Two new net-zero hotel projects could be a sign of things to come for the hospitality industry, which is ripe for efficiency improvement.
The industry comprises about 10% of all commercial real estate in the U.S., and has the highest energy use intensity (EUI) of all CRE sectors. The projects, the William Penn Hotel in San Francisco, and a new boutique hotel in New Haven, Conn., are on target to be the industry’s first net-zero buildings.
The New Building Institute, which tracks net-zero buildings around the country, says it has no verified net-zero hotels on file. New Haven’s Hotel Marcel, at 110,000 sf, will generate 100% of the power it needs for lighting, heating, and cooling, as well as for charging stations for electric cars from rooftop and parking canopy arrays. The green measures will cost about $5 per sf more than a standard-built project, with projected energy savings of about $1 per sf annually.
Developers of the San Francisco project plan to use the building as a lab for startups to test new products. The hotel will also add solar panels and make energy-saving upgrades.
Related Stories
| Dec 1, 2011
Safety tracking tool helping prevent injuries at World Trade Center site
Since putting in place their Safety Management Systems Tracking Tool three years ago, risk managers for the World Trade Center project in New York say they've seen workplace injuries, reported hazards, and workers compensation claims decline.
| Dec 1, 2011
OSHA releases new construction safety videos
OSHA released new safety videos to offer both employers and workers brief, easy-to-understand education about construction safety.
| Dec 1, 2011
GSA Region 5 BIM standards could set national agenda in government contracting
Learning how the GSA wants to work with contractors using Building Information Models (BIM) will dramatically improve your odds of winning federal work.
| Nov 23, 2011
Fenestration council seeks committee members
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is seeking members for a committee to pursue recognition of its ratings procedures from the American National Standard Institute (ANSI).
| Nov 23, 2011
Obama signs repeal of 3% withholding on government contracts
President Obama signed a bill that repeals a law requiring governments to withhold 3% of payments over $10,000 to contractors.
| Nov 23, 2011
USGBC launches app lab for LEED certification process
The U.S. Green Building Council has released the App Lab, a searchable catalog of third-party apps that are integrated with LEED data.
| Nov 23, 2011
Document gives advice on stormwater runoff management
The report, “Rooftops to Rivers II,” provides tips on how cities can use smart infrastructure and green building design to minimize pollution from stormwater runoff and other wastewaters.
| Nov 23, 2011
Zoning changes proposed to make New York City buildings greener
New York City will introduce new zoning proposals next month that would make it easier for building owners to add features that will make their properties more sustainable.
| Nov 18, 2011
AGC offers webinar on Davis-Bacon compliance
Webinar to be held in two sessions, Dec. 7 and 8 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. EST.
| Nov 18, 2011
New green construction code may help push LEED standards higher
The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is expected to set a floor for building standards and may create the opportunity for LEED certifications to push toward higher ceilings.
