Minimum Hotel Green Guidelines

7/24/2019 Minimum Hotel Green Guidelines

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AH&LA Green Guidelines


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AH&LA Environmental Guidelines

American Hotel & Lodging Association | www.ahla.com/green.aspx 1

Table of Contents

Green Task Force ...........................................................................................................................................................2

Introduction and AH&LA Environmental Policy Statement .................................................................................... 3

11 Minimum Guidelines for Going Green .................................................................................................................. 4

Additional Guidelines ................................................................................................................................................. 18

AH&LA Green Glossary ............................................................................................................................................. 21


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Green Task Force

Carmen Baker

Vice President, Responsible Business

Carlson Hotels Worldwide

Christopher Corpuel

Vice President, Global Sustainibility

Hilton Hotels Corporation

Dan Gilligan

Vice President, Energy & Environmental Services

Accor North America

Paul Hildreth

Director of Lodging Engineering

Marriott International, Inc.

Dennis McCarty

Vice President, Technical Services

InterContinental Hotels Group

Gus Newbury

Vice President, Engineering

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Ron Pohl

Vice President, Brand Management & Member Services

Best Western International

Jay Sigona

Senior Director, Brand Programs

Choice Hotels International

Jeff Slye

CEO, Chief Evolution Officer

Business Evolution Consulting

Mari Snyder

Vice President, Social Responsibility & Community Engagement

Marriott International, Inc.

Faith Taylor

Vice President Innovation, Development and Sustainability

Worldwide

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Brigitta Witt

Vice President, Environmental Affairs

Global Hyatt Corporation

Joe McInerney, CHA

President & CEO

American Hotel & Lodging Association

Kathryn Potter

Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications

American Hotel & Lodging Association

Patrick Maher

Partner

The Maher Group, LLC

David Stipanuk

Associate Professor

Cornell University


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Introduction

AH&LAs Green Task Force has developed comprehensive, sustainable greening guidelines designed expressly for the hotel indus-

try. These guidelines provide hotel owners and operators with a variety of options in which to create an environmental-friendly and

sustainable hotel.

The AH&LA Minimum Environmental Guidelines are based on existing certification programs, including Green Seal, Green Globe,

Green Key, LEED, and various state programs. In developing these guidelines, the goal was to identify those that are the most repu-

table and provide the best pathways for the industry as a whole.

The guidelines define ways to give hotel owners and operators opportunities to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts

through reduced utility consumption, recycling programs, employee training, and supply chain management. Hotels can improve

both their fiscal and environmental performance by adhering to these guidelines, as well as see benefits in corporate environmental

management, housekeeping, food and beverage operations, conference and meeting functions, and engineering.

The 11 AH&LA Minimum Environmental Guidelines were culled from more than 70 overall items that are used by the major privatesector certification or rating systems, plus the criteria used by the state certification programs. The guidelines will be continuously add-

ed and built upon with the next set focusing on design and construction, materials and resources, chemicals and cleaning, and indoor

air quality. Each of the minimum guidelines will include case studies, business cases, and resources for properties to implement.

AH&LA Environmental Policy Statement

American Hotel & Lodging Association is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging

industry. The association is continuing to take a leadership position in understanding environmental issues, assisting the industry in

evaluating opportunities, and working to assist our members in complying with environmental legal requirements. We will provide

hoteliers with the resources, tools and education to effectively implement sustainable strategies. The association is also playing a majo

role with the meeting planning community in crafting guidelines.

We are committed to serve the industry as an advocate. The primary focus is to encourage hotels to measure performance in all areas.

The initial focal point is on reducing and lessening their impact in the areas of energy, water, and waste. The role of AH&LA is to

provide supporting educational resources. Additional areas will include design and construction, suppliers, and improving indoor air

quality.


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11 Minimum Guidelines for Going Green

Below is a list of actions properties of any size should take to stake their claim as an eco-friendly establishment. Each step contains

further tactics, including case studies, statistics, and additional resources. AH&LA members who have further questions may get one-

on-one advice from our Green Guru.

1. Each hotel should form an Environmental Committee that is responsible for developing an Environmental Green Plan for energy,

water, and solid waste use.

2. Manage your hotels environmental performance by monitoring the electric, gas, water, and waste usage information on a monthly

and annual basis.

3. Replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps wherever possible.

4. Install digital thermostats in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.

5. Implement a towel and/or linen reuse program.

6. Install 2.5-gallons per minute showerheads or less in all guestroom baths and any employee shower areas.

7. Install 1.6-gallon toilets in all guestrooms.

8. Implement a recycling programincluding public spacesto the full extent available in your municipality; document your

efforts.

9. Implement a recycling program for hazardous materials found in fluorescent bulbs, batteries, and lighting ballasts through licensed

service providers.

10.Purchase Energy Star labeled appliances and equipment.

11.All office paper products should have 20% or more post consumer recycled content.


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Guideline #1

Each hotel should form an Environmental Committee that is responsible for developing an

Environmental Green Plan for energy, water, and solid waste use.

Description

Each hotel should formally establish an Environmental Committee. The committees goals should be to develop an energy savings

program that sets targets for lower gas, electric, and water consumption and solid waste disposal. This will result in a reduction of their

carbon footprint and will also help to promote programs that protect and sustain local, national, and global environments for future

generations.

The committee should be comprised of members from various departments within the hotel. They should elect a chairperson who is

knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and has strong communication skills. They should create and sign a formal energy management policy

statement that assigns and measures accountability within the hotel. Performance goals should be updated annually. They should

develop training and certification programs, and design awareness campaigns that reach out to all hotel employees. These programs

should periodically be updated and enhanced as the market indicates.

The committees goal is to research and implement ways to minimize the hotels energy and water consumption and solid wastedisposal. They should seek out eco-friendly initiatives, be an advocate for energy conservation and an industry leader in environmental

practices.

They should identify ways to communicate their initiatives to all the hotel employees and guests. This can be achieved through meet-

ings, employee bulletin boards, an employee newsletter, or a discussion at the new-employee orientation. Their goal should be to get

employees excited about good green practices. And, this, in turn, will encourage the employees to continue using these energy con-

servation procedures in their homes and personal activities. They can also communicate their environmental policies to guests through

printed and electronic communications to encourage environmentally responsible behavior.

Implementing an Environmental Committee will bring various results. It will help to reduce property costs by minimizing water and

electricity consumption, create customer loyalty by sharing their values with the customer thus enhancing their public image. It will

help to attract and retain dedicated hotel personnel and staff.

Resources

Refer to the Energy Star site for information on setting up an environmental committee.

The Federal Government operates an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program, where youll find information on this

program, its standards, and products that are purchased.

The success of environmental programs require full associate engagement. The hotels environmentally-conscious purchasing plan

should consider life-cycle costs and testing of environmentally-responsible products and services.


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Guideline #2

Manage your hotels environmental performance by monitoring the electric, gas, water, and

waste usage information on a monthly and annual basis.

Description

Monitor your electric, gas, and water usage. Track monthly and year-over-year consumption.

Utilize the Energy Star Portfolio Manager (www.epa.gov) to record your energy usage and receive additional information that com-

pares your hotel to hotels of a similar type.

Energy Stars Portfolio Manager helps you track and assess energy and water consumption. This tool helps you benchmark your ho-

tels energy performance, assess energy management goals over time, and identify strategic opportunities for savings and recognition

opportunities.

