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
Codes and Standards | Mar 21, 2017
Calif. shopping center is first to earn BREEAM USA In-Use certification
The certification measures and monitors environmental performance of existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2017
Professional liability insurance rates for architects and engineers expected to be stable in 2017
Premiums leveled off in 2015, and claims have been stable, helping to hold costs down.
Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2017
Energy Star program at risk
The standard-setting initiative for energy-efficient products may be a victim of Trump budget cuts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 14, 2017
Timber Innovation Act to promote tall wood buildings introduced in Congress
The measure has bipartisan support.
Codes and Standards | Mar 13, 2017
U.S. House and Senate have voted to repeal Dept. of Labor’s 'blacklisting' rule
The rule mandates labor compliance review for federal construction contractors.
Codes and Standards | Mar 9, 2017
WiredScore forms Connectivity Advisory Committee
The committee's creation is an important step forward for the group that evaluates internet connectivity in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 8, 2017
New guide examines multifamily high-performance ventilation
The focus is on cost and performance of various systems.
Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2017
Canada’s national building codes will encompass effects of climate change
Forecasted data, not historical data, will be used as the basis for the codes.
Codes and Standards | Mar 6, 2017
ConsensusDocs updates standard short contract editions
The updates address industry changes impacting insurance, legal, technology, and terminology.
Codes and Standards | Mar 3, 2017
ASCE updates standard for structures using tensile membrane
The new sstandard combines guidelines for conventional tensile membrane structures with frame-covered membrane structures.
