The Coast Sundance Lodge is leaving a much smaller carbon footprint after installing a Sempa Hybrid Heating System™, which has helped the hotel cut its greenhouse gas-emissions by approximately 48 per cent.
By installing an electric-boiler system alongside a hotel's existing gas or propane heating system, Sempa's hybrid heating system uses real-time intelligent controls to track and manage heating demand, switching between natural gas or propane to electric heat depending on which source is the cheapest at any point during the day. The technology monitors fuel prices electronically and collects data on heating costs and greenhouse-gas reductions so users can track their energy savings online.
Since installing the hybrid heating system in March 2009, the Coast Sundance Lodge has trimmed its greenhouse-gas emissions by approximately 65 tonnes -- the equivalent to taking 18 Honda Civics off the road. The system has also helped the hotel cut its heating costs by $22,040, a 26 per cent reduction in total energy costs, and also reduced the hotel's overall energy consumption by 11 per cent.
"The Coast Sundance Lodge has introduced many new environmental initiatives over the past year, but the hybrid heating system has made the biggest contribution towards reducing our greenhouse gas emissions," said Doug Andrews, Hotel Manager of the Coast Sundance Lodge. "Travellers today increasingly want to take steps to minimize their holidays' environmental impact. By establishing new and practical ways to save energy, reduce waste and recycle, the hotel can provide a great guest experience that's good for the environment, good for the community and good for business."
Complementing the hybrid heating system, some of the other eco-friendly steps the hotel has taken include: introducing key cards made from recycled materials, using biodegradable garbage bags, turning down heat in unoccupied room, installing energy efficient lighting in all guest rooms and public areas, replacing paper towels with washable kitchen cloths, using microfibre mops and dusters, providing guests with shampoo, bath gel and lotion in bulk containers to reduce the number of small bottles used, and donating old linens and lost and found articles to local charities.
"At Sempa we're proud to have played a role in helping Coast Hotels & Resorts build a more sustainable business," said Ron Dizy, President and CEO, Sempa Power Systems Ltd. "It's great to see that the hotel is being rewarded with the economic benefits of hybrid heating and reducing its environmental impact."
The Coast Sundance hybrid heating project involved the installation of a 135 kilowatt (kW) electric boiler and two new 2.1 million British Thermal Units (MBTU) medium high efficiency gas boilers. The hotel's piping configuration was upgraded and a new state-of the-art building automation system installed to provide monitoring and control of the system. The $274,000 project is expected to pay for itself in approximately six years in annual energy savings.
Sempa Power Systems Ltd. has also installed a hybrid heating system at the Hillcrest Hotel, a Coast Resort, in Revelstoke, B.C. The Coast Blackcomb Suites at Whistler, which is scheduled to open in December 2009, has three hybrid heating systems in place.
About Coast Sundance Lodge
Coast Hotels & Resorts' Coast Sundance Lodge is one of the most favoured hotels at Sun Peaks Resort offering four seasons recreation vacationing as BC's second largest ski resort. Coast Sundance Lodge is a deluxe, full service hotel located at the base of the Sundance high speed quad chair at Sun Peaks Resort just 45 minutes north of Kamloops, B.C. This village base location enables guests to enjoy a ski in and ski out winter vacation as well as hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, tennis, horseback riding and golfing at Sun Peaks' new 18-hole course in the spring, summer and fall. The Coast Sundance Lodge features well appointed rooms and lofts, as well as one and two bedroom suites. All of rooms are equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee machine, and complimentary high speed Internet. Full kitchens, fireplaces and balconies with mountain views are available upon request.
About Coast Hotels & Resorts
Coast Hotels & Resorts is a leading hotel chain in western North America. The company's philosophy of serving its guests through a superior standard of value, hospitality and service enables its continuing expansion. Coast Hotels & Resorts now owns, manages and franchises 42 hotel and resort properties located throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, the western United States, Alaska and Hawaii. Visit www.coasthotels.com or call 1-800-663-1144 for more information.
About Sempa Power Systems Ltd.
Sempa Power Systems Ltd. is a world-leading alternative energy company with a patent-pending Hybrid Heating Solution™. Sempa provides technology and implementation services to help commercial building owners and managers dramatically lower energy costs, significantly reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and cut energy consumption. More information can be found at: www.sempapower.com
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For additional information, please contact:
Holly Dollinger
Sempa Power
Hdollinger@sempapower.com