You can rate your hotels energy performance on a scale of 1100 relative to similar hotels entered into Portfolio Manager to deter-

mine your ENERGY STAR rating. A rating of 50 indicates that the building, from an energy consumption standpoint, performs better

than 50% of all similar buildings nationwide, while a rating of 75 indicates that the building performs better than 75% of all similarbuildings nationwide.

If your score in Portfolio Manager is below the average score of 50, it is advisable to have an energy audit performed. You can obtain

information from your state energy office about potential assistance with audit activities and assistance for financing to improve energy

performance.

Energy Star recognizes Advantage IQ as a leader in providing utility and waste cost management services.

Their patented system, Facility IQ, combined with their consulting and management services, provides multi-site companies with

critical, yet easy-to-access information that can result in increased conservation and savings opportunity. Their core services include

processing, paying, auditing, and reporting on facility invoices. Additionally, Advantage IQ is a host of EPAs energy performance

rating system. Advantage IQ has linked the rating system to Facility IQ allowing customers to receive building energy ratings

automatically.


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Guideline #3

Replace incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps wherever possible.

DescriptionInstalling compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to replace existing incandescent lamps is an excellent way to generate savings and im-

prove guest satisfaction scores. CFLs use 66% less energy than incandescent lamps and they last four times longer. Hotels can achieve

these savings by reducing energy consumption, generating less heat, and reducing labor replacing lamps.

Business Case

A 300-room downtown hotel believes that they have a potential opportunity to reduce energy consumption by installing new CFLs.

However, they want to calculate the return on their investment before taking any action. Each guestroom has five 90w incandescent

lamps that can be replaced with 30w CFLs that will maintain the same lighting levels. This will result in a reduction of 60 watts per

lamp. Occupancy is gathered from the P&L and the hours of operating lamps is a national average. This calculation assumes that

new CFLs are installed, decreasing electricity in kilowatt hours and requiring fifteen minutes labor costs ($4) to install.

Calculations

For the calculation, the cost per kwh is $.12 (obtained from bills). The cost per CFL lamp is $10.25 installed including labor.

GuestRooms

OccupancyNumber of

LampsReduction in

WattageHoursUsed

TotalDays

TotalKwh

Saved

300 x 72% x 5 x 60w x 6 x 365 = 141,912

Annual Savings

Annual kwh Electric Savings: 141,912 x $.12 = $17,029

Total Annual Savings: $17,029

Investment Payback

Cost per CFL Installed: $10.25Number of CFLs: (5x300)1500

Total Investment: $15,375

Investment: $15,375Annual Savings: $17,029

Payback: .9 years (10 months)

Resources

Utilize the Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool to record your energy usage and receive additional information that compares your

hotel to hotels of a similar type.

The Federal Government operates an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program that offers information on this program,

its standards, and products that are purchased.

In many states as well as at the federal level, loan, rebate, and tax incentive programs exist for the purchase of energy-efficient

equipment, as well as the installation of renewable energy equipment. Be aware of these and incorporate them into your purchase

evaluations.


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Guideline #4

Install digital thermostats in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.

DescriptionInstalling digital thermostats in guestrooms and throughout the hotel is an excellent way to generate savings. Hotels can achieve these

savings by reducing electrical, natural gas, and fuel oil consumption along with improving customer satisfaction. Digital thermostats

can be programmed with set temperature range limits to avoid wild customer swings in settings. They are also very accurate in

comparison to conventional thermostats for additional efficiencies.

Business Case

A 300-room downtown hotel believes that they may have a potential opportunity to reduce energy consumption by installing new

digital thermostats. However, they want to calculate the return on their investment before taking any action. Occupancy is gathered

from the P&L and the energy (watts) saved is an average from several nationally-recognized business cases. The calculator assumes

that new digital thermostats are installed, decreasing energy used that is calculated in kilowatt-hour and requiring 90 minutes in labor

at a cost of $24 to install.

CalculationFor the calculation, the cost per kwh is $.12 (obtained from bills). The cost per digital thermostat is $93 including labor.

GuestRooms

OccupancyWattsSaved

Hours SavedTotalDays

KwhrMultiplier

TotalKwh

Saved

300 x 72% x 158 x 24 x 365 x .001 = 298,961

Annual Savings

Annual Electric and Natural Gas Savings: 298,961 x $.12 = $35,875


Investment Payback

Cost per Digital Thermostat Installed: $93.00Number of Rooms: 300




Resources

Utilize the Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool (www.energystar.gov) to record your energy usage and receive additional information

that compares your hotel to hotels of a similar type.

Operations utilizing central chilled water systems should have a professional evaluation of efficiency upgrades including (but not

limited to) variable speed drives, digital controls, economizers, and chilled water temperature resets. Building re-commissioning isalso recommended.

When new through-the-wall units are purchased, choose units which are Energy Star Rated (www.energystar.gov). In climates where

cooling and heating are needed, consider the purchase of heat pump units.

Information about the energy efficient operation of buildings can be found by referring to the Building Upgrade Manual

(www.energystar.gov) at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star site.


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Guideline #4 continued

Install digital thermostats in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.

The Upgrade Manual has a section specifically devoted to hotels and motels as well as more general information.

The Federal Government operates an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program and their Website offers information on

the program, its standards, and products.

In many states as well as at the federal level, loan, rebate, and tax incentive programs exist for the purchase of energy efficient

equipment as well as the installation of renewable energy equipment. Be aware of these and incorporate them into your purchase

evaluations.


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Guideline #5

Implement a towel and/or linen reuse program.

DescriptionLinen and towel reuse programs typically allow guests to choose whether or not to have their linens and towels laundered everyday.

By asking your guests to choose to use their towels and linens more than once, your property can achieve considerable annual financia

savings with minimal costs. You can expect, approximately, a 17% reduction in laundry loads and related water/sewer, energy, and

labor costs. In addition, your hotels linen and towel lifespan can be expanded, thereby decreasing replacement costs.

Successful hotels have communicated with their guests using inroom materials including environmental table brochures, door hang-

ers or pillow cards and towel program door hangers. It has been proven that once your guests are aware of this program, most of them

will participate in it.

Hotel operators have learned that a commitment to the environment is not only the right thing to do, but its also a good business

practice.

Business Case

On an annual basis, a typical 300-room hotel can reduce its water usage by 51,840 gallons and detergent usage by 346 gallons. There

is also the potential for additional savings with a reduction in housekeeping and laundry labor and linens and towels purchases.

Calculations

For the calculation, guest participation is based on 22% because this program involves only those guests who stay multiple nights. The

energy, labor and water saving costs are calculated from several national surveys at .92 daily per room.

GuestRooms

OccupancyGuest

ParticipationLabor, Energy

SavedTotal Days Total Saved

300 x 72% x 22% x .92 x 365 = 15,957

Annual Savings

Annual Energy, Water and Labor Savings: $15,957


Resources

Utilize the free linen reuse hotel cards found on the EPAs Website.

A great resource for hotel linen reuse program is http://www.greenlodgingnews.com/kitchenandlaundry.aspx.


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Guideline #6

Install 2.5-gallons per minute showerheads or less in all guestroom baths and any employee

shower areas.

Description

Installing 2.5 gallons per minute showerheads or less in all guestroom baths and any employee shower area is an excellent way to

generate savings. Hotels can achieve these savings by reducing water consumption, generating less hot water, and reducing the sewage

charge.

Business Case

A 300-room downtown hotel believes that they may have a potential opportunity to reduce energy and water consumption by install-

ing new 2.5 gallons per minute showerheads; however, they want to calculate the return on their investment before taking any action.

Occupancy and Average Occupants per Room are from the P&L, while Shower Minutes per Person is a national average. This

calculation assumes that new showerheads are installed, decreasing gallons per minute from 3.5 to 2.5.

