Lodging Project Planning

Contents:

1. Introduction & First Steps
2. Organizations & Programs
3. Materials & Publications
4. Our Tourism Supporting Vendors

Introduction & First Steps

 
Lodging businesses have unique challenges and opportunities in energy efficiency. CERTs recognizes how lodging businesses are well-positioned to make meaningful gains by saving energy.

• It all adds up: When applying energy efficiency strategies across several units in a hotel, bed and breakfast, or campground, enjoy bulk-rates and multiplied savings.
  
  
• The flip-side of occupancy rates: Engage guests when they are in the room, and bring the energy use way down when they are away, to garner savings every day.
  
  
• Build up your natural assets: Energy savings have a direct and positive impact on our lakes, rivers, and in turn, forests, prairies, and wetlands…your main attractions!
  
  
• The Green Guest: Lodging has always been about the quality of their stay, and today, customers know that quality goes beyond the guest room when their stay is sustainable.

CERTs has compiled the three top energy efficiency and conservation strategies for the following categories, including upfront cost, annual savings, and links to vendors:

• Water Conservation – Information on high-efficiency shower heads, aerators, and low-flow toilets
• Lighting and Electricity – Information on efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, and VendingMisers
• Guest Engagement – Information on engaging guests with recycling, towel reuse, and turning off the lights

Organizations & Programs

• University of Minnesota Tourism Center – A resource for education and research for the sustainability and success of the tourism industry in Minnesota and beyond
  
  
• Sustainable Tourism Reports – A host of resources provided by the UMN Tourism Center for sustainable programs, planning, and implementation
  
  
• MN Bed and Breakfast Association: Green Journey Inns – A self-certification sustainable tourism program that recognizes member inns who are making a commitment to be good environmental stewards
  
  
• Explore MN Tourism – Green Travel – A site promoting green travel by Explore MN Tourism, highlighting trip ideas and eco-interesting destinations

Materials & Publications

If you’re exploring efficient lighting, read the CERTs Lighting Guide to learn more about how different lighting temperature can cause the room or environment it is in to look differently.

CERTs has also compiled the following resources specifically on guest engagement and sustainable behavior:

• The Research Behind Guest Behavior – Clean Energy Resource Teams
  A summary by CERTs on how behavioral psychology research can help hotels build successful sustainability campaigns
  
  
• Messaging Guide for Guest Behavior Change – Clean Energy Resource Teams
  A quick guide of messaging tips based on behavioral psychology research for recycling, towel reuse, and turning off the lights
  
  
• Invoking Social Norms – Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly
  A social psychology perspective on improving hotels’ linen-reuse programs
  
  
• Lighting Savings in Hotel Guestrooms – National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  Results from a research study at the Redondo Beach Crowne Plaza

Our Tourism Supporting Vendors

 
These vendors presented with CERTs at the 2011 Explore MN Tourism Conference.
 

EnergyMisers, LLC – EnergyMisers implements energy conservation solutions that control energy consumption in the following areas: Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Professional Kitchen Vent Hood Controls, Lighting, Water Heating, Water Consumption, and Business Equipment Energy Controls (e.g. Guest Management systems for lodging facilities).

Bill Bieganek, Owner
EnergyMisers, LLC
509 West Second Street
Waconia, MN 55387-1210
Phone: (952) 548-1025
Toll Free: (888) 548-1025
Email: bill@energymisers.biz
Website: energymisers.biz
 

Creative Energy – Creative Energy provides energy auditing and consulting for commercial and residential energy efficiency. Sarah Hayden is a BPI Certified Building analyst, a HERS Rater, and a MN Certified Energy Auditor. She is the Proprietor of the business Creative Energy Services based out of Brainerd, MN. She relies on her background in energy research and the building trades to provide home energy audits, commercial and residential energy efficiency consultation, and new construction HERS ratings throughout Central MN. Sarah recently presented on energy audits and energy efficiency at a cabin at Madden’s Resort.

Sarah Hayden, Owner and Energy Auditor
Creative Energy
517 N. 9th St
Brainerd MN 56401
Phone: 218-760-6837
Email: sarah@creative-energy.net
Website: creative-energy.net
 

Grand View Lodge – A special thanks to Jim Benson, Director of Operations at Grand View Lodge for sharing what the Lodge is doing to save energy and conserve water. Jim has spent the last 25+ years in the Resorting Business. Grand View Lodge has convened a Green Committee to oversee what they can do as a company in energy efficiency and conservation. Jim has been navigating the implementation of energy opportunities that both provide accommodation to guests and bolster the bottom line; while maintaining the historic charm of a 90 year old resort property.

Jim Benson, Director of Operations
Grand View Lodge
23521 Nokomis Avenue
Nisswa, Minnesota 56468
Phone: 218-963-8704
Email: jim.benson@grandviewlodge.com
Website: grandviewlodge.com