From tom.rhodes at ncmail.net Mon Apr 23 09:30:18 2007 From: tom.rhodes at ncmail.net (Tom Rhodes) Date: Mon Apr 23 08:32:18 2007 Subject: [ncgreenhotels] Guide to green vacations Message-ID: <8D15541F2E16C84B8BE05C60FF5F038901075834@exchange.sys.p2pays.org> Illustrious Green Hotels Colleagues, Here is an interesting guide to green vacation options from Orbits.... Orbitz Adds Microsite to Help Travelers Find Green Vacation Options 04/21/2007 CHICAGO-Orbitz has added an eco-travel microsite to its website. The company's intent is for it to be a comprehensive resource for travelers who want to find everything from eco-friendly hotels to environmental volunteer opportunities. Travelers who visit the Orbitz eco-travel microsite (http://eco.orbitz.com/ ) will have access to the following information and tools: * Articles on eco-travel, how it effects local environments and communities throughout the world, and how everyone can make a positive impact while traveling. Read articles from the experts at Away.com and Gorp.com to expand your knowledge on this important topic. * Top eco-friendly destinations. Editors from Away.com give their top picks for destinations that are doing their part to create a sustainable environment. Learn where to go and what to expect at some amazing eco-friendly destinations around the world. * Top green hotels. Orbitz hotel experts select lodging properties that operate with environmentally-friendly practices and products. From using wind and solar power as energy sources to purchasing only environmentally-friendly products such as green detergents for linens and soaps, these hotels are great options for the environmentally conscious traveler. * Eco volunteer opportunities. Orbitz is linking travelers to the National Park Service volunteer website where they can find rewarding opportunities to become involved in conservation initiatives during their travels. * Eco-travel tips. Making big contributions to the environment on your own can seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of simple things any traveler can do to make a difference when they are on the road. Whether renting a hybrid car or taking a "to go" coffee cup with you, Orbitz gives travelers suggestions for easy things they can do on any trip. Visit us on the Web at: www.p2pays.org Tom Rhodes Environmental Specialist NC WasteTrader.com NC Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance 1639 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 (919) 715-6516 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://kirk.p2pays.org/pipermail/ncgreenhotels/attachments/20070423/22d6ca8f/attachment.htm From tom.rhodes at ncmail.net Mon Apr 23 12:04:27 2007 From: tom.rhodes at ncmail.net (Tom Rhodes) Date: Mon Apr 23 11:04:58 2007 Subject: [ncgreenhotels] Money saving tips Message-ID: <8D15541F2E16C84B8BE05C60FF5F03890107586F@exchange.sys.p2pays.org> Colleagues, Here is a list of money-saving tips from the Green Lodging Newsletter that I thought you'd benefit from. Money-Saving Tips: Energy Management 05/30/2006 * During low occupancy periods, place guests in closely-located guestrooms. * Install energy management systems in guestrooms, meeting rooms and other public spaces. * Hire an energy expert to conduct an audit of your hotel. * Ask your energy providers or local government if they offer any type of incentive program for implementing energy-efficient equipment or processes. * Improperly maintained air handlers can waste up to 32 percent of the energy they consume. Check HVAC controls for proper calibration. * Check all duct work for air leaks and repair where appropriate. Air ducts should be cleaned monthly. * Check all electrical systems for loose connections or poor motor conditions. Without proper preventive maintenance, these systems typically generate a 5 to 10 percent energy loss. * Purchase renewable energy from your local utility. * Shut down office equipment such as photocopiers and computer monitors when not in use. * Explore the purchase of a fuel cell power generator. * Install energy misers on vending machines. * Install thermal-glass windows. * In hotels with whirlpools in use, keep the aerator on only when needed. * Furnaces and boilers should be completely inspected by a professional mechanical contractor at least once or twice a year. * Electric meters should be submetered to make it easy to identify the largest electricity users at the hotel and to recognize problem areas. Set targets for energy consumption per meter. * In swimming pools, remove foreign material from the strainer baskets in the skimmer and pump regularly to maximize water recirculation. * Operate your pool pump during off peak hours. * Implement an employee awareness program and encourage them to report energy waste to managers, maintenance or engineering personnel. * During the winter, ceiling fans should be set to draw air toward the ceiling. * Shut down one or more of your elevators during periods of light traffic. * Program your elevator to remain stationary on the exiting floor rather than returning to the main floor. * Encourage staff to use stairs when moving between one to two floors when not carrying loads. * Install draperies with thermal reflective liners. * Use light-colored reflective surface on roofs. * Tint windows that receive direct sun. * Assign someone to monitor energy consumption on a consistent basis. * Implement a comprehensive preventive maintenance program to monitor all potential areas of energy consumption. * Turn off coffee makers, hair dryers and other appliances or personal electronics while guestrooms are unoccupied. * Put together a written energy management plan. Key components should include energy forecasting and procurement, facility audits, financial analysis, integrated building upgrades, equipment purchasing, new construction and preventive maintenance. * Use adequate amount of insulation in ceilings, exterior and basement walls, flooring and crawl spaces. * Use solar panels to generate electricity. * Purchase minibars that use LED lighting and that incorporate energy-efficient cooling systems. * Metal tile panel roofing systems can help reduce energy costs. Also consider green roof systems that incorporate soil and plants. * Watch for scale build-up in boilers, hot water heaters, cooling towers, humidifiers, washing machines, dishwashers, and shower heads. Hard water that leaves scale build-up results in more energy consumed. Water conditioning can address scale issues. * Contract with an energy monitoring and reporting service to track utility costs and interpret billing trends. * Beware of energy vultures: plugged in appliances, radios, clocks and other items that are on around the clock. * Be cautious of energy remarketers when planning your energy purchasing strategy. Locking in rates can actually eliminate incentives to save energy. * Participate in as many Energy Star programs as possible. * Purchase computer products that meet the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) standard. They meet the Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency. * Purchase hand dryers with automatic sensor controls. * Train housekeepers to turn off lighting and heating and cooling equipment when not needed. Provide bilingual instructions. Spanish-speaking employees typically think in terms of Centigrade, rather than Fahrenheit. This can cause difficulty for them in setting thermostats to the proper temperature. Issuing each room attendant a simple placard with a sketch showing a typical guestroom thermostat setting can easily resolve this problem. * Weather stripping on outside entrances typically lasts less than two years. Placing a brush-type of weather stripping that does not affect the operation of the door and that provides a good seal from the outside cold weather will pay handsome dividends. Visit us on the Web at: www.p2pays.org Tom Rhodes Environmental Specialist NC WasteTrader.com NC Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance 1639 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 (919) 715-6516 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://kirk.p2pays.org/pipermail/ncgreenhotels/attachments/20070423/016416dd/attachment.htm