Calculations

For the calculation, the cost per gallon of water and sewage is $.01 (obtained from bills). The cost to heat hot water per gallon with

mixed cold water is $.02 per gallon and the cost per showerhead, including labor to install, is $40.

GuestRooms

OccupancyGPMsSaved

AverageOccupants/

Room

ShowerMinutes/Person

TotalDays

TotalGallonsSaved

300 x 72% x 1.0 x 1.5 x 10 x 365 = 1,182,600

Annual Savings

Annual water and sewage savings: 1,182,600 x $.01 =$11,826Annual energy hot water savings: 1,182,600 x $.02 =$23,652

Total annual savings:$35,478

Investment Payback

Cost per Showerhead Installed: $40Total Investment: $12,000




Resources

Utilize the Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool to record your water usage and receive information that compares your hotel to hotels

of a similar type.

Refer to the Hotel Energy and Water Consumption Benchmarks report and evaluate the water usage of your type of hotel using thisreport.


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Guideline #7

Install 1.6-gallon toilets in all guestrooms.

DescriptionInstalling 1.6 gallon toilets in all guestrooms is an excellent way to identify your environmental commitment with your guests andachieve savings. Hotels can achieve these savings by reducing water consumption and sewage charges. Most states currently offersome type of water conservation or water efficiency programs, including water audit assistance rebates and free toilets. Most of theseprograms are not well publicized, so you should contact your local water utility and your state utility regulatory office for programofferings.

Business CaseA 300-room downtown hotel believes that they may have a potential opportunity to reduce water consumption and sewage charges byinstalling new 1.6 gallon toilets. However, they want to calculate a return on their investment before taking any action. Occupancyand Average Occupants per Room are from the P&L, while Flushes per Person is a national average. This calculation assumes thatnew toilets are installed, decreasing gallons per flush from 3.5 to 1.6 gallons and require 90 minutes in labor at a cost of $24 to install.

Calculations

For the calculation, the cost per gallon of water and sewage is $.01 (obtained from bills). The cost per toilet, including labor to install,is $169.

GuestRooms

OccupancyGallonsSaved

AverageOccupants/

Room

DailyFlushes

perPerson

TotalDays

TotalGallonsSaved

300 x 72% x 1.9 x 1.5 x 10 x 365 = 1,348,164

Annual Savings

Annual water and sewage savings: 1,348,164 x $.01 = $13,482


Investment Payback

Cost per Toilet Installed: $169Number of rooms: $300



Payback: 3.8 years

ResourcesRefer to the EPAs Rebate Finder page (www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pp/find_rebate.htm) to determine if your state offers any rebateassistance.

Utilize the Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool (www.energystar.gov) to record your water usage and receive information that com-pares your hotel to hotels of a similar type.

Refer to the Hotel Energy and Water Consumption Benchmarks report available at the Educational Institute (www.ei-ahla.org) andevaluate the water usage of your type of hotel using this report.

Utilize the industrial directory (www.thomasnet.com) listing all companies who are manufacturers or distributors of water savingtoilets.

Calculate your water savings using the EPAs water sense page found at www.epa.gov.

Check guestroom toilets for leaking valves. Place a small amount of food coloring in the toilet tank. If it appears in the toilet bowl,

there is a leak. Replace valves when leaks are noted.


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Guideline #8

Implement a recycling program including public spaces to the full extent available in your

municipality; document your efforts.

Description

With an increased focus on waste reduction and awareness throughout the world, more products and programs that promote recycling

are becoming available. Therefore, implementing a recycling program is one of the major conservation initiatives identified by the

Green Task Force.

Procedures

Perform an audit to categorize the content in your existing waste stream.

Utilize the Waste Reduction and Buy Recycling Tracking Sheets found at the EPAs Waste Website (www.epa.gov/epawaste/

partnerships/wastewise/index.htm) to record your hotels solid waste data. Click on Partner Support and then click on Measure Your

Progress. The Waste Reduction and Buy Recycling Tracking Sheets are located on this page.

Once you have collected data on your hotels solid waste generation and costs, review this for savings opportunities. Many haulers

have a pickup fee as well as a fee based on the amount of waste. It may be possible to reduce the frequency of pickup, especially assolid waste reduction actions are taken.

Contact your trash hauler and local solid waste recycling authorities to determine the regulations and opportunities for solid waste

recycling in your area. If you are in an area with several other hotels, you may wish to investigate shared services involving recycling

to reduce costs and coordinate efforts.

If newspapers are provided for free to guests, make them available at central locations rather than delivering them to each room (where

brand standards allow).

Implement back of house recycling programs. Most operations should be able to implement recycling in a cost effective manner for

the following: cardboard, newspaper, other paper, glass, metals, plastics, printer and toner cartridges.

Periodic audits of the waste stream are recommended to help identify further opportunities and problem areas.

Business CaseA 300-room downtown hotel believes they may have a potential opportunity to reduce weekly hauling costs by implementing a single-

source recycling container. The hotel believes it will be able to reduce waste pick-ups to every two weeks and have the recycling

container picked up weekly or as needed. Pick-up costs for the recycling container should be $0 (no cost) depending on the waste

hauler and municipality. Some locations may receive some income for recycling materials.

Annual Savings

Current Waste Costs: $400 x 52 = $20,800Proposed Waste Costs: $400 x 26 = $10,400Total Annual Savings: $10,400

Resources

Record your hotels solid waste date using the spreadsheet on AH&LAs Website.

A great resource for hotel waste and recycling programs is found through Green Lodging News.

Donate your hotels used furniture to AH&LAs preferred partner, National Furniture Bank Association, a nonprofit organization that

gives all donations to individuals and families in need. NFBA will arrange for your items to be picked up. You will also receive an IRS

(c) (3) sanctioned tax deduction. Contact [email protected].

Another option is to donate items to your local homeless shelters or other charitable organizations.


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Guideline #9

Implement a recycling program for hazardous materials found in fluorescent bulbs, batteries,

and lighting ballasts through licensed-service providers.

Description

Hazardous waste is waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment. Hazardous wastes can be liquids,

solids, or gases. Implementing a recycling program for these hazardous materials is imperative.

Procedures

Assess your hotel and categorize the types of hazardous waste that you may have on site.

Fluorescent bulbs and ballasts

In assessing fluorescent bulbs and ballasts, some questions should be answered. How many fluorescent lamps/ballasts do you have

and where are they located? How often do you change your fluorescent lamps/ballasts? How many lamps are you disposing of each

month? How are you handling and storing the used lamps? Do all employees know what to do with a used florescent lamp/

ballast? Become knowledgeable about state and federal requirements for managing fluorescent lamps/ballasts. Select a recycler.

Lamprecycle.org is a resource for any light bulb user seeking details on recycling spent mercury-containing lamps. You can check outyour individual state by clicking on the State Lamp Recycling Regulations & Contacts link found on their home page.

Establish a process for managing used fluorescent lamps and ballasts. Designate an area within your facility to store used lamps and

ballasts. Make sure that employees know whom to call when a lamp or ballast burns out or what to do if a lamp is broken.

Safely handle and store used fluorescent lamps and ballasts. Educate your employees about the dangers of mercury in fluorescent

lamps and PCBs in ballasts. Treat lamps in a way that avoids breakage. Your lamp/ballast recycler may provide you with a container

that makes storage, shipping, or pick-up easier. Create a procedure for managing broken lamps and ballasts. Learn how to clean up

broken lamps/ballasts by visiting the EPAs Mercury Website (www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent).

