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Boston Green Tourism
...advancing the green hotel movement
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Dear Boston Green Tourism Members,
Our next meeting will be Thursday May 26, from 2:30 to 4:00 at the Lenox Hotel in the Heritage Room, floor 2.
I thank our hosts: Daniel Donahue, Tedd Saunders, Scot Hopps and Samantha Sorrin.
The Lenox has earned many green distinctions, including: Travel + Leisure's "The Ultimate Green Hotel," US News and World Report's "1 of the 5 Greenest Luxury Hotels in America," #1 Ranked GreenLeader Boston Hotel on TripAdvisor.com and the WTTC Community Benefit Award.
I hope you can come!
Dan
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Samantha Sorrin, Sustainability Program Coordinator & Executive Assistant
EcoLogical Solutions, Inc.
Mike Carlisle, Director of Food and Beverage, The Lenox Hotel, The Briar Group
The speakers will focus on recent eco-initiatives that are unusual or new for the lodging community. They'll cover a range of topics including sustainable restaurant menus, sustainable food sourcing, composting, energy monitoring, combined heat and power and other projects at The Lenox and the Comfort Inn Revere. The speakers will show us The Lenox's new amenity dispensers, the bicycle helmets that they rent and the electric scooter that they promote.
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Deborah Coppins, Vice President, Window Services, Inc.
Often, refurbishing windows is a smarter option than window replacement. Refurbishing projects typically cost 70% to 80% less than replacement windows, improve functionality, sharply cut air infiltration and trim energy bills.
The speakers will help hoteliers determine whether replacing or refurbishing
commercial windows is the best option for them. They will describe why, when and how hoteliers should consider refurbishing their windows.
 Everybody will come away with a better understanding of how their windows work.
Window Services, Inc. projects include Boston Park Plaza, Fenway Park and many other commercial, college, municipal buildings.
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The process of sensing the cooking environment in kitchen hoods, and controlling the speed of exhaust and make up air, substantially reduces energy costs. Recent advances have improved the process and enable more restaurants to benefit, including those with multiple hoods and only one fan. Mr. Ritzenthaler will also help hotels determine when it's time to upgrade their old systems.
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Sealing Leaky Ducts Improves Ventilation, Air Quality, Energy Efficiency
Leaky ventilation ducts are common in commercial buildings (and homes). A 2015 Building Commissioning Association study found that most engineers, commissioning professionals and facility managers believe that duct leakage is prevalent in commercial buildings, and a significant cause of energy loss.
Leaky ducts reduce pressure within duct systems, requiring fans to work harder. They also reduce HVAC efficiency.
Ventilation system cracks and gaps lead to other problems, too. Buildings can become unbalanced, leaving some areas under-ventilated and others over-ventilated. Indoor air quality can suffer in under-ventilated areas, because odors and moisture are not properly removed and indoor pollutants can accumulate.
For decades, it was difficult to fix leaky ductwork, because much of it was inaccessible. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.) and the EPA, created a method for identifying and fixing leaky ducts that's not very disruptive or expensive.
An aerosol mist is pumped into the ventilation shaft. The mist finds the leaks and seals them. Tests have shown that this process reduces air leakage by about 95%.
The D.O.E. now ranks duct sealing as the third most important HVAC upgrade for commercial buildings.
The patent to this technology is currently owned by a company called Aeroseal, which has dealers nationwide.
The Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort Kentucky used aeroseal to address their issue with cold spots, mold and bathroom ventilation issues. Most important, they avoided the need to replace their HVAC system. The project resulted in a $24,000 / year savings, with a payback period of under two years.
Aeroseal reduced ventilation leaks in Marriott Atlanta Buckhead by 88%. By doing so, they fixed their problem with inadequate exhaust and eliminated their musty smells.
Both hotels stayed open while the projects were underway. Sometimes, Aeroseal works with American Aldes to fix ventilation problems. The aeroseal process seals duct leaks, while American Aldes' Constant Airflow Regulators (CAR's) correct over-ventilation problems. Here is a case study.
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Sheraton Boston Hotel, June 15
Get a Discount Through BGT!
BGT members qualify for a discounted rate to this outstanding event--only $50, if 6 or more of us participate. (The standard fee for Eversource customers is $99, and for general attendees, $500.) To get the discount, contact me by May 27 and I'll submit your name.
This year's event will feature an Energy Savings Walking Tour of Sheraton Boston, led by Jeff Hanulec. Other reasons to attend:
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Seafood Restaurants Cast a Wider Net for Sustainable Fish
Jeff Gordinier, New York Times, December 22
In recent years, many restaurants have expanded their seafood menu to include local fish and fish that aren't endangered. Some also offer invasive species, like Caribbean lionfish.
These establishments help Americans expand their palates from "salmon, tuna, shrimp and cod, much of it endangered and the product of dubious (if not destructive) fishing practices."
Another advantage: less common species are often less expensive.
Hotel Salt Water Pools--Myths Debunked
Blair Hildahl, Hotel Online, March 8
The author reveals that salt water pools do use chlorine--but usually much less than traditional pools. They create chlorine on-site, rather than buying, storing and adding it.
The advantages of salt water pools: less maintenance; the water feels silky; less chlorine means guests' skin and eyes will be less dry; and no chlorine storage means less potential for environmental, health and legal issues.
The drawbacks to salt water pools: they require a capital investment--much of which will be paid back in lower maintenance costs and chemical procurement; the salt water system is more complex and might require professional advice to solve problems; a small risk that the salt could corrode ladders, pool decking and fixtures.
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The following meeting will be 2:30 to 4:00.
May 26
| The Lenox Hotel |
| June 30
| The Langham, Boston
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| September 8
| Boston Park Plaza Hotel |
| October 13
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| December 1
| Seaport Hotel |
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See you May 26 at the Lenox Hotel!
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