The Refinishing Touch Blog

It was great to read this week that the Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel & Ski Resort in California has made a huge reduction in spending on energy. They have managed to spend $25,000 less than expected and the director of engineering at the 400-suite property, David Hansen, said that this could come close to a total of $500,000 in energy savings by the end of 2009!

The company compared this year's figures to last year's, and found the considerable drop. Amongst its staggering results, the resort found that its electricity consumption had been reduced by 575,000 kilowatt hours ($98,902 in savings) while natural gas consumption had dropped by 9,314 dekatherms ($67,709 in savings). Additionally, the hotel has experienced increased efficiencies in waste management, saving 48 tons of waste from being sent to landfill, translating to $15,250 in savings in waste management alone.

The hotel began its energy saving efforts in January of this year after completing a property survey. The Lake Tahoe team then began rolling out a series of energy-saving improvements at the cost of an estimated $200,000. Hansen told investors that it was estimated to take two years for payback, but the systems have produced far greater results than predicted. Adjusted figures now show that property owners will recover their investment within 10 months.

The process began with the purchase of a web-based energy management system which allows the property to better manage heating and cooling in meeting rooms, ensuring that heating and cooling was not being used while the spaces were unoccupied. Motorized dampers were then installed on outside air returns, allowing the hotel to be cooled without air-conditioning during Lake Tahoe's short summers.

We've talked a great deal about energy spend reform on our blog. In this case, anyone can see that the efforts put forth have yielded truly significant results. The resort has implemented many more small changes in its continued efforts to save energy including a new laundry system, pumps which run at variable frequencies and fans being put on timers.

All in all, these small changes have resulted in huge savings in both energy and money and the hotel's efforts really should be celebrated! It just goes to show what can be achieved when energy efficiency is properly assessed.

Labels: Embassy Suites, Energy Efficiency, Hospitality

Here at TRT, we were particularly interested in a recent story on treehugger.com which looked at how the city of Amsterdam is taking hold of smart energy spending with the pilot of the 'smart grid.'

As the smart grid is the next big green buzz word, many eyes are on Amsterdam following their announcement for plans to implement the new program, managed by IBM, Cisco and Dutch Utility Nunon. Around 500 homes throughout the city will be fitted out with energy management systems which will include smart meters and energy monitors.

If you're still unsure of what a smart grid is, have a quick glance over this definition.

Those selected to participate will benefit from cutting their C02 emissions by 'at least 14%' as a part of the pilot program. Combined reductions across the community are expected to enable the city to reach its goal of reducing green house gas emissions by 40% from levels recorded in 1990 by the year 2025.

Making energy consumption transparent will raise awareness and understanding, and will help those who see energy as invisible to make better decisions. The increased knowledge and awareness will have everyone thinking about energy efficiency more often than when the bill comes through the door.

Marthin de Beer, senior vice president of Cisco's Emerging Technologies Group said 'Giving the citizens of Amsterdam more information and better control over their energy use will cut down on costs and consumption as well as reduce their overall impact on the environment. Innovative cities like Amsterdam recognize the opportunity in using the standards-based intelligent communications network as a platform for economic development, better city management and improved quality of life for citizens. With this pilot, we hope to demonstrate how smart and connected communities can be more energy conscious and more green.'

It's great to see global momentum taking hold of green initiatives. As Amsterdam embraces this new plan, we hope to see many more cities following suit around the world, and throughout the US.

Labels: Amsterdam, Energy Efficiency, Green Cities, smart grid

How can a recession translate into a greener economy? Recently, we discussed techniques for sales divisions to adopt for increasing business. Now, we'd like to focus on another initiative that all companies should take into consideration during a time of recession - taking time to revaluate current business practices. No matter what the current status of your business is during this time of turmoil and uncertainty, it's essential to look at your business, revaluate practices, and strategize new tactics to increase productivity and the bottom line as well as save money.

In a recently article entitled, "How the Recession Means More Green Buildings (and Why That's Good for the Economy)" shines a green light on the current economic depression we are in. While many companies revaluate business practices, it is also important to also consider the consumer and what is important to them as we move through these difficult economic times. In a survey done by the Opinion Research Corporation, 73% said they would pay more for products that are better for the environment and 89% said they would pay more for products that will reduce heat and cooling costs. Consumer behavior seems to be following the trend of "going green." With this in mind, businesses should consider ways to go green with the consumer in mind and areas that are most important to them when it comes to going green. This will not only cause an increase in sales, it will also cut overall costs in the long run. Consumers and businesses want to affiliate with companies that have a green plan and doing their part to help the environment.