The recycler should provide you with documentation that the waste lamps/ballasts have been properly recycled. A Certificate of

Recycling is the recyclers certification of the total weight of material received on a particular date and confirmation that processing is

in accordance with state and federal regulations. You will want to keep this paperwork on file so that you can verify that the disposal of

the waste lamps was in accordance with the Universal Waste Rule.

Include recycling costs in your annual budget. Since recycling costs vary, it is advisable to get at least three estimates for recycling.

You can find additional information by visiting the EPAs Website (www.epa.gov).

Batteries

Over three billion dry cell batteries are sold each year in U.S. hotels. For example, batteries are used in lock systems, smoke detectors,

remote controls, and a variety of other items. Batteries contain heavy metals that can contaminate the environment when not properly

disposed of. Recycling batteries keeps these heavy metals out of landfills and the air and saves resources because recovered plastic and

metals can be used to make new batteries.

Establish a process for managing used batteries. Designate an area within your facility to store used batteries and make sure your em-

ployees know what to do with them.

Many states have regulations in place requiring battery recycling. Refer to the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation

(www.rbrc.org) to determine your state regulations. Click on the link for businesses to gain information on how to properly dispose of

batteries. Most of the nationwide lamp/ballast disposal companies also include batteries in their programs. Additional information can

be found at www.lamprecycle.org.


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Guideline #10

Purchase Energy Star labeled appliances and equipment.

Energy and water costs for many pieces of equipment used in the hospitality business exceed the initial costs of the equipment manytimes over. When purchasing equipment, be sure to buy equipment that is efficient and is correctly sized (bigger is not better when it

comes to energy and water usage). Purchasing of Energy Star labeled equipment is highly recommended.

Provided on the Energy Star Website (www.energystar.gov), hotels and motels will find the following table that offers information on

how they can obtain significant reductions in energy bills by purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified products. This table represents a

typical basket of ENERGY STAR qualified products hot food holding cabinets, fryers, vending machines, exit signs, and compact

fluorescent lamps typically found in hotels and motels. These products can save you over $135,000 in electricity costs (based on an

electricity rate of $0.095/kWh) (1) and prevent 2,200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over their lifetime compared to conventional

products.

ActionAnnual Energy &

Maintenance

Savings

Annual SavingsCO2 (Tons)

Net Life-CycleSavings

Life-Cycle SavingsCO2 (Tons)

Use three ENERGY STARqualified hot foodholding cabinets

$3,200 26 $24,800 309

Use three ENERGY STARqualified gas fryers

$1,900 95 $6,500 1,140

Replace 15 conventionalvending machines

with ENERGY STARqualified versions

$3,200 27 $33,700 360

Replace 150incandescent exit

signs with theENERGY STAR LED type

$7,300 31 $50,700 314

Replace 250incandescent bulbs

with compactfluorescent lamps

$6,500 32 $19,600 108

Totals $22,100 211 $135,300 2,231

(1) Figures obtained from calculators on the Purchasing & Procurement Webpage; savings have been rounded to the nearest hundred for simplicity.Calculators may be downloaded (right-click) or used from the Web (left-click). Net life-cycle savings include energy and maintenance savings and the

purchase price of ENERGY STAR qualified products and conventional ones.

In many states as well as at the federal level, loan, rebate, and tax incentive programs exist (www.dsireusa.org) for the purchase of

energy-efficient equipment, as well as the installation of renewable energy equipment. Be aware of these and incorporate them into

your purchase evaluations.


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Guideline #11

All office paper products should have 20% or more post consumer recycled content.

DescriptionIn purchasing office paper products, the single most important factor to look for is the post consumer content. Post consumer content

is recycled fiber or material from consumer products. Some examples include old magazines, old telephone directories, residential

mixed-use paper, and any other paper product sent to the landfills. This differs from pre-consumer content or material. Pre-consumer

content is material that has been discarded before it is ready for consumer use (www.conservatree.com).

Buying recycled-content paper has an effect on the environment both upstream (where raw materials are acquired and processed)

and downstream (waste-disposal impacts). Upstream, buying recycled paper reduces the number of trees needed in production and it

reduces energy consumption. Paper made from recycled paper uses 40% less energy to manufacture than producing paper from trees.

Downstream, recycling 1 ton of newspaper eliminates three cubic meters of landfill.

Procedure

Hotels should purchase office paper products with a minimum of 20% post consumer recycled content.


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Additional GuidelinesThese guidelines span energy, water, solid waste, and education/resources.

Energy

Each hotel should form an environmental committee that is responsible for developing an Environmental Green Plan around each

pillar. The success of any environmental program also includes associate engagement.

An essential part of managing the hotels environmental performance is having accurate, monthly utility and waste usage

information.

Larger operations should be working with energy/engineering consultants regarding their needs. Higher costs are likely associated

with the types of upgrades needed at larger hotels, as well as more professional expertise in their design and implementation.

Utilize the Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool to record your energy usage and receive additional information that compares your

hotel to hotels of a similar type.

If your score in Portfolio Manager is below the average score of 50, it is advisable to have an energy audit performed. Refer to the

Energy Star resources tab of the Green section of the AH&LA Website for information about potential assistance in your state with

audit activities and assistance for financing to improve energy performance.

Lighting

Replace T-12 uorescent tubes with high performance T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts. Energy savings of approximately 40% is

possible.

Install occupancy sensor controls on lighting systems in meeting rooms and in back of house areas where possible. Occupancy sensor

controls will activate lighting systems when spaces are occupied and will turn off the lights after spaces are vacated.

If occupancy sensor controls are not feasible, due to cost or physical factors such as ability to adequately cover the space, implement

a program to turn off the lights in meeting spaces and back of house areas when spaces are not in use.

If areas of the hotel (such as the lobby and pool areas) benet from exposure to sunlight, turn off lights in these areas when they

receive adequate lighting from sunlight. It may be possible to install a photocell control in these areas that will do this automatically.

Control exterior lighting in parking areas and around the building via photocells to only provide lighting when needed.

Water Heating

Reduce the delivery temperature of hot water to guestrooms to no more than 120 F. Delivery of hot water to guestrooms above

120 F is not only dangerous, but also can result in substantial energy losses from piping. Use a temperature and pressure compen-

sated mixing valve to control temperatures.

Do not operate water heaters (and associated water storage tanks) at temperatures above 140 F.

Efcient operation of water heaters and boilers is an important element in minimizing energy usage. Contract with a qualied

mechanical contractor for a boiler maintenance inspections and tune-ups to improve performance. If existing equipment operates

inefficiently, consider replacement.

Waste heat recovery from laundry wastewater and dryer air should also be evaluated.

Operations with central chilled water systems should evaluate the potential for heat recovery from these systems for water heating.

Heating, Cooling and Ventilation

All spaces within hotels require conditioned air in order to be comfortable to people or to maintain products (i.e. food) at proper

conditions. However, substantial reductions in energy usage can still be maintained through the proper operation of the systems that

condition these spaces.

Air handling units serving public spaces (and those supplying make up air to guestroom corridors) should be on a regular preventive

maintenance schedule and should have air filters regularly replaced. Filter replacement frequency should be done based on manufac-

turers recommendations, as well as on the level of buildup on the filter.


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Heating, Cooling and Ventilation

Meeting spaces do not need to be fully conditioned when they are not in use. Use building control systems and controls in these

(such as thermostats or occupancy sensors) to reduce the space-conditioning energy usage when the spaces are not occupied.

