WASHINGTON, D.C.—Marriott International Inc. announced the winners in the first phase of the company’s Energy and Water Resource Management Contest, open to more than 350 hotels outside of the United States. Marriott challenged these hotels to reduce the percentage of total consumption of energy (kilowatt hours per occupied room) and water usage during a six-month period in 2006 in comparison to the same timeframe in 2005. Creativity, innovation and associate teamwork were vital to the success of the three hotels named as winners of the challenge: the London Marriott County Hall, Renaissance Chemnitz Hotel, and Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa.
Continually striving to be a good steward of the environment through its Environmentally Conscious Hospitality Operations (ECHO) program, Marriott encouraged its hotels to develop innovative ways to reduce total energy and water consumption without sacrificing guest satisfaction. Through the use of new technology, creativity and innovation, the hotels proved that resource conservation and a positive guest experience can go hand in hand.
“Marriott International hotels around the world make every effort to protect and sustain the environment and limit consumption of resources,” says Ed Fuller, president and managing director of international lodging for Marriott International. “We are extremely proud of our hotels that took part in this challenge and look forward to sharing their innovative ideas among colleagues around the world as we strive to improve our environmental performance.”
Second Phase of Contest In Progress
A second phase of the Energy and Water Resource Management Contest is currently underway and the winners will be announced in May, with a grand winner to be announced in April 2008. The three winning hotels implemented a number of creative and simple energy-saving tactics in their mission to reduce energy consumption, setting the standard for conservation efforts worldwide:
The London Marriott County Hall in the United Kingdom took the grand prize by achieving a reduction in kilowatt hours per occupied room by 36.9 percent and water consumption per occupied room by 39.2 percent, while increasing guest satisfaction by 2.5 percent.
• Engineers cleaned not only the filters in the air-conditioning units, but also the coils. This very small action not only improved energy efficiency in the rooms, but also enabled the desired room temperature to be achieved in less time.
• A detailed analysis of air conditioning and heating running times in banquet rooms was conducted, with changes resulting in significant energy savings.
• The hotel increased chilled water temperature in the hotel’s HVAC unit by several degrees in the cooler months.
The Renaissance Chemnitz Hotel in Germany achieved second place with a reduction in kilowatt hours per occupied room by 21.1 percent and water consumption per occupied room by 24.2 percent, while increasing guest satisfaction by 6.1 percent.
• Engineers installed a new high-tech hot and cold water circulating system.
• Water flow reducers were installed in the water pipes rather than on the water taps, resulting in higher water flow efficiency.
• Light bulbs in all halogen lamps were replaced with new energy saving light bulbs.
The Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa in Australia achieved third place with a reduction in kilowatt hours per occupied room by 12.6 percent and water consumption per occupied room by 16.9 percent, while increasing guest satisfaction by 4 percent.
• Engineers installed a Trane Trace Summit chiller plant control system to enable precise control of the chiller pumps and fans.
• A laundry ozone system was installed, resulting in reduced water usage.
• Water flow controllers were installed in all guestroom showers and taps resulting in significant water savings.
Marriott’s ECHO program consists of five main categories: water and energy conservation, clean air initiatives, waste management, clean-up campaigns, and wildlife preservation. With the introduction of ECHO more than a decade ago, Marriott works in partnership with hotel owners and franchisees to implement sustainable environmental practices, which reflect the environmental interests and concerns of its guests, associates, business partners and communities. For more details, visit the Environmental Stewardship page at www.marriott.com.
