April 22, 2016

Dear Boston Green Tourism Members,

Happy Earth Day!

Our next meeting will be Thursday April 28, from 3:00 to 4:30  at Mandarin Oriental Boston in the Beijing Room, Arcade level. (This meeting is a departure from our usual 2:30 start time.)  
   
I thank our hosts: Ed Dustin and Alain Negueloua.
 
I hope you can come!
 
Dan 
credit_ luxurystnd.com
 
 
SPEAKERS
Edward Dustin, Engineering Director, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group  
Andrew CoffinBuilding Automation Energy Specialist, Siemens Infrastructure and CitiesBuilding Technologies Division

Mandarin Oriental Boston is installing Siemens' new Demand Flow chilled water optimization system. Mr. Dustin will talk about why the hotel is investing in this project. Mr. Coffin will describe the system, its advantages and the 
characteristics of hotels that can benefit by installing it.  

Hotel chilled water plants often operate year-round to meet guest desires for 
either heating or cooling at any time.  This results in long run-hours at inefficient 
operating conditions, and high energy costs.  

Demand Flow improves operational efficiency, reduces equipment wear, 
maximizes available chiller plant capacity and reduces chilled water system 
operating costs by 20-45%.  



Ray Burger, Founder and President, Pineapple Hospitality Inc.
Ken Haworth, CEOAquamenities
Raymond Ferretti, Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Development, Marietta Hospitality

Until recently, amenity fixtures and products had been used mostly by independent hotels. Now, they're becoming common in chain hotels, from
budget to luxurybecause new models are attractive, cut costs, reduce waste 
and save time. 

Mr. Burger, Mr. Haworth and Mr. Ferretti will discuss the current state of the market and how amenity fixtures and products can benefit Boston
hotels.







Eric SzulakLead Sales Representative, Commercial Sales, National Grid 

Mr. Szulak will review changes to the 2016 MA Natural Gas Energy Efficiency Incentive Program and discuss some of the most applicable measures for the hotel industry.  

He will also discuss recent, impressive Boston hotel energy efficiency projects.





IDEAS
Two SHG hotels, The Lenox and The Comfort Inn & Suites Logan Airport, have committed to reduce their energy use by 20% by 2025, compared to their 2014 baseline. 

They did so by becoming a "partner" in the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge. Other lodging industry partners include Hyatt, IHG, HEI Hotels & Resorts, Marriott , Hilton and Wyndham.

Partners pledge publicly to improve the energy intensity (energy use per square foot) of the their properties by at least 20% in ten years. They also initiate a showcase project within a year (like this one by Columbus Hilton Downtown) that is posted on the Better Buildings website; track their energy progress; and report on it.

Partners network and learn from other hotels, have their questions answered by DOE experts and have access to an account manager who provides resources and guidance.

Whether or not your property becomes a partner, you can use the Better Buildings' Solutions Center that allows users to search the  database of 400+ solutions (partner case studies, best practices, etc). More useful information is on the Better Buildings' Hospitality page. 

I encourage you to consider the Better Buildings Challenge and to use the program's resources.

 
NEWS
Silent Spring Institute, March 23 
credit_ kqed.org

Boston joined the rest of MA and other major U.S. cities by passing a bill amending the city's Fire Prevention Code. The bill allows public buildings with sprinkler systems to use furniture free of  flame retardant chemicals. 

"Studies have linked exposure to flame retardants with cancer, thyroid disruption, low birth weight, lowered IQ, fertility problems, and many other health issues."

Flame retardant chemicals migrate out of furniture into air and dust, rendering indoor air less healthy. Furniture without flame retardants is now readily available.

 
ARTICLES
Textile Reuse and Recycling  
credit_ wellnesswarrior.org
AH&LA website

Hotels often overlook textile reuse and recycling opportunities. Yet, 95% of textiles are reusable or recyclable. Textiles include bed linens, sheets, pillow cases, towels, comforters, blankets, tablecloths, napkins, uniforms and curtains.

The article gives advice about organizing a textile reuse and recycling program, and maximizing the financial benefits.

The Earth 911 website lists Boston areas organizations that take used textiles. 


Jesse Remillard,  Zondits. April 13

This article is about Ilios's natural gas engine-driven heat pump water heaters that are remarkably efficient because they reuse waste heat. A presentation about this product can be found in this recent BGT newsletter.


Richard P. Fennelly, Convenience Store News, October 30
A good program for cleaning cooling appliance coils can sharply reduce energy use and extend equipment life. The author discusses how compressed air can be used with engineered dust containment devices to assure a thorough, yet un-messy job.

 
2016 MEETINGS
The following meeting will be 2:30 to 4:00, except the April 28 meeting, which will be 3:00 to 4:30.

April 28
Mandarin Oriental, Boston

May 26
The Lenox Hotel
June 30
The Langham, Boston

September 8
Boston Park Plaza Hotel
October 13


December 1 
Seaport Hotel

See you April 28 at Mandarin Oriental Boston!
Boston Green Tourism
Phone |Email | Website

Boston Green Tourism | 175 Auburn Street | Newton | MA | 02466