Kitchen areas require the use of ventilation equipment whenever the kitchen equipment is operating. However, when kitchen equip-

ment is not operating, ventilation equipment should be turned off.

Avoid losing hot or cool air by being sure that exterior doors on conditioned spaces are closed and that seals and curtains on doors

are installed and well maintained.

Larger hotels should have HVAC systems and their controls evaluated by outside contractors periodically to ensure proper operation.

Recommissioning activities are strongly recommended.

Space Heating

When nished cleaning rooms, guestroom thermostats should be set from 66 to 68 F (during the heating season) by the housekeep-

ing staff and fan settings should be placed on low.

When leaving the guestroom during the heating season, housekeeping staff should close all drapes. Particularly sunny climates with

cold conditions may choose to leaves drapes open on south or west facing windows to benefit from solar heat gain.

Operations utilizing through-the-wall units for guestroom heating should be sure to clean or replace lters on these units monthly, as

well as performing annual cleaning.

Operations utilizing central boiler systems with fan coils should have a professional evaluation of efciency upgrades including (but

not limited to) variable speed drives, digital control, boiler efficiency upgrades, and hot water temperature resets. Building re-com-

missioning is also recommended.

Other Energy

Laundry operations can use a substantial amount of energy to operate dryers. Installation of washing machines that provide a greaterreduction in the moisture retention in linens and dryers that have higher efficiency should be considered.

Pool heating can also use large amounts of energy. Outdoor pools should be covered to reduce not only heat loss, but also water

evaporation. Indoor pools should consider the use of heat pump units that dehumidify the indoor environment and provide pool heat-

ing. In colder climates, heat recovery from pool ventilation air should also be evaluated.

In general, when replacing energy-using equipment you should evaluate the needed size (capacity) of the equipment in light of

current needs. As properties implement energy reductions the needed equipment capacity can often be reduced. Installation of

properly-sized equipment saves money in the initial cost and money and energy in its operation. Installation of over sized equipment

wastes money in initial cost and in operations, as well as consuming more energy than is needed.

Water

Utilize the Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool to record your water usage and receive information that compares your hotel to hotels

of a similar type.

Check guestroom toilets for leaking valves by placing a small amount of food coloring in the toilet tank and seeing if it appears in the

toilet bowl. Replace valves when leaks are noted.

Laundry water usage can be reduced by the use of more water-efcient laundry equipment. If considering replacement of equipment,

the installation of washing equipment with microprocessor controls can reduce water usage.

Consider the installation of an ozone system in the laundry. Ozone laundry systems have been shown to reduce the need for water

and chemicals in laundry operations while providing high levels of cleaning and reduced laundry cycle times.

Additional Guidelines

Energy continued


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Foodservice operations can use substantial amounts of water. Do not thaw foods by running water over them.

In kitchen prep sinks, use spray-nozzles that automatically close to rinse dishes.

When purchasing new dishwashers, purchase Energy Star labeled products.

Water usage for irrigation should be monitored and minimized. Do not water roads and parking lots. Control irrigation via a rain

gauge or soil moisture sensor.

Install sub-meters on water lines serving cooling towers, swimming pools, and irrigation systems. Record the usage of water in these

areas. If this represents a substantial portion of your total water usage, investigate savings opportunities in these areas. You should be

able to get a sewer credit for cooling tower and irrigation usage.

Be sure water-cooled icemakers do not utilize potable water for cooling via a once through system. Replace once through ice-

makers with air-cooled icemakers or connect the icemakers to the chilled water system if one exists.

The priority in solid waste management is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. A good starting point for solid waste management is to per-

form a waste audit to categorize the content in the existing waste stream. And, after the actions below are initiated, periodic audits of

the waste stream are also recommended to identify further opportunities and problem areas.

Use the spreadsheet found on the AH&LA Website to record your hotels solid waste data.

Once you have collected data on your hotels solid waste generation and costs, review this for savings opportunities. Many haulers

have a pickup fee and a fee based on the amount of waste. It may be possible to reduce the frequency of pickup, especially if or as

solid waste reduction actions are taken.

Hotels may nd additional information on the EPAs Waste Wise site useful.

Contact your trash hauler and local solid waste recycling authorities to determine the regulations and opportunities for solid waste

recycling in your area. If you are in an area with several other hotels, you may wish to investigate shared services involving recycling

to reduce costs and coordinate efforts.

Eliminate or substantially reduce the use of individual bottles of water for meetings and breakout service. Replace individual bottles

with either larger refillable bottled water dispensers or with tap or filtered water table top dispensers similar to those used to dispense

other cold beverages such as lemonade or iced tea.

Eliminate or substantially reduce the use of disposable cups and dishes for meetings and breakout areas wherever feasible.

If you provide free newspapers to guests, make these available at central locations rather than delivery to each room (where brand

standards allow).

Implement back-of-house recycling programs. Most operations should be able to implement recycling in a cost-effective manner for

the following:Cardboard

Newspaper

Other Paper

Glass

Metals

Plastic

Printer and Toner Cartridges

Implement a guestroom recycling program. Some operations nd it easier to separate recyclables at the room level (via separate

waste receptacles for these) while others prefer to collect all waste and separate out the recyclables in a back-of-house area.


Water continued

Solid Waste


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If foodservice operations exist at the property, investigate the opportunities for the following food waste composting and donation of

unused food to local food banks.

All renovation plans should include methods to employ to reuse/recycle materials removed during construction.

Education/Resources

The hotels environmentally-conscious purchasing plan should consider life-cycle costs and testing of environmentally-responsible

products and services.

Information about the energy-efcient operation of buildings can be found by referring to the Building Upgrade Manual at the United

States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star site. The Upgrade Manual has a section specifically devoted to hotels

and motels as well as more general information.

There are additional resources on a range of environmental topics available from AH&LA and the Educational Institute.

The U.S. Green Buildings Council has established the Leadership in Environment and Energy Design (LEED) program to encourage

the development and operation of green buildings. LEED has a number of rating programs and standards that can assist properties in

identifying opportunities for environmental improvement and for achieving recognition for their efforts.

The U.S. EPA operates the Water Sense program whose goal is to reduce the usage of water in homes and businesses.

The U.S. EPA operates the Waste Wise program, which serves to assist businesses in reducing their solid waste production and in

purchasing of recycled products.

One important element of an environmental program involves the quality of the indoor air environment. A source for information on

this topic isBuilding Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Managers.

A particular indoor air quality problem in hotels over the years has been mold and mildew. An excellent source on dealing with themold and mildew problem is Commissioning Buildings in Hot and Humid Climatesby Odom and DuBose. Copies of this book are

available through a number of online book distributors.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has a number of standards and pub-

lications dealing with indoor air quality. Their publicationIndoor Air Quality Guide: Best Practices for Design, Construction, and

Commissioning,as well as a number of other materials is available via their Website.

The Federal Government operates an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program, which offers information on the pro-

gram, its standards, and products.


Solid Waste continued


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AH&LA Green Glossary

The following Green Glossary of Terms is offered to define and introduce special environmental and sustainability terms. It has been

developed to help you understand the AH&LA environmental guidelines along with its related business cases and best practices.

A

AAA Diamond The American Automobile Association hotel rating program that rates hotels form one to five diamonds.

Acoustical Ceiling Tile Ceiling tile designed to improve sound quality and block noise transmission.

Active Solar Heating Collection units absorb heat from the sun and transfer it through pumps or fans to a shortage unit for later use

or directly to the building interior. The system requires controls to regulate its operation.

