Lodging Engineer
Dyes: (carpet fibers and upholstery, bed of build-up without chemicals. Air duct a very responsible and cost efficient way
linens, drapes, etc.). Have any replace- cleaners certified by NADCA (National to conserve energy and put dollars back
ment products or attic stock be of low VOC Air Duct Cleaners Association) are quali- on the bottom line rather than the “energy
presence. This one is tougher because fied to maintain your coils, or any licensed expense” column.
of flame retardant treatments required in HVAC contractor.
PTAC Replacement When the time
most states, cities, and municipalities. So
Painters: Just like if you were doing it comes to replace these units, shop. Re-
drapes and bedspreads may be difficult to
yourself, low VOC paint products, stains, search what is new and available. There
locate.
and other finishes are readily available. are only about 7-10 companies (3-4 that
In addition, you probably use many out- Require MSDS on all products being used are dominant), so it won’t take long. I
side service providers for various aspects in your facility, and simply set the require- can tell you what is available today, but
of maintenance in your property. Here ment of green products. that doesn’t mean it will be current next
are some areas to look closely at to see if
Plumbers: Do not allow the use of chem-
month. However, the primary function
changes can be made:
icals to clear drains and other blockages
should be to control use when there is no
guest presence, and to allow comfortable
SERVICE PROVIDERS
at joints. Have your plumber use a cam-
era to locate the problem and a snake to
parameters for use when there is a guest
Carpet cleaners: All carpet companies
clear it.
in the room. Several systems are current-
now have access to effective and cost ef- ly available to do this, and they may cost a
ficient products and processes that do a
PTAC units: These have to be cleaned
little more, but what they save when that
great job and use no to low VOC prod-
just like large HVAC coils, and you will
meter turns is even greater.
ucts. I am sure many companies that
save money and create a better indoor
Electricity surge management – products
have these systems are beginning to ad-
environment. Enzyme products will keep
that collect normal energy during the day
vertise as well. The IICRC (Institute of In-
mold from coming back, or significantly
to redistribute the collected energy, so
spection, Cleaning, and Restoration Cer-
delay that process. A particular product
that when spikes happen there is less
tification) should have some information
names titanium dioxide, when used with
surge volume, thus less use of energy.
on their website about what companies
natural or artificial UV light, kills all mold,
have been trained and certified by them
mildew, and eliminates all odors. Air duct UV lights For keeping indoor environ-
in these products.
cleaners, some HVAC companies, and ments germ free and deodorized con-
some specialty companies offer a PTAC stantly. This is tough to put a tangible
Natural stone floor maintenance: Avoid
maintenance program. value on, but if the rooms and public
the use of any chemical processes here.
The use of diamond pads and water is the
Plant maintenance: There are many
areas did not have any odors to spend
only way to go. Again, this can cost less
pesticides that have no VOC presence.
your time with, pour chemicals on, or
hire contractors to fix, it just seems logi-
over an annualized period and make your
Trash removal: Insure your provider re-
cal that savings would occur. And if your
floors look like the natural product they are,
cycles all waste. Establish a program.
employees experienced less illness, thus
and not plastic. The use of chemical pro-
Window cleaning: There are relatively
less absence, how much value would that
cesses may cause damage to your floors,
new systems out that provide high qual-
deliver?
based on the products, training level of
ity low cost cleaning using recycled “wa-
the applicator, and application frequency.
Not long ago there were few alterna-
ter only” that leaves no soap residue on
Regardless, all of these chemicals outgas
tives to high VOC chemical products that
your windows, thus keeping them clean
VOC’s. Require sealers that are organic
worked, but that is now a different story.
four times longer. Building exteriors up
compounds and water based, if you must
Virtually every month new products and
to eight stories can be cleaned with these
use a sealer at all. Avoid waxes and other
services appear that support the “Green”
systems. No soap, no chemicals, less
coatings unless your provider can certify
movement. Most of these make sense.
water, less cleanings, and less cost…and
them to be green. The MIA (Marble Insti-
Many save money both short and long
cleaner windows longer!
tute of America) has standards and speci-
term, and help the environment at the
fications in their “Design Manual”, which OTHER AREAS OF CONSERVING
same time. Be the Ranger on recon pa-
sets the standard for the stone industry. ENERGY AND SAVING OPERATIONAL
trol, and be vigilant about eliminating the
Air duct cleaners: Ensure your service
BUCkS
enemy.
provider is not using any chemical com-
Most of these actions will save you 35%
Basically, if it comes in a plastic or metal
pound in the ducts. Some mold killers
-50% on energy cost, and the payback on
container, look closely at the VOC level.
and deodorizers are laden with toxins.
most of these products is six months.
Require service providers to produce
There are numerous processes to get dirt
Room energy management systems
MSDS’s that show VOC levels of prod-
to release and be vacuumed out. If mold
There are several wireless remote individ-
ucts they will use in your property. Be on
is present, there are green products to
ual room energy management systems on
the lookout for alternative products that
handle the situation.
the market, as well as PTAC’s that come
can make life better for guests and em-
HVAC maintenance: Your coil cleaning
with a wireless thermostat. Basically, un-
ployees. Don’t allow mediocrity. Set the
is the real energy saver here, and you
less the guest is in the room, it returns to
standard. Make the difference. Be the
should have a program to keep them free
pre-set parameters of lighting and HVAC
Ranger.
usage. At about $400 per room, this is
Rangers Lead the Way!
PAGE 17 | Fall 2009 | Lodging Engineer
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