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Summary

Hotel Room Automation

Hotel Room EMS: Auto-off on Vacancy vs. Manual Control

Automation for hotel rooms using sensors (infrared, motion, etc) to detect when the room is empty, to set back the HVAC thermostat set-point and to turn off lights.

Synopsis:

Hotel room automation sensors (infrared, motion, etc.) that detect when the room is empty are used to set back the HVAC thermostat set-point and to turn off lights. The HVAC set-back temperatures can be programmed to be progressively more aggressive the longer the room remains vacant. For example, the thermostat may be set back two degrees after 30 minutes, three degrees after 60 minutes, and four degrees after two hours. The thermostat returns to the original set-point when someone enters the room.

Features include: communication with existing thermostats, detection of patio door left open, prevention of short cycling, troubleshooting and maintenance alerts, pre-cool or pre-heat a room on check-in and front-desk controls.  These systems are available in wireless technology.

Energy Savings: 35%
Energy Savings Rating: Extensive Assessment  What's this?
LevelStatusDescription
1Concept not validatedClaims of energy savings may not be credible due to lack of documentation or validation by unbiased experts.
2Concept validated:An unbiased expert has validated efficiency concepts through technical review and calculations based on engineering principles.
3Limited assessmentAn unbiased expert has measured technology characteristics and factors of energy use through one or more tests in typical applications with a clear baseline.
4Extensive assessmentAdditional testing in relevant applications and environments has increased knowledge of performance across a broad range of products, applications, and system conditions.
5Comprehensive analysisResults of lab and field tests have been used to develop methods for reliable prediction of performance across the range of intended applications.
6Approved measureProtocols for technology application are established and approved.
Simple Payback, New Construction (years): 3.5   What's this?
Simple Payback, Retrofit (years): 3.5   What's this?

Simple Payback is one tool used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a proposed investment, such as the investment in an energy efficient technology. Simple payback indicates how many years it will take for the initial investment to "pay itself back." The basic formula for calculating a simple payback is:

Simple Payback = Incremental First Cost / Annual Savings

The Incremental Cost is determined by subtracting the Baseline First Cost from the Measure First Cost.

For New Construction, the Baseline First Cost is the cost to purchase the standard practice technology. The Measure First Cost is the cost of the alternative, more energy efficienct technology. Installation costs are not included, as it is assumed that installation costs are approximately the same for the Baseline and the Emerging Technology.

For Retrofit scenarios, the Baseline First Cost is $0, since the baseline scenario is to leave the existing equipment in place. The Emerging Technology First Cost is the Measure First Cost plus Installation Cost (the cost of the replacement technology, plus the labor cost to install it). Retrofit scenarios generally have a higher First Cost and longer Simple Paybacks than New Construction scenarios.

Simple Paybacks are called "simple" because they do not include details such as the time value of money or inflation, and often do not include operations and maintenance (O&M) costs or end-of-life disposal costs. However, they can still provide a powerful tool for a quick assessment of a proposed measure. These paybacks are rough estimates based upon best available data, and should be treated with caution. For major financial decisions, it is suggested that a full Lifecycle Cost Analysis be performed which includes the unique details of your situation.

The energy savings estimates are based upon an electric rate of $.09/kWh, and are calculated by comparing the range of estimated energy savings to the baseline energy use. For most technologies, this results in "Typical," "Fast" and "Slow" payback estimates, corresponding with the "Typical," "High" and "Low" estimates of energy savings, respectively.

Status:

Details

Hotel Room Automation

Hotel Room EMS: Auto-off on Vacancy vs. Manual Control

Automation for hotel rooms using sensors (infrared, motion, etc) to detect when the room is empty, to set back the HVAC thermostat set-point and to turn off lights.
Item ID: 97
Sector: Commercial
Energy System: Multiple Energy Systems--Energy Management
Technical Advisory Group: 2011 Energy Management TAG (#4)
Average TAG Rating: 2.7 out of 5
TAG Ranking Date: 09/29/2011
TAG Rating Commentary:
  1. Research to date on the savings for this measure is not encouraging.
  2. Technology already in the marketplace
  3. Simple and effective.