Active Solar Water Heater Collection units absorb heat from the sun and transfer it through pumps to a storage unit. The fluid

in the storage unit conveys its heat to the domestic hot water of the building through a heat hanger. The system requires controls to

regulate its operation.

Aerator A device most installed on faucets to increase spray velocity, reduce splash, and save both water and energy.

Air Handling Unit A heating and/or cooling distribution mechanism that channels warm or cool air to different parts of a building.

The equipment includes a blower or fan, heating and/or cooling coils, as well as related controls, condensate drain pans, and air filters.

The unit does not include ductwork, registers, grilles, boilers, or chillers.

Albedo Also know as solar reflectance, this is the ratio of reflected solar energy to incoming solar energy over wavelengths of

approximately 0.3 to 2.5 micrometers.

Alternative Use License (AUL) In Brownfield redevelopment, AUL refers to a districts capacity to be rezoned to an alternative

acceptable use, taking into account the known contaminants of the site.

Ambient Air Open air, surrounding air, or outside air.

ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning.

ASHRAE 55-1992 ASHRAE standard: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy.

ASHRAE 62-1999 ASHRAE standard: Indoor Air Quality.

B

Bamboo flooring Bamboo is a grass (not a wood) that annually produces new shoots. Individual stems are harvested from

controlled forests every three to five years.

Benchmarking The process to measure the performance of energy, water and recycling for comparison with similar hotels. The

result is often a business case for making environmental improvements.

Biodegradable Capable of decomposing naturally within a relatively short period of time.

Broadloom Originally denoted carpet produced in widths wider than six feet. Today, carpet comes in 6-foot, 12-foot, and 15-foot

widths.


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B

Brownfields Abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated

by real or perceived environmental contamination.

Building Automation System (BAS) A system that optimized the start up and performance of HVAC equipment and alarm systems.

A BAS system increases the interaction among the mechanical subsystems of a building, improves occupant comfort, lowers energy

use, and allows off-site building control.

Building Related Illness (BRI) BRI refers to a diagnosed illness of which the symptoms of are identified and can be attributed

directly to airborne building contaminants.

Built Environment Buildings and infrastructure constructed by human beings.

C

Carbon An abundant chemical element on Earth. As the basis for all living things, carbon is present in particular abundance in a

solid and a liquid form in trees, other plants, and soils, and in various forms in all fossil fuels, including coal (solid), petroleum

(liquid), and methane (gas). Carbon bonds with oxygen in the atmosphere to form carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) A colorless, odorless, non-poisonous gas that exists in trace quantities (less than 400 parts per million) in

ambient air. Carbon dioxide is a product of fossil fuel combustion. Although carbon dioxide does not directly impair human health, it

is a greenhouse gas that traps terrestrial (I.e., infrared) radiation and contributes to the potential for global warming.

Carbon Footprint A cumulative measure of the impact a product, service, activity, company, individual or other entity has on the

environment, in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, and measured in units of carbon dioxide. These impacts usually

result from energy consumption, pollution, and other sources.

Carbon Neutral A combination of efficiency improvements (resulting in reduced carbon dioxide emissions), and purchases of

carbon offsets that balance 100% of a carbon footprint.

Carbon Offset A reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by a project (such as rainforest preservation) that is sold to a purchaser to

balance the purchasers own emissions. The funds generated by the sale of offsets support the development of additional reductions.

CERES A coalition of investors and environmentalists formerly know as the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies

Certified or Certification A process by which an independent agent verifies that the claims made by a product, service, etc. are

valid. Many certification programs exist through which products meeting independent standards may use a label or logo to indicate

their claims have been verified.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) A family of inert, nontoxic, and easily liquefied chemicals used in refrigeration, air conditioning,

packaging, and insulation, or as solvents and aerosol propellants. Because CFCs are not destroyed in the lower atmosphere, they drift

into the upper atmosphere, where their chlorine components destroy ozone.

CO2 Sensor A sensor for the measurement of gaseous carbon dioxide. Used in combination with energy recovery units or demand

controlled ventilation to promote energy efficiency. Used to maintain appropriate indoor carbon dioxide levels.


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C

Cogeneration The generation of electricity and the capture and use of otherwise wasted heat energy byproducts. Also referred to as

a combined heat and power (CHP) system.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) The generation of electricity and the capture and use of otherwise wasted heat energy byprod-

ucts. Also referred to as cogeneration.

Commissioning The process of ensuring that a buildings complex array of systems is designed, installed, and tested to perform

according to the design intent and the owners operational needs. The commissioning of new buildings is most effective when consid-

ered throughout the planning stages, and as early as the schematic design phase.

Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) or Lighting A type of fluorescent lamp. Compared to incandescent lamps of the same luminous

flux, CFLs use less energy and have a longer life.

Composite Material Complex material made up of two or more complementary substances. Composite materials can be difficult

to recycle (e.g. plastic laminates). They are best applied in situations where they can be removed for a reuse that does not require

remanufacture.

Composting A process whereby organic wastes, including food, paper, and yard wastes, decompose naturally and produce a materia

rich in minerals and ideal for gardening and farming as a soil conditioner or mulch, and for resurfacing or covering a landfill.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) A substitute for gasoline (petrol) or diesel fuels. CNG is considered to be an environmentally

clean alternative. It is made by compressing natural gas (which is composed mainly of methane [CH4]) in a percentage range of

70% to 98%.

Conventional Indicates the usual method of production. Used in contrast to green or environmentally-friendly production methods.

D

Data-Tracking The process of gathering energy, water and waste data for hotels to track there performance over periods of time.

Daylighting A method of illuminating building interiors with natural light and minimizing the use of artificial lighting. Common

daylighting strategies include the proper orientation and placement of windows, the use of light wells, or light shafts.

Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) Ventilation provided in response to the actual number of occupants and to occupant activity.

Demand Control Ventilation Using Carbon Dioxide Sensors A combination of two technologies: CO2 levels in the air inside a

building, and an air-handling system that uses data from the sensors to regulate the amount of air admitted.

Density Bonus A credit that allows developers to build more units than would normally be allowed in a certain zoning district by

exchanging the excess units for other community benefits, such as affordable housing, historic preservation, and green building.

DEQ Department of Environmental Quality (usually at the state level).

Digital Thermostat Energy saving devices that are manually programmed to allow users to control temperature settings. Digital

thermostats are more accurate than conventional thermostats and can be programmed with high and low set points. They can be used

with most heating and cooling devices.


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D

Down-Cycling The recycling of one material into another material of lesser quality. One example is the recycling of high-grade

plastics into lower grade plastics.

Dual Flush Toilet A toilet that has two buttons to allow appropriate water usage, typically ranging from one to two gallons.

E

EA Energy and Atmosphere section of the LEED rating system.

Eco-Friendly, Environmentally- Friendly a loose term often used in marketing to inform consumers about an attribute of a product

or service that has an environmental benefit. This term does not necessarily indicate all attributes of a product or service is environ-

mentally benign.

Energy-Efficient producing a high level of output or performance relative to the amount of energy consumed.

Emission The release of any gas, particle, or vapor into the environment from a commercial, industrial, or residential source,

including smokestacks, chimneys, and motor vehicles.

Emissivity The ratio of energy radiated by a specific material to the energy related by a black body at the same temperature. This is

a measure of a materials ability to absorb and radiate energy.

Energy Modeling A computer model that analyzes a buildings energy related features in order to project the energy consumption of

a given design.

Energy Recovery Units Mechanisms that extract energy from the indoor air (warm air in winter, cool air in summer) and transfer it

to the fresh incoming air.

Energy Star A United States government program that promotes energy efficient consumer products, programs and buildings.

