BOSTON—Spend some time chatting with Brian Gorski, director of engineering at the 498-room Hyatt Regency Boston and you will quickly understand how the all-electric hotel has been able to slice its annual power consumption by a whopping 42 percent—from 12.3 million kilowatt hours of usage per year to 7.1 million. The drop in energy consumption did not happen in just one year but over a time period of approximately 10 to 12 years when approximately $3 million was spent on improvements in infrastructure, equipment and other systems to improve energy efficiency. NStar, the Massachusetts-based, investor-owned electric and gas utility,...

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL—Phoebus Energy, developer of the Hybrid Water Heating System, launches its expansion into the hotel industry with successful installations at Hagoshrim and Inbal Hotels in Israel. Hotels and resorts consume large amounts of fossil fuel to heat water for showers, space heating and swimming pools. Fossil fuel costs represent a significant percentage of the total energy expenses at hotels and are extremely volatile. The Hybrid Water Heating System packages modern heat pump technology with intelligent Web-based monitoring and control software. The Phoebus Energy solution reduces fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions while significantly reducing energy costs at hotel facilities. “The...

NIANTIC, CONN.—The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is one the first properties in Connecticut to be certified for a new program that allows hotels, motels and other lodging owners to market their businesses as “green” in order to protect the environment. Installing the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat with ecoMODE from INNCOM International Inc. played a big role in helping the premiere four diamond waterfront New England inn and spa to achieve “Connecticut Green Lodging—Accommodating You and Our Environment” status. The Connecticut Green Lodging program is a joint effort of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Connecticut Commission...

NATIONAL REPORT—Fuel cell power systems, installed at properties such as the Hilton New York, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, and Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, have worked reliably for years now but have failed to catch on in a big way throughout the lodging industry. Cost and availability of funding have certainly been reasons and the recent recession certainly has not helped. A lack of a serious marketing push by suppliers has contributed to the technology’s slow acceptance and systems have also not been available for smaller hotels. Some recent developments, however, could make fuel cells a more...

RICHMOND, CALIF.—SunWater Solar, one of the only companies in California that specializes in solar thermal technology, released a new video: “Solar Hot Water Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.” This five-minute video is an excellent source of information for anyone looking to learn more about solar thermal, an efficient, low cost, renewable energy source. “Solar Hot Water Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” provides an overview of solar thermal technology and its history, benefits and applications. The video is narrated by SunWater Solar’s executive team. Loaded with insightful commentary and high-quality footage of solar thermal systems in...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Control4 as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Control4 delivers a personalized experience for guests with control of lighting, drapes, TV, stereo, thermostat and more through a single remote control. Property managers can configure and update rooms remotely, and centrally manage energy usage. Control4’s Suite System utilizes wired IP and wireless ZigBee technology to save money and construction costs. Currently, Control4 Suite Systems are being implemented in projects from Las Vegas to London. At the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter in Las Vegas, the property collaborated...

ZIONSVILLE, IND.—FANIMATION unveils The Inlet, an Energy Star-rated ceiling fan with energy efficient compact fluorescent lighting. The Inlet is a sleek and functional, close-to-the-ceiling mounted fan that is available in Oil-rubbed Bronze and Satin Nickel finishes with an Opal Frosted glass lighting fixture. Reversible Cherry/Walnut blades are included and available with Cherry and Walnut finished woven housing accessories. The fan has a 52-inch blade sweep while optional blade sets offer a 42-inch blade pitch. Ideal for installations on lower ceilings, The Inlet is flush mounted at a distance of 8 3/8 inches from the ceiling, with a total height...

MILWAUKEE, WIS.—Telkonet, Inc. announced that the SmartEnergy system has been chosen as a component of a utility rebate and incentive program administered by Conservation Services Group, Inc. The Premium Efficiency Cooling Program will provide incentives to participating contractors and lodging properties to install Telkonet SmartEnergy on heating and cooling equipment in the greater San Diego County area and in limited areas in southern Orange County. With typical HVAC run time savings of 30 percent, hotel and motel operators can reduce energy costs, advance green initiatives, and improve guest comfort with Telkonet’s energy management controllers and occupancy sensors. The Premium Efficiency...

NEWPORT, ORE.—One of Oregon’s greenest inns—The Viking’s Greenstone Inn—is just days away from its May 21 opening. Located in Newport within steps of the Pacific Ocean, the 20-room inn features solar panels positioned on a recyclable metal roof, a waste water heat recovery system, a series of seven on-demand water heaters, a key card-based guestroom energy management system, and carpeting made from recycled materials. According to Brendan Carmody, who owns the inn along with Bonnie, his wife, there are plans to add a charging station for electric vehicles toward the end of this year. The owners also intend to...

ROSWELL, GA.—Dectron Inc., a leading international manufacturer of indoor air quality equipment, introduces the DRY-O-TRON DSV Series, an energy-efficient dehumidifier designed for light commercial and residential indoor pool and spa areas. Besides Dectron’s signature feature of heat recovery for free pool water heating, the new DSV Series includes green features such as a variable frequency drive (VFD) controlled plenum fans, optional electronically-commutated motors (ECM), micro channel condensing coils, and the energy-saving Supervisaire controller. Additionally, DSV offers engineers and contractors a choice of three environmentally-friendly refrigerants: R-134a, R-407C or R-410A. “The new DSV is state-of-the-art energy efficiency and total designer indoor air...