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 | Jun 24, 2015
Philadelphia considers more incentives for green building
Developers could be allowed additional height, floor area on projects that meet benchmarks.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015
LEED building at Duke University may be retrofitted to prevent bird deaths
More birds die from colliding with buildings at Duke than on any other campus in a 45-school survey conducted by Augustana College. Duke is located along the Atlantic Flyway, a bird migration route.
Codes and Standards | Jun 24, 2015
Balcony collapse in Berkeley, Calif., prompts an examination of codes
Dry rot and too much weight appear to be the causes of a fatal accident at an eight-year-old building in Berkeley, Calif.
Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015
Guides to wood construction in high wind areas updated
The guides establish prescriptive, wind-resistive structural requirements for wood-frame buildings of different sizes and shapes.
Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015
New document addresses school safety and security
In an effort to balance security and fire safety features within codes, standards and planning, NFPA hosted a two-day workshop, “School Safety, Codes and Security”, last December. The findings are now available in an NFPA report.
Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015
Two myths regarding NFPA 101 Life Safety Code debunked
NFPA life safety engineer Ron Coté settles the debate over second egress doors and exit signs.
Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015
How to prevent corrosion in sprinkler system piping
The technical committees responsible for NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, have been looking at ways to eliminate or reduce corrosion in sprinkler systems for several revision cycles.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2015
Steel Framing Alliance updates ‘Thermal Design and Code Compliance for Cold-Formed Steel Walls’ design guide
Includes results of new tests and addresses IECC and ASHRAE compliance paths.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2015
Helena, Mont., may charge commercial developers a fee to fund public art
The fee would apply to new construction or alteration of nonresidential buildings of at least 20,000 sf.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2015
DBIA releases new document on choosing a project delivery method
Provides owners and others with factors to consider when choosing the best method of delivery for their project.