Holiday Inn North Vancouver Reduces Energy Costs and environmental Impact with Energex

New in-room system reduces energy use by 18%, and improves staff productivity and guests' comfort

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. October 14, 2008

VANCOUVER, May 5, 2006. Though winning numerous awards for service excellence every year since opening in May 2000, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites North Vancouver still strives to improve. Yet, one wouldn't typically think of addressing energy consumption as a way to do this.

Indeed, the hotel's latest venture was to install Canada's first in-room energy management system from B.C-based Energex Inc. In a little over a year, the system has not only reduced the hotel's electricity bills, but also its environmental impact and improved guests' comfort through making heating and cooling more 'intelligent'.

According to General Manager Charmaine Alam, spiraling energy costs, compounded by seasonal traffic and guests who often leave appliances on, was pressuring the hotel's energy management.

Enter a new technology system, developed by Energex, that specifically helps manage the energy consumption of large complexes - and which is also gaining a strong foothold among leading hotel brands such as Hilton, Sandman, Radisson, Sheraton and Warwick International.

This innovative new technology features occupancy sensors that automatically monitor and adjust individual room temperatures. For example, a sensor will automatically lower the room temperature to 'economy' mode when no guests are detected, then back to the most comfortable temperature upon their return.

The reasoning is simple - lights, TVs and HVAC systems running in empty rooms needlessly can cost hotels as much as 20 percent of their entire electricity budgets.

"We were motivated to investigate things further after hearing about Energex and its in-room system," said Ms Alam. "The prospect of being able to significantly reduce our energy costs was naturally highly attractive. But above all, whatever system we chose had to be flexible and 'invisible' to our guests."

The solution:

After a three-year evaluation and assessment, the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites North Vancouver chose Energex to deploy Canada's first guestroom intelligent energy management system.

Energex's RK410 sensors were quickly installed in all 162 guestrooms, with minimal disruption and visual impact on room d'ecor. All rooms were fully functional by November 2004.

"Our energy management is now so much simpler. We don't have to worry about always sending staff to turn down the heat, or having guests check-in to a cold room," said Ms Alam.

"The system just knows the optimum temperature and will regulate it accordingly. It happens all year long, as the system will compensate even for a particularly hot or cold day."

The environmental aspect of significantly reducing energy consumption wasn't lost on Ms Alam either. "As a hotel group, we consider many different options that are environmentally friendly and as a whole want to do our part.

"I consider the Energex system to fall into this same category - in the way we also participate in the 'Project Planet' program, have recycling bins in each room and have a conservation program for laundering linens. It was definitely an added benefit that helped us choose the partner we did."

Results:

In place for just over a year, Energex's intelligent energy management system has so far saved the hotel (adjusted to occupancy levels and temperature variations) around $16,000 a year and reduced its energy consumption by almost a third (28%).

Furthermore, because the system helps reduce environmental impact, the hotel was qualified to receive rebates from Natural Resources Canada for the installation's initial cost outlay. All in all, the system paid for itself within 14 months and has already reaped an 83% return on investment.

The hotel can achieve additional long-term benefits through heating and air conditioning equipment's reduced maintenance, wear and tear, noise build up and guestroom humidity levels. Overall, the system can help extend the life of expensive HVAC equipment by up to three years.

"Overall, we've been highly impressed with Energex's professionalism and service commitment, as well as the energy efficiencies," said Ms Alam.

Rami Belson, CEO, Energex Inc, said: "Working with industry leaders like the Holiday Inn North Vancouver is a testament to the results our technology can bring. Really, our system is all about providing hotel managers with peace of mind for themselves and for their guests."

Ms Alam also mentioned an unexpected bonus - eliminating guest complaints relating to room temperatures, which previously meant dispatching staff to solve the problem.

"Since the system was installed, we've had virtually no complaints about rooms being too hot or too cold when people arrive or return after a day out and about. This is great as it means my staff can concentrate on more effective ways of serving them," she said.

"Given that sixty percent have stayed before, and seventy percent of new guests come through recommendations, ensuring people enjoy their stay and then tell others about it is important to us and makes business sense," she concluded.

The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites North Vancouver joins nearly 100 other properties in 11 countries that have adopted Energex's energy management technology.

Further applications:

Energex's system also has the ability to use the sensors to report room occupancy status to hotel staff members, in real time, via wireless handhelds.

Housekeepers and maintenance personnel can avoid knocking on doors and disturbing occupied rooms unnecessarily, as well as direct workflow around the guests' comings and goings much more efficiently.

This aspect of the system is currently being rolled out throughout the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites North Vancouver and is within the testing phase.

The Energex system's flexibility means it can be extended and used in many different ways. Further potential benefits to Energex's in-room sensors are that they can alert hotels to unusual or fraudulent occupancy, as well as facilitate a quicker evacuation during an emergency situation by alerting security personnel to people's presence.

About Energex

Energex is a Vancouver BC based developer and manufacture of advanced energy, information and security solutions for the hospitality industry. Established in 1992, Energex offers a broad level of technologies including design, integration and implementation worldwide.