NATIONAL REPORT—Even though energy prices have dropped recently, there is no good reason to put off investing in a guestroom energy management system. It just makes too much sense to have one. With heating and cooling accounting for 40 to 80 percent of a property’s monthly expenses, many systems can cut those costs by 25 to 45 percent.
What is hot in guestroom energy management technology? There really are only a handful of major players in the lodging market. Several of those companies have added wireless options to their wired systems. Others have introduced Web-based interfaces to give users the ability to monitor heating and cooling energy consumption from anywhere. Still others have tied in lighting, door locks, minibars and more.
Before purchasing a guestroom system, be sure to ask vendors if leasing is an option. The savings per month can outweigh the cost, making it a “no brainer.” Also be sure to ask vendors and local utilities about rebate programs that may make energy management systems even less expensive. Below is a rundown (alphabetical by company name) of what some of lodging’s vendors are currently offering.
DBS Technologies, Grosse Pointe, Mich., offers an Entergize Energy Control System. The Master Entry Wall Control Switch is the main control device for the system. As the guest enters the room, he enters his room keycard into the illuminated switch. This triggers an Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter that sets the entire system to “occupied mode.” The guest then has normal control of the room’s electrical and HVAC systems. The Entergize system eliminates the need for sensors to be mounted on the wall or ceiling.
When a guest leaves the room, he takes his keycard from the switch. After a 30-second delay, another RF transmission is sent, setting the system to “unoccupied” mode. In this mode the room’s HVAC system’s operating temperature ranges are set back and the power to the switches and plugs is turned off to reduce energy consumption. DBS is in the process of rolling out another non-keycard system that incorporates passive infrared (PIR) sensor technology.
Energex Inc., Richmond, British Columbia, offers a variety of wired and wireless options that incorporate PIR or ultrasonic sensor technology. Like other systems, the company’s sensors power down heating and cooling equipment after guests leave their rooms. Energex also offers a sliding window or door auto shut-off feature to ensure heating and cooling systems do not run when sliding doors or windows are open.
Energex Energy Management System includes an option for a wireless information and communication network using a Palm Pilot or one’s own P.C. The system allows the building’s staff to know whether a room is occupied in real time, to communicate messages to each other, and to provide “head end control.”
Energy Eye, Rochester, Mich., focuses on providing hoteliers with energy-efficient wireless guest sensor solutions. The Energy Eye System is capable of detecting whether or not a guestroom is occupied through information transmitted to the HVAC Control Module by the company’s PIR Detector and Micro Door Sensor. Energy Eye offers an optional door sensor that will tell an HVAC system to shut off five minutes after a balcony or patio door is left open.
Energy Eye says that because of its Advanced Logic technology, the system will not turn off when a guest is sleeping. This is because the PIR detector only needs to see the occupant enter the room the first time.
Goodman Co. L.P., Houston, recently introduced its wirelessly networked DigiSmart Control System, an operations management tool to be used with its Amana brand PTACs. DigiSmart employs self-configuring, radio frequency (RF)-based wireless mesh technology. To create the mesh, an antenna is plugged into the control board of each PTAC. With the mesh network, one can control and monitor all PTACs from a single control point. The DigiSmart system includes in-room wireless thermostats and occupancy sensors, and a Web-based control platform. Multiple buildings can be networked together via the Internet.
INNCOM International Inc., Niantic, Conn., offers a range of guestroom energy management systems that, when combined, form a backbone for central control of systems such as HVAC, lighting and TVs. INNCOM’s e4 thermostat, when used with a PIR sensor, can reduce guestroom energy costs by 30 percent or more. With an e4 networked to a centrally controlled system, the hotel gains the highest level of energy savings. Installation can be wireless by using INNCOM’s infrared and/or RF technology.
Lodging Technology, Roanoke, Va., the originator of infrared sensor-based hotel energy management, has had a lot of success with its GEM System. It determines the physical presence of guests by detecting infrared body heat. When a guest has left a room for a specified period, the GEM System takes control from the normal thermostat and resets room temperature to energy conserving levels.
The system connects to and reduces consumption on all HVAC systems including PTACs, heat pumps, split systems and fan coil units of any voltage. All wiring (small, four-pair phone cable) for the wired system is hidden. Lodging Technology also sells the GEMLight system to automatically turn off lights in unoccupied areas.
Onity, Norcross, Ga., offer several solutions including the SensorStat DDC, which merges digital temperature control with PIR sensing. The DDC can operate as a stand-alone unit or with Onity’s innPULSE software. The software helps expand in-room guest services into an interactive, online communication network. Via cable TV wiring, hoteliers can monitor HVAC systems. Onity’s SensorStat 2000X utilizes PIR occupancy sensing to reduce energy waste by taking control of the HVAC or thermostat while the room is not occupied and automatically setting the temperature to an optimum energy saving level.
Onity also offers a wireless option. The SensorStat Wireless DDC thermostat control can network with other thermostats to form a network. The wireless network can also tie in the HVAC controller, door/window switches, PIR motion sensors, electronic locks, safes, lighting switches, minibars, and any other device operating on the same RF protocol standard. Networking capability allows a hotel to create a central command station that monitors the status and activity of each device in every room.
Riga Development, Toronto, recently introduced its WiSuite Environmental Management System that uses Ember Corp.’s ZigBee wireless networking technology to let property owners automate and control the energy efficiency of every room. The ZigBee-based WiSuite system automatically self-configures into a wireless mesh network of “WiStat” digital thermostats, appliances and receivers installed throughout a building. The WiStats and other appliance controls monitor the rooms’ environment, reducing energy use in unoccupied rooms, and alerting staff to potential problems.
A WiSuite Control Center, securely accessible from any Web browser, lets facility managers and front desk hotel staff wirelessly control the devices, monitor their status, and set up custom schedules. To completely automate energy savings, WiSuite connects to a hotel’s existing reservation system through the WiSuite Reservations Bridge, enabling it to automatically respond to check-in and check-out dates and times.
Smart Systems International, Las Vegas, offers the SS1000 Smart Energy Controller for PTACs. The SS1000 uses a wireless radio network to communicate with occupancy sensors. When the guestroom is vacant, the SS1000 automatically reduces the energy consumption of the PTAC. In addition, it constantly performs patented scientific calculations to ensure that the comfort temperature is achieved within a specified time frame upon the occupant’s return. The SS1000 works with the SS2000 motion/infrared occupancy sensor. It resembles a smoke detector. The SS5000 thermostat is also part of the overall system.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
