HEI Hotels & Resorts: Energy performance

Better Buildings Challenge Partners strive to decrease portfolio-wide source energy use intensity (EUI) and to increase the percent improvement compared to a set baseline.  HEI's current portfolio consists of 46 hotels and over 10 million square feet. Since 2008, HEI has improved energy performance by an average of 1.9% each year for a cummulative savings of 11%. Energy savings have been achieved using their BBC Implementation Models the Energy Looking Glass (ELG) Dashboard and Chasing Quarters with Energy Set-Points (ESP) program, as well as an effective use of capital projects including lighting retrofits, programmable thermostats in all guestrooms, Chiller/Boiler/EMS replacements and VFD installations.

Looking at the percent improvement in energy performance across all properties can provide insight into how an organization is saving energy. HEI historically achieves an energy performance improvement of greater than 10% at properties that have been within their portfolio 4+ years. These hotels have completed all applicable capital upgrades and the standard energy conservation operational programs have taken root and are part of the hotel culture. Hotels that are below the 10% savings mark are relatively new to HEI and are in the process of completing their capital projects while implementing the operational programs.

Property-level energy performance metrics, including EUI and percent improvement to date, are critical to track progress over time and identify opportunities for additional energy savings. HEI's portfolio consists of properties with a range of baseline EUI values, most of which are between 100 and 300 kBtu/sq. ft. The majority of properties have shown energy improvement since 2008. The properties located near or below the 0% axis are new to HEI and are in the process of completing energy conservation related capital projects while continuing to develop a hotel wide culture to conserve energy. These hotels present good opportunities for further savings.