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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.

New Lutron Website Provides Light Bulb Selection Advice

COOPERSBURG, PA.—As consumers and businesses struggle with the myriad light bulb choices available to achieve energy efficiency and other objectives, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., has created an easy-to-read website designed to answer the basic question, “What is the best light bulb for me?” The new site—www.lutron.com/bulbs—compares standard-socket (E26) incandescent, screw-in compact fluorescent (CFL) and halogen bulbs. The bulbs are evaluated in a variety of categories, including efficiency, price, performance, controllability and quality of light. According to the site: • Incandescent bulbs provide rich, warm light quality, excellent color rendering and controllability, but are the least efficient. • Screw-in CFL bulbs are generally...

LG Electronics Expands AC Line with MULTI VTM Series

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—LG Electronics, one of the world’s largest air conditioner manufacturers, unveiled its new MULTI VTM series of commercial air conditioners. The new series launches the company’s extensive portfolio of applied commercial air-conditioning products into the U.S. market, and features design flexibility, industry-leading efficiency, low noise levels and one of the longest refrigeration piping lengths available. “Launching our advanced MULTI V commercial air-conditioning series into the U.S. market builds on LG Electronics’ position as one of the world’s largest suppliers of commercial and residential air conditioner units,” said Steve Schmitt, director, Commercial Air Conditioning, LG Electronics USA, Inc. “The...

ARAMARK Partners with Renewable Choice Energy to Offset its Energy Consumption

PHOENIX, ARIZ.—ARAMARK Parks & Resorts, a division of ARAMARK Harrison Lodging, announced that it has chosen Renewable Choice Energy, the award-winning, full-service provider of renewable energy credits and carbon offsets, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation, to continue its traditional energy offset program. In 2007, ARAMARK began offsetting 100 percent of its traditional energy consumption with alternative energy solutions at its national and state park managed properties. ARAMARK has purchased 17,152,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that this purchase helps avoid the same amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced...

Polyglass USA Rolls Out Kool Roof Solutions Package

FERNLEY, NEV.— Polyglass USA, a leading manufacturer of modified bitumen roofing products, has introduced its Kool Roof Solutions Package, which includes its Polykool, Polybianko and Polyfresko self-adhesive roofing membranes. These high-performance white membranes are designed to provide superior reflectivity and energy efficiency for low-slope roofing applications. Manufactured with patented ADESO dual-compound technology, Polyglass’ Kool Roof Solution membranes combine a top ply of APP modified bitumen compound with a self-adhesive bottom ply, providing durability and waterproofing protection. This self-adhesive technology also provides a safe, easy and efficient application, eliminating the need for fasteners and other installation accessories. Polykool, Polybianko and...

Green Lodging News Welcomes Free Clean Solar as Directory Partner

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Free Clean Solar as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. The Free Clean Solar website provides a list of solar installers as well as lenders that finance solar panel installations for hotels, restaurants and casinos. The company’s solar power calculator tool shows how to save money on utility bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The website makes it easy to get quotes on solar projects and provides access to rebate information. For additional information, call (888) 498-3331, e-mail info@freecleansolar.com, or go to www.freecleansolar.com.

Green Roofs 101: Understanding the Basics & Benefits

NATIONAL REPORT—Hotels are emerging as leaders in the Green movement. Many are now building more environmentally responsible properties and are even seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. For instance, the soon-to-open Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel will incorporate a number of energy- and water-conservation systems as well as several sustainable operating practices. And when construction is completed in August, the 750-room, $301 million hotel beside the Baltimore Convention Center will contain the area’s largest green roof—32,000 square feet, to be exact. So what does that mean? The Hilton Hotel’s gigantic roof is expected to reap big benefits for...

TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort, Destin Receives EcoGreen Award

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.— TOPS’L Beach & Racquet Resort in Destin, Fla., owned and managed by ResortQuest Northwest Florida, has been awarded the EcoGreen Award following their “Go Green” initiative. The resort wanted to rethink the way it did business and look at ways to help the environment, while saving money in the process. They discovered a large portion of energy consumption is related to lighting and discovered that it made sense, on a cost-saving level, to commit to the EcoGreen Award online program, pioneered by Tropical Lights, Inc. in Fort Lauderdale. The 52-acre property is comprised of gulf-front and...

Telkonet Wins Cornerstone Hotel Management Contract

GERMANTOWN, MD.—Telkonet, Inc., a leading provider of innovative, centrally managed solutions for integrated energy management, networking, building automation and proactive support services, announced that it has won an energy management contract with Cornerstone Hotel Management as part of Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy incentive program. Cornerstone Hotel Management will initially install the in-room, occupancy-driven Telkonet SmartEnergy (TSE) energy management system at three of its properties to lower utility bills by eliminating unnecessary heating and cooling of unoccupied guest rooms. Launched in March 2008, Telkonet and Focus on Energy provide eligible hospitality customers in Wisconsin with discounted energy management products and installation...

Control4 Introduces Guestroom Automation System

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Control4 Corp., a leader in IP-based control and entertainment systems, announced the release of Control4 Suite Systems, a customized version of the company’s home automation and entertainment control technology. Control4 Suite Systems provides a platform of innovative convenience and automation for the in-room environment by enabling hotel guests to control lighting, room temperature, television/video systems, music, draperies and requests for services through a single remote. “We’ve worked closely with the industry to develop a fully customized room automation platform that is incredibly easy to use, install and maintain,” said Will West, CEO at Control4. “Control4 Suite...

Litetronics Adds Spiral-Lite Covered CFLs to Its Product Line

ALSIP, ILL.—Litetronics International, Inc. has introduced Spiral-Lite Covered CFLs into its product line. Spiral-Lite Covered CFLs come in a variety of familiar shapes to combine the energy savings of compact fluorescent lamps with the attractive look and feel of an incandescent. Available in 9-watt and 14-watt A19, 11-watt G25, 15-watt R30, 23-watt R40, and 23-watt PAR38, Spiral-Lite Covered CFLs provide up to 80 percent energy savings in a wide range of applications. These energy savings help lower utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Spiral-Lite Covered CFLs are Energy Star qualified and have an average life of 8,000 to...