Blog Assignment # 4

Managing Energy in a Volatile Environment
By: Geoff Griswold
Hospitality Upgrade Magazine
http://www.hospitalityupgrade.com/_magazine/magazine_Detail.asp?ID=62

High energy costs are dramatically influencing hotelier’s costs, especially where electricity and natural gas are concerned. Deregulation was expected to stimulate competition and thus lower prices of electricity and gas, but costs have actually increased in deregulated markets. Hoteliers are now forced to hire energy consultants and brokers to deal with lengthy buying procedures and financial contracts. Despite these drawbacks, hotels still need to “conserve resources and manage energy costs.” It is rather disappointing to know that energy costs may never decrease to an affordable price; however hoteliers who make a genuine effort to conserve energy despite the cost factor do not go unrecognized. “EnergyStar is a voluntary government/business partnership that offers energy-efficient solutions to conserve resources and protect the environment.” Initially EnergyStar was a labeling system that promoted energy efficient computers and monitors. Now the program has grown to include office equipment, heating/cooling equipment, major appliances, lighting, home electronics, new homes and even hotels. For hotels, the EPA established a rating system, from 1 – 100, which allows hotels to compare their energy usage with others around the country. Going through an extensive process, once a hotel reaches a rating of 75, they are awarded the EnergyStar. Even if hotels do not join EnergyStar, numerous vendors offer products and technology that can effectively help hotels manage their energy costs. Some of the vendors are described below:

Energy Eye: standalone, wireless radio frequency devices; manage room temperature, ventilation and air conditioning; an infrared motion detector identifies movement in the room; a micro door sensor determines if the door has been opened; communicates with the HVAC system

Lodging Technology: infrared-base system that detects body heat accurately to eliminate the chance of false detection picked up by other motion sensors; can have separate inputs for the HVAC system if a balcony door is opened versus the main door; hand-held scanner which allows hotel staff to determine if a room is occupied, without disturbing the guest

Energex Inc.: provide digital thermostats; interface with any HVAC control system; “Web-based room status display as part of real time occupancy reporting”; handheld wands to determine room status without knocking on the door

Reflection:

Because part of my contribution to the SDP project is energy management, I found this article to be very interesting. I was not aware of the extent of high energy costs that hotels face. However, it is great to see that many hotels are taking the opportunity to conserve energy resources either by joining the EnergyStar program or by other control methods. I knew that energy costs were increasing and that guest comfort was a sensitive subject, but I didn’t realize how easily it could be controlled through the energy management systems listed in the article. Of all the vendor products described, the one that surprised me the most was provided by two vendors - the hand-held scanners/wands. They allow hotel staff to determine room-occupancy without touching the door and/or interrupting the guest. Although the product seems fascinating, I do find it a little creepy. What would you think if you walked out of your room to find a hotel employee pointing a wand at your door to see if you were inside? Yes, it may only take a second to determine the status, but to me it is a little weird. I also find the infrared motion detectors, although not the newest technology on the market, to be very helpful in conserving energy when guests are or aren’t in the room. With any luck, all hotels can utilize these systems, distinguish themselves from their competitors and get a return on investment quickly with the purchase of these energy-saving systems.