With 2009 just around the corner and President elect Barack Obama preparing for office by assembling a green dream team, we at The Refinishing Touch believe green renovation is one of the most important ways business' can improve the environment and the bottom line. We have been in business for over 30 years, focusing on renovation and refinishing which not only benefits the environment but also helps your company in the long run. We are looking forward to seeing the country move towards a more sustainable future through Obama's proposal of a new public works program which will include not only a great number of jobs, but a focus on energy efficient buildings. The demand to go green and focus on green renovation and remodeling may provide the boost the economy needs while also providing many new jobs.

Labels: Business, economy, Energy Efficiency, Green

We were digging through some past articles about 'Going Green,' when we stumbled upon one that really caught our attention in The New York Times back in July, called "Green, Greener, Greenest." The article focused on how colleges and universities can't resist be noted for a 'best' ranking. We believe going green on college campuses creates an opportunity to both the students and administration of the school.

This year was the first year The Princton Review included a new category; the "green rating" in its annual guide for colleges. The ranking was generated by points gained from such things as renewable power sources, energy-efficient buildings, and "environmentally preferable food." It was noted that now some schools have even begun creating sustainability-related degrees.

An interesting statistic that came from a Princeton Review survey of 10,300 college applicants said that 63 percent of applicants' decisions could be influenced by a college's commitment to the environment.

Some colleges with the top ratings were Arizona State, Bates, Binghamton University, the College if the Atlantic, Harvard, Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Yale and the Universities of New Hampshire, Oregon and Washington.

Now with this 'Going Green' campaign growing enormously day-by-day, colleges will be striving to be the 'top green campus.' We at the Refinishing Touch have helped many colleges in their effort to go green by refinishing existing pieces of dorm furniture which is turn saves the environment and cuts costs at the college. We plan to help many more colleges and universities in the future and will help them achieve the ranking of 'Greenest' college which they desire.

Labels: 2009, Calculate your Carbon footprint, College, Education, Energy Efficiency, energy efficient buildings, Green, green rating, New York Times, renewable power, The Princeton Review, university

We all witnessed, and many of us participated, in what will be remembered for generations to come as a landmark election in the history of the United States.

Today our world is facing many serious problems. Currently, the most pressing and on everyone's minds is the financial crisis, however, another serious problem, with deeper and longer lasting effects, is global warming.

With Barack Obama and Joe Biden taking office in January 2009 we will hopefully begin to see a renewed focus on the environment. To date, they have outlined some ambitious plans to combat global warming. At the top of the list is the goal to reduce carbon emissions 80% by 2050. They would start reducing emissions immediately upon taking office and implement a mandate that would reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Obama and Biden are planning to use a cap-and-trade program to reduce emissions. An overall national cap on carbon emissions would be established and companies would be given an allowance that represents a permission to emit a certain amount of carbon. A bartering system would be established allowing companies to buy and sell allowances. Companies able to reduce pollution at low cost would be able to sell extra allowances to companies facing high costs. The number of allowances would be reduced each year to coincide with the annual reduction targets.

Currently, there are three main laws in support of furniture refinishing for Federal departments and agencies they include; Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, USC Title 40 which points out the Federal Government may not purchase furniture if the Adminstrator of General Services detmines that the needs could be met by transferring excess furniture from other departments including refinished furniture and the Executive Order 13423 signed by George W. Bush to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3% annually through the end of 2015.

Under the new administration, they are also planning to establish national standards to ensure that less carbon intensive energy is used in our energy supply. And it will be important to see how the current laws in support of furniture refinishing are supported moving forward.

Energy conversation will be a high priority. Obama and Biden plan to make the Federal Government the leader in saving electricity by making federal buildings more energy efficient and revamping Federal Efficiency codes. Conserving existing resources and assets is truly critical. Whether the focus is on energy or recycling to decrease landfill dumping - we believe the government (on a federal and local level) and corporate America need to be accountable for utilizing existing assets.

We are looking forward to seeing focus on the environment from the new administration. Cost savings and concern for the environment to reduce carbon footprints should be a priority for everyone including; businesses, the hospitality industry and the government. If you haven't already looked at the Obama and Biden energy and environment plans take an opportunity to see their plans.

Labels: Election, Energy Efficiency, Environmentally friendly furniture, Green, Politics