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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.

Greenbuild Exhibitors Roll Out New Products, Announce Offset Initiatives

CHICAGO—For hotel developers in search of everything necessary to build smart, high performance buildings, Greenbuild was the place to be this week. Approximately 850 vendors offering everything from environmentally friendly cinder block to roofing materials to carpeting were on hand. The event, sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council, was held here in Chicago at McCormick Place. Here are just a few of the vendor announcement highlights: • As a part of its continued commitment to sustainable practices, Osram Sylvania announced its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders program. By participating in Climate Leaders, Sylvania has pledged...

Proximity Hotel, In Search of Platinum LEED Approval, Opens in Greensboro

GREENSBORO, N.C.—Built to use 40 percent less energy and 30 percent less water than a comparable hotel, Proximity Hotel offers a glimpse of the future while celebrating the past. Sustainable practices, custom-designed furnishings, commissioned art and innovative design await guests in every corner of the 147-room luxury hotel and the adjacent Print Works Bistro. Proximity Hotel’s sustainable design and construction follows the guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. With the goal to attain Platinum...

W Hotel Chain Installs Energy Focus Inc. Systems at Two Properties

SOLON, OHIO—Energy Focus, Inc., a global leader in energy-efficient lighting technologies, announced that W Hotels has signed contracts to install Energy Focus, Inc.’s energy efficient EFO lighting systems at properties in Chicago and New York City. The W Hotel Brand is part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., Luxury Brand Division. The installations, which are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, come after an extensive test by the W Hotel in Times Square. The systems will be installed throughout the public common areas of the hotels and will replace traditional MR-16 halogen lamps. “All told,...

Window Film is ‘Clear’ Choice for Owners Interested in Saving Energy

NATIONAL REPORT—No matter what size your facility is, chances are great that it can benefit from the latest window film advancements. In fact, some window films can help generate up to 30 percent savings in heating and cooling costs. Once questioned because of stories about bubbling or fading—mostly untrue according to experts—window film today is a reliable product that can provide many benefits. “Window film saves everybody money,” says Jeff Cohen, owner of Kustom Options, a window film installer based in Murrieta, Calif. The first benefit is energy savings. Window film, typically installed on the inside of window glass, rejects heat,...

Portland’s Heathman Hotel Recognized for Green Efforts

PORTLAND, ORE.—The historic Heathman Hotel, Portland’s premier, full-service luxury hotel, was recognized by PacifiCorp recently for its efforts toward becoming a green hotel. PacifiCorp honored the Heathman as well as 14 other Oregon businesses that have worked with Energy Trust of Oregon on increasing energy efficiency and committing to sustainable practices. PacifiCorp (known as Pacific Power in Oregon) hosted approximately 100 Portland-area CEOs from their service territory in Oregon. Among the notable list of speakers talking about the future of energy were: Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power; Greg Abel, chairman and CEO of PacifiCorp and president of Mid American...

Green Lodging News Adds Green Suites Case Study to Website

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Green Lodging News has added its second case study to its new Vendor Case Studies section. The case study focuses on the Best Western Executive Inn and Best Western Loyal Inn, both in Seattle, and how they have successfully implemented Upland, Calif.-based Green Suites International’s EcoRoom® program. EcoRooms® feature more than a dozen different environmental products. They include: compact fluorescent light bulbs; low-flow showerheads and sink faucets; nightlights; digital thermostats; non-toxic cleaning chemicals; Nature’s Mist deodorizer; a linen reuse program; and lotion and liquid soap products dispensed from refillable containers in the shower and at the sink. A pre-installation analysis...

California Hoteliers Have Much to Gain from LodgingSavers Program

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK—California’s LodgingSavers program is going strong after just one year in operation. Introduced at last fall’s California Lodging Expo, it now has approximately 150 participants, including several properties in Yosemite National Park that are managed by Delaware North Companies (DNC). LodgingSavers is implemented by Ecology Action, Santa Cruz, Calif., and funded by California utility ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. LodgingSavers is open to properties throughout California that are serviced by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E). According to Aaron Glade, program specialist for Ecology Action, LodgingSavers is attractive to hoteliers because of the...

Excel Dryer Adds Two New Finishes to XLERATOR Hand Dryer Line

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer Inc., a leader in the manufacture of American-made hand dryers, has introduced two new cover finishes to its line of high-speed XLERATOR hand dryers. The new appliance-grade white thermoset bulk molded compound (BMC) is very resistant to vandalism, while the brushed stainless steel finish XLERATOR delivers a distinct, architectural look to restroom interiors. These new options enhance the already extensive XLERATOR line, which includes traditional white, a fingerprint-resistant graphite cover, chrome plated, and custom colors for specific applications. “Our customers have asked for more finishes for our popular XLERATOR hand dyers, and we’e delivered,” says Denis...

INNCOM Changes Green Button Name on Digital Thermostat

NIANTIC, CONN.—INNCOM International Inc. officially changed the name of its Green Button option—featured on the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat—from ENVIRO-MODE to ecoMODE. The new name was selected to better reflect the feature’s eco-friendly functionality and makes it more recognizable as “green” to those seeking environmentally friendly solutions. With the simple push of a green button on the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat, guests can make the choice to participate in a host of environmentally-friendly and energy-saving programs predetermined by the hotel. The new ecoMODE will be showcased in booth number 3232 at the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show, to be held...

Amerlux Introduces Profilo Compact T5/T5HO Fluorescent Lighting System

FAIRFIELD, N.J.—Amerlux Lighting Solutions introduces Profilo, a new family of compact T5/T5HO fluorescent luminaires. Designed for ambient and display lighting applications in hotels, restaurants and resorts, Profilo utilizes the latest in compact fluorescent lamps and electronic ballast technology. Adding to Amerlux’s EcoTectural product line, Profilo continues its major commitment to facilitate sustainable strategies recognized by organizations such as the U.S Green Building Council. Compact in size, the Profilo is constructed with a one-piece extruded aluminum housing and features a drawer latching system that provides clean joints in continuous row-mounting applications. Aircraft cable suspension in 4-foot or 8-foot lengths are standard....