Synopsis:

Hotel room automation sensors (infrared, motion, etc.) that detect when the room is empty are used to set back the HVAC thermostat set-point and to turn off lights. The HVAC set-back temperatures can be programmed to be progressively more aggressive the longer the room remains vacant. For example, the thermostat may be set back two degrees after 30 minutes, three degrees after 60 minutes, and four degrees after two hours. The thermostat returns to the original set-point when someone enters the room.

Features include: communication with existing thermostats, detection of patio door left open, prevention of short cycling, troubleshooting and maintenance alerts, pre-cool or pre-heat a room on check-in and front-desk controls.  These systems are available in wireless technology.

Baseline Example:

Baseline Description: Occupant controlled heating, cooling and lights.
Baseline Energy Use: 12.5 kWh per year per square foot

Comments:

NEEA's 2009 Commercial Building Stock Assessment indicates an electrical energy use index (EUI) of 19.0 kWh/sf-year for hotels/motels with electric space heat and cooling.  Facilities with no electrical heating or cooling have an electrical energy consumption or EUI of only 6.5 kWh/sf-year, indicating a heating and cooling or HVAC EUI of about 12.5 kWh/sf-year. 

Manufacturer's Energy Savings Claims:

"Typical" Savings: 40%

Comments:

Per Siemens (Siemens, 2013) the energy savings on the HVAC can be more than 40%.

Best Estimate of Energy Savings:

"Typical" Savings: 35%
Low and High Energy Savings: 25% to 40%
Energy Savings Reliability: 4 - Extensive Assessment

Comments:

The Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) study cited in the Citations section below claims 38% savings over standard practice. However, this is based on secondary research. Most product manufacturers do not make specific claims of potential energy savings. Actual savings depend on occupancy rate, ambient weather conditions, features of the purchased system, how well employees are trained, maintenance and other factors.

Two ACEEE studies document 25% and 40% energy savings: http://www.esource.com/escrc/0013000000DP22YAAT/BEA1/PA/PA_BuildingAutomationSystems/PA-63.

The California Energy Commission presents many case studies, including a case study at the Hilton Palm Springs that documents a reduction in their energy demand of 48%:

http://www.energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-060/CEC-400-2005-060-FS.PDF

Another case study where Wyndham Hotels tested Leviton's wireless products concluded that these hotel rooms consumed 33% less energy compared to rooms without the controls:

www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGetAttachment.jsp?cItemId=654Fy51IMC-3kLEfjVveww&label=IBE&appName=IBE&minisite=10251

Energy savings depend on the thermostat set-points, fan settings, occupancy rates, percent of time the room is empty, and how the occupant and staff operate the HVAC system. If staff or guests turn room HVAC systems off manually when the room is empty, the resulting energy savings may be very low with the automatic control. Climate will also influence potential savings, which will be greatest for facilities in relatively severe climates.

Energy Use of Emerging Technology:
8.1 kWh per square foot per year What's this?

Energy Use of an Emerging Technology is based upon the following algorithm.

Baseline Energy Use - (Baseline Energy Use * Best Estimate of Energy Savings (either Typical savings OR the high range of savings.))

Technical Potential:
Units: square foot
Potential number of units replaced by this technology: 95,175,000
Comments:

The NEEA 2009 Commercial Building Stock Assessment indicates a hotel/motel total of 135 million square feet (see Table 16).  ( NEEA, 12/21/2009).  Of this conditioned space, 70.5% had electricity as their primary heating fuel.  So the total square footage of electrically heated and cooled space is 95.175 million sf (from Table C-HS10). 

Regional Technical Potential:
0.42 TWh per year
48 aMW
What's this?

