Using Technology to reduce Energy Costs
one of the biggest expenses at a hotel
Going green is going Hi Tech. As hoteliers continue to embrace the necessary tools to be good environmental stewards, and of course reduce operating costs, leading hoteliers are forging new ground in how to utilize technology to significantly reduce energy consumption while also weaning themselves off fossil fuels. It’s a one-two punch that is just starting to catch on. And though these pioneers have some major challenges they’re forging the way for industry wide success.
At this year’s Hospitality Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), a session on Greening IT delved into some of the cutting edge ways people are utilizing technology to slash environmental impact.
“It is a tremendous opportunity not only because of where customers want us to be, but because there will be a cost now or later. We need to think about borrowing from the future,” said Daniel Connolly, an associate professor at the University of Denver, who noted that he expects energy costs to continue to rise so it’s best to invent in energy saving technologies presently.
One company that is forging new ground is MTM Luxury Lodging, a management company. Two of its properties have specifically focused on sustainability as a point of differentiation; Bardessono, an “eco-lux” resort in Napa Valley and Seattle’s Hotel 1000.
Quentin Incao, director of operations with MTM Luxury Lodging said green strategies must add to guest experience through a service enhancement while also having a measurable value in cost /benefit and environmental impact. He also noted there are shades of green depending on measures put into place.
At Hotel 1000 they went for a lighter shade of green approach by cutting energy costs by tying the energy management system through the PMS. That way, when a guest checks in a signal is sent to the room to start cooling or warming the guest room. However, they still have to preset the room by leaving lights and the television on (at least its Energy Star compliant, Incao said) to create the appropriate guest arrival experience. When the guest leaves sensors alert the system to allow the energy to go off to a predetermined set back level.
The unique bath tub at Hotel 1000
“We opened in 2006 and studied energy we used over two years. We are saving about 40 percent on this alone. It’s a great start and a huge reason to invest in this upfront,” said Incao noting the saving were about $31,000 and $34,000 during 2007 and 2008.
Bardessono has a darker green approach to sustainability. Guestrooms here have auto controls triggered when a guest enters the room. Lights come on, sunshades rise, the television turns on to a welcome screen, and depending on the time of year the fireplace will light up.
“When you walk in room you can see it happen. It’s a cool experience. And the system will remember how lights are set and if the fireplace is on and will shut down 20 minutes after the guest leaves and come back to the same setting when guest returns.
Solar shades keep the room warm in winter and cool in summer. Incao said these measures and others such as 940 photovoltaic panels on the roof and geothermal heating and cooling were all implemented with the goal of reducing external demand of energy supply to at least half typical use.
And the payback isn’t too bad either. Though the solar panels cost $1.4 million, the state kicked in $454,000 in subsidies as the federal government. Add in local tax credits and the panels cost just $700,000, which will be paid back in savings between six and eight years.
At Xanterra Parks & Resorts, which operate under contract primarily in U.S. national parks, their also trying to eliminate the use of fossil fuels. They use not only solar panels but also biofuels where possible as well as wind power.
At its property in Death Valley, Richard Rabinoff, director of Hospitality technology, Xanterra said they built a solar panel array with 5,040 solar panels making a megawatt of power. Though it cost more than $8 million, the price was offset by incentives and tax credits. “When all said and done it’ll take five years or less payback to the property. Over the expected 25 year life of project we will offset emissions of more than 24,000 tons of dangerous pollutants by producing our own power. Great things are possible when you put your mind to it. Ask what the government can do and most definitely what power companies can do. Without their assistance these projects wouldn’t be possible or have the payback they have.
Source:
Hotel Interactive
Going green is going Hi Tech. As hoteliers continue to embrace the necessary tools to be good environmental stewards, and of course reduce operating costs, leading hoteliers are forging new ground in how to utilize technology to significantly reduce energy consumption while also weaning themselves off fossil fuels. It’s a one-two punch that is just starting to catch on. And though these pioneers have some major challenges they’re forging the way for industry wide success.At this year’s Hospitality Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC), a session on Greening IT delved into some of the cutting edge ways people are utilizing technology to slash environmental impact.
“It is a tremendous opportunity not only because of where customers want us to be, but because there will be a cost now or later. We need to think about borrowing from the future,” said Daniel Connolly, an associate professor at the University of Denver, who noted that he expects energy costs to continue to rise so it’s best to invent in energy saving technologies presently.
One company that is forging new ground is MTM Luxury Lodging, a management company. Two of its properties have specifically focused on sustainability as a point of differentiation; Bardessono, an “eco-lux” resort in Napa Valley and Seattle’s Hotel 1000.
Quentin Incao, director of operations with MTM Luxury Lodging said green strategies must add to guest experience through a service enhancement while also having a measurable value in cost /benefit and environmental impact. He also noted there are shades of green depending on measures put into place.
At Hotel 1000 they went for a lighter shade of green approach by cutting energy costs by tying the energy management system through the PMS. That way, when a guest checks in a signal is sent to the room to start cooling or warming the guest room. However, they still have to preset the room by leaving lights and the television on (at least its Energy Star compliant, Incao said) to create the appropriate guest arrival experience. When the guest leaves sensors alert the system to allow the energy to go off to a predetermined set back level.
The unique bath tub at Hotel 1000
“We opened in 2006 and studied energy we used over two years. We are saving about 40 percent on this alone. It’s a great start and a huge reason to invest in this upfront,” said Incao noting the saving were about $31,000 and $34,000 during 2007 and 2008.
Bardessono has a darker green approach to sustainability. Guestrooms here have auto controls triggered when a guest enters the room. Lights come on, sunshades rise, the television turns on to a welcome screen, and depending on the time of year the fireplace will light up.
“When you walk in room you can see it happen. It’s a cool experience. And the system will remember how lights are set and if the fireplace is on and will shut down 20 minutes after the guest leaves and come back to the same setting when guest returns.
Solar shades keep the room warm in winter and cool in summer. Incao said these measures and others such as 940 photovoltaic panels on the roof and geothermal heating and cooling were all implemented with the goal of reducing external demand of energy supply to at least half typical use.
And the payback isn’t too bad either. Though the solar panels cost $1.4 million, the state kicked in $454,000 in subsidies as the federal government. Add in local tax credits and the panels cost just $700,000, which will be paid back in savings between six and eight years.
At Xanterra Parks & Resorts, which operate under contract primarily in U.S. national parks, their also trying to eliminate the use of fossil fuels. They use not only solar panels but also biofuels where possible as well as wind power.
At its property in Death Valley, Richard Rabinoff, director of Hospitality technology, Xanterra said they built a solar panel array with 5,040 solar panels making a megawatt of power. Though it cost more than $8 million, the price was offset by incentives and tax credits. “When all said and done it’ll take five years or less payback to the property. Over the expected 25 year life of project we will offset emissions of more than 24,000 tons of dangerous pollutants by producing our own power. Great things are possible when you put your mind to it. Ask what the government can do and most definitely what power companies can do. Without their assistance these projects wouldn’t be possible or have the payback they have.
Source:
Hotel Interactive
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