Commercial Construction & Renovation

JUL-AUG 2016

Commercial Construction & Renovation helps our subscribers design, build and maintain better commercial facilities by delivering content to meet the information needs of today's high-level executives.

Issue link: https://ccr-mag.epubxp.com/i/715479

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 19 of 162

15 JULY : AUGUST 2016 — COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION »CCRS 2017 SPONSOR CIRCLE NO. 11 D U S T B A R R I E R S Y S T E M 800-718-2255 Seal any doorway in just a minute! ■ Airtight seal ■ Preinstalled zippers for easy access ■ Double-sided tape holds securely without damaging doorframe surface Now available at zipdoor.com. ZipDoor ® Commercial Door Kit For commercial doors up to 4' x 8'. Class A Flame Retardant (in accordance with Chapter 8 of the International Building Code) Turning the lights on U.S. hotels embracing energy-efficient technologies I t's no secret that American hotels have long resisted key cards or other ener- gy-saving systems. Energy was inexpensive, and hoteliers feared that guests used to routinely leaving their rooms with the lights and air-conditioner on would see any check on their energy use as an inconvenience. But the aversion is changing. Today, U.S. hotels are adopting energy-efficient building systems in response to consumer demands and local laws. With energy costs typically representing 4 percent to 6 percent of overall operating expenses, technologies such as key cards that activate lights and temperature controls actually can bring savings. For some independently run hotels, es- pecially those housed in older buildings, key card-based light and temperature controls appear to be an increasingly appealing al- ternative. The key card systems allow hotels to select which circuits are controlled by the devices. And in most cases, the switches are programmed with a delay, keeping the lights on for a brief grace period after the key has been removed from the slot. The card systems also can be easily gamed by placing an extra room key in the wall slot to keep the lights or air-conditioning on, even when the room is vacant. By subtly shifting energy use, guests may not even be aware of the difference. This is causing hoteliers who place guest satisfaction well ahead conservation to reduce their energy use. CCR

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Commercial Construction & Renovation - JUL-AUG 2016