LOS ANGELES— Blackouts may become a more common occurrence for California residents and hoteliers as summer sets in. Bert Tabrizi, GM of the 189-room Park Plaza Hotel in Oakland, CA, is anticipating that “this summer is going to be a rude awakening for people.” As temperatures rise, electricity usage will likely increase, causing more blackouts. However, Tabrizi noted that preparation for blackouts is easy if reports of when power grids will temporarily be shut off are followed. Although the hotel is not equipped with a back-up generator, Tabrizi said, “We are staying put and not doing anything now. We’ve looked at installing a back-up generator for emergency purposes, but to have limited power it would cost us nearly $82,000.” Combined with the fact that this amount is not readily available, he added, back-up generators can only be used for 50 hours per year. The hotel has, however, taken one measure toward decreasing electricity usage. “We used to use 90-watt lights in the guestrooms, now we’re using 28-watt lights. That’s a 68% reduction in usage for those lights.” In contrast, the 541-room Fairmont San Jose has implemented approximately 20 energy conservation initiatives to support California’s power challenge, ranging from reducing the wattage in ceiling lights to changing the soap in the laundry machines so that units can work at a lower temperature. Les Voorhees, director/engineering for the hotel who is also overseeing the conservation program, noted that, so far, the most effective energy-saving initiatives have been regularly changing air conditioning filters to ensure they’re working properly and efficiently, and making sure the AC&H units in the restaurants and dining rooms are turned off late at night. He further noted that closing guestroom drapes when the room is vacant also helps control the temperature at the hotel. Since the implementation of the conservation program in April, the Fairmont San Jose has already seen a 20% reduction in its energy bills. The hotel is also working toward rebuilding its domestic water softeners and cooling towers to make them work more efficiently. In addition, the hotel has created a Power Bar give-away as an incentive for employees to help conserve energy costs. “I have employees bringing me suggestions now like, ‘Should we do this,’ or ‘Should we try that?’ They’ve been very supportive,” said Voorhees. However, he added that “it’s been really hot lately,” and that while he’s “worried about June and July,” he feels that the Fairmont implemented its initiatives early enough that it should be well prepared for the scorching summer months. Teresa Holden, director/sales and marketing at the 258-room W Los Angeles, noted that a committee composed of department staff members was recently formed. The committee put together an internal action plan— turn off office lights, lower the air conditioning, shut down computers, etc.— to help reduce energy use. Using a novel approach— bug-shaped stickers— staffers are gently reminded when they fail to conserve. Those who don’t pass daily inspections are “zapped” with the energy bugs, alerting them they’ve been remiss. “It’s a reminder that over the long run these measures add up,” said Holden. In addition, at night the security staff inspects vacant rooms to ensure energy-consuming items such as lamps, radios and televisions are turned off. Holden said lighting in the sales and catering offices has also been changed. The overhead fixtures usually contain three bulbs; now there are only two. Although the lighting has been cut by 33%, “the difference was almost imperceptible,” she said, adding that they tested the concept before implementing it to make sure everyone was comfortable with the decision.
