destroy microorganisms including flu viruses, bacteria and mold. The easy-to-install kit delivers Steril-Aire’s proven UVC technology to fan coil units, unit ventilator systems and indoor air handlers with coils up to 84" (213.4 cm) with dual access. It delivers energy savings on retrofit installations, maintains factory design efficiency on new units, and improves indoor air quality and infection control in all systems. Applications include air handlers serving patient rooms, classrooms, hotel/motel rooms, apartments and condominiums, and offices in...

Great Addresses Greens Energy Purchase, Buys Wind Power

WASHINGON, D.C.—World Energy Solutions, Inc., an operator of online exchanges for energy and green commodities, announced that Great Addresses, a leading independent hotel management company in Washington, D.C., has successfully greened the energy portfolios of its flagship properties through transactions on the World Energy Exchange and World Green Exchange. Great Addresses worked with World Energy to first secure a 36-month electricity contract, with 10 percent green power, for its premiere D.C. lodgings, The Carlyle Suites Hotel and The Savoy Suites Hotel. Then, spurred by the savings from that transaction, Great Addresses invested in a three-year strip of Renewable Energy...

Hyatt Regency New Brunswick Installs SunPower Solar System

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.—Hyatt Regency New Brunswick recently flipped the switch to dedicate its newly installed SunPower solar power system, marking the hotel’s initial step towards generating clean, renewable solar power. The hotel partnered with SunPower Corp., a manufacturer of high-efficiency solar cells, panels and systems, to design and install the 32,000-square-foot, 421-kilowatt system over the top floor of the hotel’s garage. At a dedication ceremony, Hyatt Regency New Brunswick celebrated the completion of the new photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system. General manager Adrian Hughes and director of engineering Scott Stahl addressed a group of attendees, including New Brunswick Mayor James...

New Publication Provides Energy Efficiency Guidance for Highway Hotels

ATLANTA—Recommendations on achieving 30 percent energy savings over minimum code requirements are contained in the newly published “Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging.” The energy savings guidance for design of new hotels provides a first step toward achieving a net-zero-energy building. “The recommendations allow the building industry to create more energy-efficient hotels while maintaining the quality and functionality of the space to provide a pleasant guest experience,” said Ron Jarnagin, chair of the committee that wrote the book. The book, published by ASHRAE, gives guidance to architects, engineers, contractors and other building team members on how to easily achieve...

NYLO Announces Renewable Energy Partnership With TXU Energy

ATLANTA—When NYLO Dallas/Las Colinas opens in late July 2009, it will run on 100 percent renewable energy. The loft-style boutique hotel brand has signed an agreement with TXU Energy to become the supplier’s first hotel customer in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to purchase 100 percent Renewable Energy Certificate-based electricity. “This is a huge initiative as we look to become an even more eco-friendly brand,” said Patrick O’Neil, executive vice president of operations for NYLO Hotels, which already incorporates renewable energy in all of its other locations. “TXU Energy is our neighbor in Las Colinas, and we are proud to work...

Allegria Hotel & Spa Set to Open in Long Beach, New York on July 1

LONG BEACH, N.Y.—The Allegria Hotel & Spa, located in Long Beach, N.Y., just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, will open July 1. The 143-room property is expected to earn LEED certification by this fall. The hotel previously was a 140-room assisted living facility. It was renovated and expanded by three floors. Minimal demolition was needed during the conversion. The hotel will include a rooftop Joseph Christopher for Beauty & Wellness spa and a poolside bar, Jacks on the Rocks. It will serve light spa fare and organic juices and smoothies, all prepared under the direction of chef Todd...

HEI Wins 2009 Corporate Energy Management of the Year Award

NORWALK, CONN.—HEI Hotels & Resorts, one of the United States’ fastest growing private owner/operators of hotel real estate, announced the company will be presented with the 2009 Corporate Energy Management of the Year Award at The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)’s Awards Celebration Banquet, held in conjunction with the World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC), on November 4 of this year. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. “Energy consumption is one of the leading issues facing the world today,” said Bob Holesko, CEM, vice president of facilities, HEI Hotels & Resorts. “This...