Environmental Coordinator An associate who leads the hotels environmental committee and is responsible for developing an

environmental green plan for energy, water, and solid waste use.

Environmental Impact Any change to the environment, good or bad, that wholly or partially results from industrial manufacturing

activities, products or services.

EPA The United States Environmental Protection Agency, charged with setting and enforcing environmental regulations nationwide.

EPP Environmentally preferred product.

Exposed Aggregate The component pieces of a composite material used to resist compressive stress and visible in the end product.


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F

Fair Trade A certification scheme that evaluates the economic, social and environmental impacts of the production and trade of

agricultural products, in particular: coffee, sugar, tea, chocolate, and others. Fair Trade principles include: fair prices, fair labor

conditions, direct trade, democratic and transparent organizations, community development and environmental sustainability.

Fan Coil Unit (FCU) A small terminal HVAC unit often composed only of a blower and a heating and/or cooling coil (heat

exchanger) and frequently used in hotels, condominiums, and apartments.

Flashing A type of weatherproofing.

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) The ratio of the total floor area of a building to the size of the land of its location, or the limit imposed on

such a ratio.

Fly Ash The ash residue from high temperature combustion processes. Electric generating plants using western coal produce anon-toxic fly ash that, because of its very high calcium content, can be a substitute for Portland cement (the common bonding material

in concrete).

Formaldehyde A colorless, pungent smelling, toxic material used as a component for the glues of many wood products. It can cause

respiratory problems, cancer, and chemical sensitivity.

Fossil Fuels Fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, produced by the decomposition of ancient (fossilized) plants and animals.

Foundation Mat Slab Builders use mat-slab foundations to distribute heavy column and wall loads across an entire building area,

and to lower the contact pressure as compared to conventional spread footing. Mat-slab foundations can be constructed near the

ground surface, or at the bottom of basements. In high-rise buildings, mat-slab foundations can be several meters thick, with extensive

reinforcement to ensure relatively uniform load transfer.

FSC Products Forest Steward Council wood bearing the FSC logo guarantees that it was sustainably harvested from a certified, well

managed forest.

G

Going Green The Prince of Wales Foundation International Tourism Partnership (ITP) program is a primer and an excellent starter

program to develop energy, water, and waste conservation programs.

Green Making decisions based on an environmentally-friendly philosophy and conservation of natural resources

Green Field A piece of undeveloped land.

Green Globe Specific to hospitality, this international benchmarking and certification program is based on the Agenda 21

principles of Sustainable Development, providing a framework for managing sustainability programs and monitoring performance

and improvement.

Green Globes The green Building Initiatives green management program includes an assessment protocol, rating system and guide

for integrating environmentally-friendly design into commercial buildings.


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G

Greenhouse Gases Atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and sustain life on earth. Increasing concentrations

of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are altering the habitat humans evolved to thrive in; this is a process called global warming or

climate change. Greenhouse gases include: carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, ozone, methane, and CFCs.

Green Key The Canadian Hotel Association Eco-Rating Program is a graduated rating system designed to recognize hotels, motels,

and resorts that are committed to improving their fiscal and environmental performance.

Green Power This is a term used to describe sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly and non-polluting

such as geothermal, wind and solar power.

Green Seal An environmental standard for the hotel industry that focuses exclusively on developing environmental standards, and

certifying products, practices, and operations.

Green team Interdisciplinary team comprised of representatives from various operating departments that is committed to improving

the environmental sustainability of the property.

Greywater Wastewater that does not contain sewage or fecal contamination and can be reused for irrigation after simple filtration.

Gross Square Feet (GSF) The total area occupied by a building when measured from exterior to exterior. This area included all

mechanical areas.

H

Halons Man-made substances (also known as bromofluorocarbons) that are chlorofluorocarbons containing bromine.

Hardscape Paved areas such as streets and sidewalks, large business complexes and housing developments, and other industrial

areas where the upper soil profile is no longer exposed to the actual surface of the Earth.

HarvestedRainwater Rain that falls on a roof and is channeled by gutters to a storage tank or cistern. The uses of this water depend

on the existence and nature of pollutants that may have been picked up from the roofs surface.

Heat Island Effect Heat island refers to urban air and surface temperatures that are higher than those of nearby rural areas. Many

American cities and suburbs have air temperatures up to 10 F (5.6 C) warmer than their surrounding natural land cover.

Heat Recovery Systems Building mechanical systems that capture waste heat from another system and use it to replace heat that

would otherwise come from a primary energy source.

HVAC Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment that controls the ambient environment (temperature, humidity, air flow,

and air ltering) of a building. HVAC systems must be planned for and operated along with other data center components such as

computing hardware, cabling, data storage, fire protection, physical security systems, and power.

HVAC&R Heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine. HCFCs originally were

intended as replacements for CFCs, but they are only a temporary solution because they still contain chlorine and have the potential to

destroy stratospheric ozone.


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Hyrdonic HVAC Water based HVAC.

I

IACC International Association of Conference Centers.

IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

IEQ Indoor Environmental Quality section of the LEED rating system.

In Situ Remediation The clean up or remediation of a polluted site performed by using and simulating the natural processes in the

soil, in contrast to ex situ where contaminated soil is excavated and cleaned elsewhere off site.

Incandescent Light An electric lamp in which a filament is heated to produce artificial light. Incandescent lighting consumes moreenergy and is less efficient than CFLs or LEDs.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Pollution from gases or particles released into the air is the primary cause of indoor air quality problems.

Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions.

Infill Development Real estate development that occurs in a previously built area.

Integrated Design Multi-disciplinary teams of building professional work together from the pre-design phase through post-

occupancy to optimize a buildings environmental sustainability, performance, and cost savings.

Irrigation Supplying water to grass, trees, and other plants.

ISO The International Standards Organization provides an internationally accepted specification for an Environmental

Management System (EMS). The ISO specifies requirements for establishing an environmental police, determining environmental

aspects and impacts of products/activities/services, planning environmental objectives and measurable targets, the implementation and

operation of programs to meet objectives and targets, checking and corrective action, and management review.

K

Key Card Energy System An occupancy sensor system that used an inserted computerized card to activate or deactivate equipment

(e.g. heating, cooling, lighting).

Kilowatt Hour (kWh) A unit of energy measured at 1,000 watt hours.

Kilowatt Peak (kWp) A measure of peak kilowatt output (e.g. of a photovoltaic system).

L

LCD Liquid crystal display.

LED Light emitting diode.


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L

LEED The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building rating system. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based,

national standard based on a four level certification program that encompasses design techniques for the building envelope and

throughout the interior for new construction and renovations, as well as their operational program for existing properties.

LEED AP LEED accredited professional.

Life Cycle Cost The amortized annual cost of a product, including capital costs and installation, operating, maintenance, and

disposal costs discounted over the lifetime of the product.

Low E-Windows Low emissivity windows reflect heat, not light, keeping spaces warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

M

MERV The Minimum Efciency Reporting Value for air ltration.

MR Materials and Resources section of the LEED rating system.

N

Natural ventilation The process of supplying and removing air through an indoor space by natural means. There are two types of

natural ventilation for buildings: wind driven ventilation and stack ventilation.

Net metering A method of crediting customers for electricity that they generate on site in excess of their purchased electricity

consumption. Customers with their own generation offset the electricity they would have purchased from their utility. If suchcustomers generate more than they use in a billing period, their electric meter turns backwards to indicate their net excess generation.

Depending on individual state or utility rules, the net excess generation may be credited to the customers account (in many cases at

the retail price), carried over to a future billing period, or ignored.

