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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.

Energy Star Specifications Now Available for Dishwashers, Ice Machines

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The EPA has announced new specifications for two new commercial food service products—dishwashers and ice machines—that will earn the Energy Star label. More efficient commercial kitchen equipment can save restaurants and food service facilities from 10 to 30 percent on commercial kitchen energy consumption. “Energy efficiency is a top priority among restaurant owners and operators,” says Bob Meyers, EPA’s principal deputy assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. “We are pleased to deliver more options to save on energy costs and help protect the environment through two new commercial food service products earning the Energy Star.” The specifications cover several...

Watt Stopper/Legrand Launches e-Book Catalog

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—Watt Stopper/Legrand has created an e-Book encompassing its 2007/2008 Product Selection Guide. The convenient e-Book format gives customers quick and easy access to comprehensive information about energy-saving lighting controls. Specifiers, contractors and others are encouraged to tap this new resource for design and application guidelines as well as data on Watt Stopper/Legrand’s full line of products including occupancy sensors, lighting control panels, daylighting controls and more. The e-Book provides faster access to a large volume of information than alternative formats like Web pages or downloadable PDF files. Navigation is simple and each catalog section can be immediately accessed...

Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa Completes Rooftop Solar Project

AMERICAN CANYON, CALIF.—Gaia Napa Valley Hotel and Spa—the United States’ first and only LEED Gold-certified hotel—has commissioned a 36-kilowatt solar project that produces electricity to help run the hotel. The system is projected to meet approximately 12 percent of the hotel’s annual energy needs and contributed two points toward the hotel’s LEED Gold certification. An energy-usage panel in the hotel’s lobby shows exactly how much power is being generated by the solar system—and how much energy is being used by the hotel, minute by minute. The Gaia project will generate 49,000 kWh of clean renewable energy annually, reflecting the priority that...

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay Wins Award for Energy Efficiency

GREEN BAY, WISC.—Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay has received the Focus on Energy Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency for the implementation of innovative energy efficiency projects within its business. With the help of Focus on Energy’s Commercial Sector, part of Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay made a number of energy efficiency improvements including installing compact fluorescent light bulbs, guestroom energy management controls and energy-efficient air-conditioning units. In total, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay saved more than $60,000 in energy costs. Since starting its working relationship with...

Two Key West Resorts Earn Green Lodging Certification

KEY WEST, FLA.—The Banyan Resort and the Gardens Hotel last week became the Florida Keys’ first certified members of the Green Lodging Program, created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to recognize and reward environmentally conscious lodging facilities in the state. The two Old Town Key West properties were awarded “one palm” certification for their environmental commitment in ceremonies attended by State Representative Ron Saunders, Key West Mayor Morgan McPherson, Stacey Mitchell, director of sales for the Monroe County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Laura Comer and Gus Rios of the DEP. “These businesses are stepping up to recognize...

Maple Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast Takes Energy Conservation to Heart

HALLOWELL, MAINE—The Maple Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast, located on 130 acres not far from Maine’s capital building, has earned a reputation as an environmental leader and deservedly so. Even though the property has just eight guestrooms, it is home to Maine’s largest solar array, has its own wind turbine, and was the first property in the state to receive Green Lodging Inn Certification from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Scott Cowger and Vincent Hannan are co-owners of the property and have owned it for 15 years. The investments they have made in the bed and breakfast primarily have...

Paradise Bay Resort & Spa Now Offering ‘Carbon Free’ Vacations

LA TANTE, ST. DAVID’S, GRENADA—The recently opened Paradise Bay Resort & Spa in Grenada, Eastern Caribbean will buy carbon certificates to compensate the CO2 emissions from guest’s flights, as well as the transport on the islands. Guests do not need to sign in for this or pay extra; it is an automatic, externally audited program valid for all guests. Resort prices have not been increased because of this. “We expect the extra costs for this Carbon Free Vacation approach will be compensated by higher guest loyalty,” says James Post, owner. Paradise Bay Resort & Spa is the first resort in the...

Carrier Traveling Showcase Highlights Advanced Indoor Air Comfort Technologies

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—The most recent advances in environmentally sound and energy-efficient commercial indoor air comfort technologies from Carrier Corp. are featured in a new traveling exhibit. Carrier is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. The Carrier Traveling Showcase is available for viewing exclusively through Carrier authorized sales locations. The 51-foot, 18-wheel trailer transforms into a living laboratory featuring a variety of the latest Carrier commercial product technologies: the Carrier Evergreen 23XRV variable speed screw chiller; the Carrier AERO Air Handling units; the Carrier Microchannel Heat Exchanger; the Carrier Centurion rooftop cooling units; and the Carrier 3V and i-Vu control systems. “The...

Keycard-Based Energy Management Systems Gain Acceptance in U.S.

NATIONAL REPORT—Guestroom energy management systems that use keycards to activate or deactivate electrical power in the guestroom are very common in Europe and Asia. In the United States, however, acceptance of these types of systems has been slow and they are almost never found in hotels. However, with increasing concern about climate change, saving energy and cost cutting, this is beginning to change. Properties representing brands such as Kalahari Resorts, Orchard Garden, Embassy Suites, Westin, Holiday Inn and others are finding that keycard-based systems are not so bad after all. “Over the last year, there has been so much play about...

Perlick Celebrates Anniversary with Energy Star Savings

MILWAUKEE, WISC.—Perlick Corp., celebrating its 90th anniversary, announced that it has surpassed Energy Star standards by an average of 23.7 percent on its products receiving the Energy Star award. Perlick is a maker of under-bar equipment, refrigeration equipment and beer system packages that optimize energy use. “According to Energy Star, when you compare standard models to Energy Star models, Energy Star commercial solid door refrigerators and freezers can lead to energy savings of as much as 45 percent, says Scott Ehaney, project engineer. “Our best model is the R24 Front Load Refrigerator which surpasses the Energy Star standard by 64.4...