Green Initiatives
A summary of initiatives and projects from 2006 thru 2010
High Efficiency Windows – 2006
o Low E thermo-pane insulating glass panels
o sound insulating film
o floor to ceiling & wall-to-wall windows – harnessing the maximum available natural light
o All guestrooms have 2 operating windows allowing guests to open them and take
advantage of free cooling if they choose.
o Reducing electricity use by approximately 82,000kWh annually.
o Reducing natural gas use by approximately 975 Dth annually.
Electrolyzer – Chemical free cleaning system
o The genesis of our green initiatives was our implementation of a property-wide adoption
of chemical free cleaning. We were the first hotel in the U.S. to use completely non-toxic
cleaning on a property-wide basis.
InnCom – Guestroom Energy Management System Installation
o Installed an InnCom Guestroom energy management system which is interfaced with the
property management system to manage HVAC set back temperatures and senses
occupancy during rented periods.
o Reducing annual electricity use by 455,088 kWh annually
o Reducing annual natural gas use by 2,800 Dth annually
Smart Cars – Buzz & Beep
o The first hotel to own two fuel-efficient and eco-friendly Smart Cars by Mercedes Benz as
hotel courtesy vehicles. http://www.hotelsmartcar.com
Recycling Programs
o Paper
o Plastics
o Metals
o Cardboard
o Cooking oil
o Mercury containing light bulbs
o Lighting ballasts
o Alkaline batteries
o Removed 85 Tons of recyclables from our waste stream in the first 3 years
Installed Occupancy sensors for control of lighting in:
o Offices
o Storage rooms
o Mechanical rooms
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Energy Star rated equipment installed when available:
o Ice machines -2008
o Guestroom televisions – 2008
o Kitchen equipment – 2009 & 2010.
Dish Machine replacement – 2010
o Install high efficiency dish washer
o The HEDW designed for the high-volume food service operation, sets new industry
standards in overall productivity, efficiency and service life. The machine features an
exclusive two-stage auxiliary rinse system that provides the most efficient water
distribution and heat transfer in the business.
Implemented linen and towel reuse program, upon guest request
Provide walking maps to our guests, and encourage the use of public transportation.
Smoke-Free Since 2007
Installed Low flow toilets – 2007
Installed Low flow shower heads – 2007
o Reducing water use by 1,125,000 gallons annually
Installed Waterless Urinals – 2008
Installed touch less motion sensing plumbing fixtures in all public restrooms
Installed Bio-Amp Biological Drain Maintenance System
o To reduce grease waste by 50%
Eliminated the need for two pool pumps - 2008
o Redesigned Roof Top Pool piping system to eliminate one of two existing pumps
Implemented Green purchasing Policies
o Our purchasers work to identify and assess greener alternatives to currently used products and
materials, and to weigh suppliers’ environmental performance and initiatives in purchasing
decisions.
o Buy locally produced products whenever possible
Increased the number of annual HVAC Preventive maintenance cycles by 25% to increase
equipment efficiency and save energy.
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Comprehensive daily utility use reviews and detailed monthly reports to identify trends
and address inefficiencies quickly.
Use green building products and suppliers whenever possible during renovations
o Low or no VOC paints
o Low or no VOC adhesives
o Wallcovering
o Carpet
o Seating
Partnered with Green Vendors for services
o Dry Cleaning
o Pest Control
o Commercial Cleaning Contractor
Memberships:
o Energy Star Partner
o Boston Green Tourism
o EPA WasteWise Partner
o Boston Shines
Annually participation in Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s “Boston Shines”
neighborhood clean-up program
Benchmarked Facility through the EPA’s EnergyStar program, with a goal to become
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Energy Star rated by 4 Qtr. of 2011.
o The Energy Star rating serves as our primary benchmark for our entire energy related
green initiative program
o With the assistance of the EPA guidelines and online resources, Nstar Electric, Bluestone
Energy LLC, and our vendors, we were able to develop a master plan for reducing our
energy consumption as quickly as possible and in a cost effective manner.
o Reaching this milestone would represent an increase in efficiency of 70%
o Bluestone Energy LEED Engineers forecast that upon completion of our 2010 energy
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efficiency projects by October 31 , 2010, our EnergyStar score will be 82. Placing us in
the top 18% of our industry peers in energy efficiency.
Reduced energy consumption in 2010 vs. 2007
o Electricity 25%
o Natural gas 25%
o Water 19%
o (Savings calculated from use per occupied room)
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High efficiency electric motors and Variable Frequency Drive Installations
o Installation of more than a dozen VFD w/high efficiency electric motors totaling almost
300HP.
2 – 40 HP condenser loop pumps
2 – 50 HP condenser loop pumps
1 – 20 HP garage exhaust fan controlled by CO detection
2 – 7.5 HP domestic water boost pumps
1 – 7.5 HP hydronic heating loop pump
2 – 5 HP air handler fan motors
2 – 10 HP make-up air fan motors
2010 Energy Efficiency Projects
State of the art Chiller Plant Installation Capital Energy Reduction Project of 2010
o Project is currently 85% complete, as of 9/19/2010
o Installation of Turbo-core frictionless variable drive chiller - July of 2010
Replaced two aging 165 Ton chillers with one 250 Ton high efficiency unit
o LEED Certified Engineers have analyzed actual run data that shows the new chiller plant
is providing 80% savings from the previous system.
Projected annual savings of 640,000 kWh of electricity annually (based on 2010
cooling demand)
Installation of a new building automation system
o Replaced existing Energy Management System and expand the number of points
controlled.
Projected annual savings of 320,000 kWh of electricity annually
Install new energy efficient lighting throughout the hotel.
o Resulting in saving 295,000 kWh annually
Guestrooms – LED lighting retrofits resulting in a reduction in lighting load of
25,000 watts
Ballroom – LED lighting retrofits resulting in a reduction in lighting load of 3,800
watts
Restaurant – LED lighting retrofits resulting in a reduction in lighting load of 5,000
watts
Parking Garage – Super T-8 lighting retrofits resulting in a reduction in lighting
load of 5,700 watts
Lobby and other front of the house retrofits account for a reduction in lighting
load of 6,100 watts
Kitchen, offices and other back of the house retrofits account for an additional
reduction in lighting load of 15,700 watts
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Installation of more than 600 Electronically Commutated Motors in our existing guestroom
fan coil unit blower boxes.
o Retrofit blower boxes now use .75 Amps as compared to existing 3.75 Amps.
A savings of 80% over the previous motor and blower combination.
Projected to reduce annual electricity consumption by 726,000 kWh
All of the above measures listed above have/are projected to reduced the electricity use at
The Colonnade Hotel by an additional 40%
Future Planned Projects:
Funding provided from the savings resulting from the projects completed and or currently
underway.
o Auto flame boiler combustion control & management system
o Add additional points to Building Automation System
Exterior lighting controls
Prive VAV boxes
Executive Offices VAV boxes
Lobby air handling units
o Intelli-Hood kitchen exhaust control system
o Additional variable frequency drive installations
We have identified another 60 hp of HVAC motors well suited for high efficiency
motor installation and VFD controls
o All continued capital equipment replacements to be upgraded to Energy Star rated or
super high efficiency equipment.
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