NIMBY Not in my back yard.

NGO Non-governmental organization.

Non-profit A corporation that is organized for scientific, educational or charitable purposes in which there are no individual

stockholders and no part of the corporations income is distributed to its members.


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L

LEED The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building rating system. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based,

national standard based on a four level certification program that encompasses design techniques for the building envelope and

throughout the interior for new construction and renovations, as well as their operational program for existing properties.

LEED AP LEED accredited professional.

Life Cycle Cost The amortized annual cost of a product, including capital costs and installation, operating, maintenance, and

disposal costs discounted over the lifetime of the product.

Low E-Windows Low emissivity windows reflect heat, not light, keeping spaces warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

M

MERV The Minimum Efciency Reporting Value for air ltration.

MR Materials and Resources section of the LEED rating system.

N

Natural ventilation The process of supplying and removing air through an indoor space by natural means. There are two types of

natural ventilation for buildings: wind driven ventilation and stack ventilation.

Net metering A method of crediting customers for electricity that they generate on site in excess of their purchased electricity

consumption. Customers with their own generation offset the electricity they would have purchased from their utility. If suchcustomers generate more than they use in a billing period, their electric meter turns backwards to indicate their net excess generation.

Depending on individual state or utility rules, the net excess generation may be credited to the customers account (in many cases at

the retail price), carried over to a future billing period, or ignored.

NIMBY Not in my back yard.

NGO Non-governmental organization.

Non-profit A corporation that is organized for scientific, educational or charitable purposes in which there are no individual

stockholders and no part of the corporations income is distributed to its members.

O

Occupancy Sensors Mechanisms that automatically turn off lighting, HVAC, and/or electricity once a room is vacant.

On-site Renewable Energy Generation Electricity generated by renewable resources using a system or device located at the site

where the poser is used. On-site generation is a from of distributed energy generation.

On-site Sewage Treatment Treating waste water where it is produced for reuse by technologies that require non-potable water at

the same location.


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O

Organic Relating to products (foods, textiles, etc.) grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or hormones. It also

often means that products are not genetically modified. Use of the term is regulated by the USDA, but it is still generally used to

describe a production philosophy. Many organic growers believe the USDA Organic certification standard to be weak.

Ozone An unstable poisonous allotrope of oxygen (03) occurring in two forms. (1) Stratospheric ozone: In the stratosphere (the

atmosphere layer beginning seven to ten miles above the earth), ozone is found naturally and provides a protective layer shielding the

earth from ultraviolet radiations harmful effects on humans and the environment. (2) Ground level ozone: Ozone produced near the

earths surface through complex chemical reactions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and sunlight. Ground level ozone

is the primary component of smog and is harmful to humans and the environment.

P

PPM Parts per million.

Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) Equipment combining an air conditioner and a heater into a single, electrically-

powered unit typically installed through a wall and often found in hotels.

Paspalum Tall American perennial grasses commonly known as paspalums, Bahiagrasses, or Dallis grasses. They are most diverse

in subtropical and tropical regions.

Passive Cooling A buildings structure (or an element of it) is designed to permit increased ventilation and retention of coolness with

the intention of minimizing or eliminating the need for mechanical means of cooling.

Passive Design As applied to home construction, building design and placement permits the use of natural processes such as

radiation, convection, absorption, and conduction to support comfort levels.

Passive Heating A buildings structure (or an element of it) is designed to allow natural thermal energy flow, such as radiation,

conduction, and convection generated by the sun, to provide heat.

Passive Solar Water Heater A water heating system that does not require mechanical pumps or controls to create hot water for

domestic use.

Passive Ventilation The introduction and/or removal of air that used both convective air flows resulting form the tendency of warm

air to rise and cool air to sink, and takes advantage of prevailing winds. Many passive ventilation systems rely on building users to

control their operation.

PERC The Property and Environment Research Center.

Photo Plastic Laminate (P-Lam) A laminate is a material constructed by uniting (or bonding) two or more layers of material.

Examples of laminate materials include Formica and plywood. Formica and similar plastic laminates (such as Pionite, Wilsonart or

Centurply Mica) often are referred to as High Pressure Decorative Laminate (HPDL) because they are created with heat and pressure

that amounts to more than 5 lbf/in(34kPa).

Photovoltaic (PV) A system that converts sunlight directly into electricity using cells made of silicon or other conductive material.

When sunlight strikes the cells, a chemical reaction occurs, and this results in the release of electricity.


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P

Photovoltaic Panels Devices using semiconductor material to directly convert sunlight into electricity. Power is produced when

sunlight strikes the semiconductor material and crates an electrical current.

Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Content Material that has been recovered after its use as a consumer product. Examples include

fleece clothing made from pop bottles and reclaimed carpet tiles used for new tile backing.

Pre-consumer Recycled Content Material that is diverted from the waste stream following an industrial process. This excludes

reutilization of materials such as rework, regrind, or scrap capable of being reclaimed within the same process.

R

Recirculated Water Rinse water that is reused before it is discarded, or water continually moving through a system, as in a fountain

Reclaimed Water Wastewater (sewage) that has been treated and purified for reuse, rather than discharged into another body of

water (e.g. a river).

Recyclable Content Materials that can be recovered or diverted from the waste stream for recycling and reuse.

Recycled Content The percentage of recycled materials in a product, generally determined by weight.

Recycling The series of activities, including collection, separation and processing, by which products or other materials are

recovered from the solid waste stream for use in the form of raw materials for the manufacture of new products (other than fuel).

Regulation A federal agency imposes a regulation; Congress enacts a law.

Renewable Energy Energy resources such as wind or solar power that produce indefinitely without being depleted.

Renewable Resources Resources that are created or produced at least as fast as they are consumed.

RFP Request for proposal.

R-Value A measure of the thermal resistance of material, especially insulation.

S

SEER Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, as defined by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute.

SF Square feet.

Sick Building Syndrome A situation in which a buildings occupants experience acute health conditions and/or levels of discomfort

that appear to be linked to time spent in the building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. Complaints may be localized to

a particular room or zone.

SMACNA Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association.


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S

Smart Growth A range of development and conservation strategies that help to protect our natural environment and make are

communities more attractive, economically stronger, and more socially diverse.

Sound Attenuation A reduction in the intensity or pressure level of sound that is transmitted from one point to another.

SS Sustainable Sites section of the LEED rating system.

Sustainability Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

T

Toxic The attribute of any material or waste product that can produce injury and /or loss of life when inhaled, swallowed, orabsorbed through the skin.

U

United States Green Building Council (USGBC) A national organization, founded in 1993, whose mission is to accelerate the

adoption of green building practices, technologies, policies, and standards. USGBC established the LEED certification guidelines.

Urban Sprawl The unplanned, uncontrolled spreading of urban development into areas adjoining a city.

V

Variable Air Volume (VAV) An HVAC system strategy through which the volume of air delivered to conditioned spaces is varied as

a function of ventilating needs, energy needs, or both.

Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) A specific type of adjustable speed drive that controls the rotational speed of an alternating,

current (AC) electric motor by controlling the frequency of the electric power supplied to the motor. VFDs also are known as

adjustable frequency drives (AFD) variable speed drives (VSD), AC drives, or inverter drives.

Vegetative Roof/Green Roof A building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and soil, or is a growing medium,

and planted over a waterproofing membrane.

Veneers Thin slices of wood, usually thinner than 3.0 mm (1/8 inch), that are glued and pressed onto core panels (typically wood,

particle board, or medium density fiberboard) to produce flat panels such as doors, t

Minimum Hotel Green Guidelines

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