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

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

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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 energy conservation that hoteliers are now less afraid that guests will react negatively to the keycard systems,” says David Donaldson, vice president of Grosse Pointe, Mich.-based DBS Lodging Technologies, maker of a Master Entry Wall Control Switch that is the main device for its keycard-based Entergize Energy Control System.

How do keycard systems work? In many hotels outside the United States, a keycard is inserted into a master control switch upon entry into the guestroom. That insertion activates all the power in the room—for lighting, HVAC, TV, etc. As long as the keycard remains in the control switch slot, the power remains on. As the guest leaves the room, the keycard is removed, which turns the power off.

Entergize System Incorporates RF Technology

Keycard systems are available that are more sophisticated than the system described above. With DBS’ wireless Entergize system, for example, keycard insertion triggers a radio frequency (RF) transmitter that sets the entire room’s (or multiple areas if it is a suite) electrical system to “occupied” mode, activating the power to the controlled switches, outlets, thermostat and sliding door sensor.

The guest is in control of the room except for the “occupied” temperature limits that are programmed by the owner. Using these systems, one can leave power on in certain areas (for an alarm clock, for example). The thermostat and its controller ensure that the HVAC system does not shut down entirely once the keycard is removed. It performs an intelligent setback to the HVAC to an energy conserving temperature that is programmable by the hotel. DBS says the system will reduce in-room energy consumption by 30 to 45 percent.

Four years ago, the 616-room Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh installed such a keycard system. It fit in with the mindset of the hotel/convention center complex of which the hotel is a part. (Pittsburgh’s David L. Lawrence Convention Center has earned a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.) The Westin hotel invested $120,000 in its keycard system and recovered its investment through energy savings in just 10 months. Energy consumption dropped from 20 million kWh in 2003 to 18,000,600 in 2004.

“We estimate an energy savings of about 25 percent a year,” says Mike Morasca, direction of engineering at the hotel. “The engineers like it because it eliminates a lot of the heating and cooling system calls.”

“The system works quite well, as long as we do the guest education up front,” adds Thomas Martini, general manager. “International travelers understand the system and know how to use it right away.”

High Guest Participation Rate

When a guest enters a room at the Westin, the keycard activates the entry light switch, the bathroom light, a pole light and HVAC system. DBS’ Donaldson says about 5 percent of guests will work around the system by leaving an extra key in the switch. However, the overall energy savings are still significant because the other 95 percent work with the system.

The 738-room Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., uses a keycard system in hundreds of its rooms. Also in Wisconsin, The Holiday Inn and Suites in Madison has implemented a keycard system in its 157 guestrooms. That hotel worked with Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program and took advantage of incentives to reduce costs. A $75 per guestroom rebate is available to Wisconsin hotels that install a guestroom energy management system.

Donaldson says his company, which is also beginning to sell the more commonly used passive infrared type of guestroom energy management system, has installed its wireless Entergize system in about 10,000 hotel rooms. He expects that number to grow to 25,000 in another year.

Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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