In todays strenuous economic conditions, hotels are looking for every advantage to increase occupancy and lower operating expenses. Fortunately, there is a program that can help do both.
In todaysstrenuous economic conditions, hotels are looking for every advantage toincrease occupancy and lower operating expenses. Fortunately, there is aprogram that can help do both. The U.S. EPAs EnergyStarLabeling program for hospitality buildings offers solutions to property ownersto find hidden operational cost savings and unlock energy efficiency throughoutthe property. In addition, since EnergyStaris the most recognized eco-label by environmentally conscious consumers,it provides positive connection to the traveling public.
Energy Efficiency = Cost $avings
U.S. hotels spend close to $4 billion on energy every year.
A 10 % reduction in energy costs is equivalent to increasing ADR by$0.83 for limited service hotels and by $2.45 for full-service hotels.
Hotels and motels spend an average of$2,196 per available room each year on energy, an amount that represents about6 percent of all hotel operating costs
Hotels can dramaticallyimprove energy performance and thus operating costs with simple steps that willleave additional capital to invest in further property improvements. Inaddition to delivering financial savings, cost reductions through energy efficiency translateinto greater profitability for hotel owners.
Increased Recognition = AdditionalRevenue
Leading online travel companies, Travelocity (GreenDirectory) and Orbitz (Eco-Toursim Travel Guide), enhanced their online hotellisting to allow travelers to easily identify properties that have earned the EnergyStar Label.
Leading hotel corporations are takingadvantage of the cost savings found within the program. Hilton Hotels earnedthe EPAs EnergyStar Award forExcellence in Energy Management and ties their hotel general managers' annual bonuses to energy performance. By meetingHilton's goal of reducing energy consumption by 5% for every owned hotel, amanager's annual bonus was increased. This resulted in almost every propertymeeting the goal. Marriott has over 275 hotels with its EnergyStarlabel, more than any other hotel company. The US EPA also presented Marriottwith its EnergyStar SustainedExcellence Award and has named the company Partner of the Year since2004.
Currently there are 415 labeled green hotels: which represents 4% of the total labeledbuildings in the US.(see figure 1).
Less than 1% of all of the 47,000US hotels are Energy Star Labeled,which means yours can stand-alone in its local market. EcoGreenHotel can assist your propertyachieve the EnergyStar Labelthrough its onsite Energy Efficiency Analysis and EnergyStar benchmarking and labeling services. http://www.ecogreenhotel.com/energystarbenchmarking.php
About EcoGreenHotel
EcoGreenHotelis a company dedicated to helping lodging facilities address energy andenvironmental solutions. Sustainability services are strategically designed tohelp hotels identify incentives, rebates, and grants to allocate toward energyefficient solutions to decrease energy costs and achieve the Triple BottomLine. EcoGreenHotel also offers Energy Star Benchmarking and Energy EfficiencyAnalysis. For further information visit www.EcoGreenHotel.comor call 888.229.0213.
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