Regional Technical Potential of an Emerging Technology is calculated as follows:

Baseline Energy Use * Estimate of Energy Savings (either Typical savings OR the high range of savings) * Technical Potential (potential number of units replaced by the Emerging Technology)

First Cost:

Installed first cost per: square foot
Emerging Technology Unit Cost (Equipment Only): $1.38
Emerging Technology Installation Cost (Labor, Disposal, Etc.): $0.00
Baseline Technology Unit Cost (Equipment Only): $0.00

Comments:

The cost of automation systems varies by manufacturer, the labor rate, and time required by the installing electrician. The difficulty of running wiring, or whether controls can be wireless, will affect the system cost, as will the familiarity and experience of the installing electrician. The E Source study cited in Citations states that the total installed cost (TIC) for a unit controlling a packaged terminal HVAC unit was between $150 and $320 per room. For a networked device controlling all energy-using systems in the room, the TIC can be up to $690 per room.  Assuming 500 sf per room, the cost is about $1.38/sf.

Cost Effectiveness:

Simple payback, new construction (years): 3.5

Simple payback, retrofit (years): 3.5

What's this?

Cost Effectiveness is calculated using baseline energy use, best estimate of typical energy savings, and first cost. It does not account for factors such as impacts on O&M costs (which could be significant if product life is greatly extended) or savings of non-electric fuels such as natural gas. Actual overall cost effectiveness could be significantly different based on these other factors.

Detailed Description:

This strategy provides the ability for the hotel manager to access temperature and lighting controls from the front desk so energy-consuming features of a hotel room can be remotely turned off or set back when there is no occupant in the room.

Product Information:
Amana, DigiSmart Controls US Energy Solutions, Energy Patrol telkonet, EcoView telkonet, EcoInsight

Standard Practice:

HVAC units maintain heating or cooling set-points continuously, unless turned off by an energy-efficiency oriented guest or staff member. Lights also remain on unless the room occupant turns them off.

Development Status:

This technology is commercially available but is not widely utilized in the Northwest. As with many energy management systems, its potential for energy savings is subject to application-specific baseline conditions.

End User Drawbacks:

The primary issues with the technology are its installation cost, complexity and lack of clear data documenting the energy and maintenance savings potential. Other issues are the perceived potential for equipment failure and increased maintenance due to cycling and additional complexity of the system. These issues are somewhat offset if the system can alert staff of issues or can be used to remotely trouble-shoot maintenance issues.

Operations and Maintenance Costs:

No information available.

Effective Life:

Comments:

An effective life of 10 to 15 years is normally estimated for control systems.

Competing Technologies:

Competing technologies include: card key interlock systems, which turn off some or all room energy loads when the card key is removed, and bathroom lighting occupancy controls, which turn off lights when there is no motion for a pre-programmed period of time. These and other alternatives are described in the E Source and PG&E publications cited in the Citations section, below.

Reference and Citations:

E Source, 01/01/2011. Hotel Room Automation
E Source

PG&E, 09/10/2007. Emerging Technologies Report Supplement to Application Assessment Report # 0609, Occupancy-Based Guestroom Controls San Francisco, CA
Pacific Gas and Electric Company

CEC, 04/24/2002. The Doubletree Hotel Sacremento uses enhanced automation to manage energy costs in a volatile market
California Energy Commission

CEC, 11/07/2005. Hilton Palm Springs reduced energy demand by 48 percent with enhanced automation and associated technology.
California Energy Commission

Donald Frey, 02/12/2010. Card-Key Guestroom Controls Study
Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Siemens, 12/16/2013. Energy Efficiency at the Heart of Sustainable Hotels
Siemens

CADMUS, 12/21/2009. Northwest Commercial Building Stock Assessment (CBSA): Final Report
Prepared by the CADMUS Group for the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Rank & Scores

Hotel Room Automation

2011 Energy Management TAG (#4)


Technical Advisory Group: 2011 Energy Management TAG (#4)
TAG Ranking: 14 out of 59
Average TAG Rating: 2.7 out of 5
TAG Ranking Date: 09/29/2011
TAG Rating Commentary:

  1. Research to date on the savings for this measure is not encouraging.
  2. Technology already in the marketplace
  3. Simple and effective.


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