Resources for Hospitality

Training

Food Service Technology Center

The Food Service Technology Center—operated under contract to PG&E—offers educational seminars on energy performance in commercial kitchens.

See upcoming seminars

Pacific Energy Center (PEC)

Want to learn more about energy efficiency or find out what other industry professionals are doing to be more green? Sign up for energy efficiency training. Most classes and services are free for PG&E customers and for those who serve them.

Tips

Energy Efficiency for Hotels and Motels

  • Install CFLs and LED lighting in guest rooms and common areas for substantial energy savings.
  • Switch to variable-speed drives, allowing HVAC A/C motors to run slower than standard motors, increasing operating efficiency.
  • Add room occupancy sensors to control thermostats and lighting, which saves energy without compromising guest comfort.
  • Install new, energy efficient, large domestic hot water boiler.
  • Install an ozone laundry system to save significant amounts of energy by eliminating the need for hot water, while decreasing costs for bleach and detergent.

Shedding Load During Demand Response Events

  • Shutting down laundry operations during events, or using fewer washers or dryers
  • Turning off lighting and HVAC in unused meeting rooms
  • Changing HVAC set-points in common areas
  • Turn off one or more elevator banks
  • Pre-cooling during non-peak hours
  • Minimizing interior and exterior lighting
  • Turning off decorative features such as fountains and TV screens

Free or Discounted Programs

There are numerous free or discounted programs available to help hospitality facilities save energy. These include the LodgingSavers program, PECI Air Care Plus, or an Energy Watch Partnership (a local government program that is available in some areas.) These programs can offer many measures for free, or at highly discounted rates. The program administrators will walk you through the process of installation. Search for Energy Efficiency Implementation Specialists for the hospitality industry.

Frequent Projects by Hotels and Motels

  • Occupancy-based controls for in-room air conditioning and heating, which can be installed under LodgingSavers.
  • Lighting upgrades (CFLs, T8 lamps, cold cathodes) in guest rooms and common areas can be undertaken under LodgingSavers, and local government Energy Watch Partnership. Additional rebates exist for specific products.
  • Lighting upgrades to T8s and electronic ballasts for the back of the house can be made under LodgingSavers and Energy Watch Partnership. Additional rebates exist for specific products.
  • The Willdan Ozone Laundry Energy Efficiency Program offers incentives for the installation of ozone laundry systems. Additional product rebates exist for ozone laundry equipment.
  • Boiler retrofits can be covered under the Customized Retrofit Program or the Enovity Commercial Industrial Boiler Efficiency Program.
  • The Customized Retrofit Program provides for HVAC Retrofits such as cooling tower upgrades, waterside Economizers, and variable frequency drives.
  • Add boiler controls under the EDC Boiler Program or Customized Retrofit Program.
  • Business Energy Checkup
  • Enroll in e-bills
  • SmartMeter #1 in U.S.