Save your energy: ways your club can beat the energy crunch.

Over-loaded energy grids. Brown-outs and black-outs. An ever ballooning bottom line. Confused and irate members. The reality of energy shortages became a sobering reality in the aftermath of what happened in California last summer. Though energy prices went back down in proceeding months, it is obvious that the club industry needs to do everything possible to reduce energy use in order to keep its costs low, especially in this tightening economy.

So, where to begin?

"There are two ways to attack the energy problem," Chase Burritt, national partner for hospitality services with Ernst & Young in Miami, FL, shared, "from the demand side and from the supply side. The former will actually cut energy use, while the latter concentrates more on keeping `bottom line' more manageable. In the case of the demand side, it is probably best to concentrate on HVAC, as that, by far, is the largest consumer of energy."

Energy costs, in fact, are often second only to payroll in terms of operational expenditures.

"A fair estimate is that HVAC use 80 percent of the energy used, and lights only four to six percent. Thing is, people don't see air," Troy Hartmann, senior account manager for Smart Systems International in San Diego, CA.

Hartmann's firm, Smart Systems International, has developed a "fixed recovery time thermostat," which results in nearly a 28 percent savings in run time.

"When our company came into existence in 1992, the biggest complaint we heard was that rooms were either to hot or too cold. What we did was perfect a product that has a fixed recovery time, not a fixed set back. To achieve this, the product senses humidity as well as temperature. The result is achieved comfort and energy savings," Hartmann explained. The recovery time can likewise be calibrated anywhere from 0 - 99 minutes.

"When we first came into existence the utility companies didn't like us very much," Hartmann added. "Now it has gone full circle and we are virtually a godsend to them."

There are other worthwhile products that can help clubs control their use of energy due to HVAC operation. One, the GEM (Guestroom Energy Management) system, which is produced by Lodging Technology Corporation in Roanoke, VA, utilizes an infrared detection device to accomplish this for clubs with overnight guest rooms.

"Our unit is mounted in a room to detect body heat so as to determine if the room is occupied. We found studies show that typically the guest is out of the room over 60 percent of the time, and when that is the case it is beneficial for the club manager to have control of temperature settings," said William Fizer, president and CEO of Lodging Technology Corporation.

"So," he continued, "when the guest is in the room they have control of the temperature. However, when they aren't, GEM has a secondary thermostat that has set points that are determined by the manager. A real advantage here is the fact that while the manager can reduce energy use he doesn't have to shut the unit down completely which, of course, favorably affects recovery time."

Another way to streamline the way in which your club uses energy is to perform a comprehensive analysis through an energy system management company.

Johnson Controls, based in Milwaukee, WI, utilizes an information technology platform to perform various analyses such as load profiling, bill calculation, savings analysis, and measurement and verification. This information is used to create a comprehensive energy profile of your club, which can then be used to isolate what your particular energy needs are. The key to the entire process is Johnson Control's ability to independently negotiate with your various energy suppliers, saving you as much as 15 percent on your total energy bill.

However, perhaps the best way of conserving electricity is not to use it all. That is the principal that Steve Clark, president of Ultimate Comfort Systems, Inc, in Babb, MT, supports.

"From a cost effectiveness standpoint, electricity is not the best fuel source for HVAC," Clark said. "Natural gas is far better, being nearly 95 percent effective and, in most areas, far less expensive. That is the energy that we use to operate our total A/C and heating system."

Clark is quick to point out that the emphasis is on "system," as this is not just an appliance that can be added into a room. As a result it must be planned for in advance, either for a new building or during major renovations. Using an evaporative cooled chiller plant for cooling, the system has the same effect as jumping into a pool and then shivering when you come out, even though the temperature has not declined noticeably.

"One of the keys to the effectiveness of the system is the fact that unlike `through the wall' systems, we are not constantly bringing in new air to cool. Rather, we recover the air from the exhaust system which, again, adds to energy conservation and financial savings."

Clark estimates that saving can be as high as 70 percent, depending on climate, utility rates and the facility's structure itself. As well as these advantages, he also stresses that it is aesthetically pleasing as it is neither seen nor heard.

While from a `percentage' standpoint lights are not as important as HVAC, from a `perception' viewpoint they may be even more so. Perhaps the wave of the future where lighting is concerned is metal halide.

"There are several advantages this product has that we especially point to," said Mike Polk, account executive for Venture Lighting of Solon, OH. "It is highly energy-efficient as it produces a white light that is the closest thing to natural sunlight available. This is accomplished with a special reflector coating that captures and reflects light into cables. The cable, lamp, and reflector all work together for efficiency."

Polk goes on to explain that this product is especially beneficial for outside lighting, such as tennis courts and parking lots. It is so effective that the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas put them in their parking garage and then a mounted a giant billboard proclaiming, "Daylight Parking all Night Long!"

Another approach to saving energy at a property is the utilization of motion sensors. Paul Beyer and Karan Lee, members of the engineering staff at Marriott's Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, AZ, have found that there are a number of areas that only need light when someone is occupying the space, ranging from fitness rooms to various offices.

"The idea is that neither guest nor staff member should be inconvenienced by having to search for a light switch," Lee explained, "But that unnecessary energy is not expended when no one is around."

He went on to say that this is a relatively inexpensive way to save energy on a 24-hour basis, and that it seems to appeal to staff and guests alike.

In his breakdown regarding the two areas where energy costs can be reduced, demand and supply, Ernst and Young's Burritt suggested that it is beneficial to retain an engineer who has the ability to negotiate rates by working with several clubs.

This negotiation is especially effective in states where deregulation is in place regarding electricity," Burritt said. "Frequently, however, a loose `coalition' may help with negotiations in general."

Besides buying your electricity cheaper and conserving the electricity you buy, another solution is to make your own electricity. There are a number of reasons to self-generate power said Jim Watts, marketing manager for Ingersoll-Rand's new "Powerworks" 70-kilowatt `microturbine.'

"(The microturbine) effectively protects you from a black-out or brown-out, as you are able to produce power at your own facility. Nor do you have to worry about the quality of the power produced -- it maintains a 30 percent efficiency, which is the same you get off the grid."

Watts said that, economically speaking, this is especially advantageous in those states where electrical costs exceed those of natural gas. Further, because it co-generates (heat and electricity) it serves a double purpose in those states that tend to experience mostly winter-like temperatures.

Watts advises that maintenance on the unit is minimal, as it is a simple device with few rotating components. It also features low cycle costs. The only disadvantage that he sees is the fact that you need a room in which to store the unit: The 70 KW turbine is 3.5 ft. wide, by 7 ft. tall, by 6 ft. deep.

The options for addressing energy costs are numerous. But as analyst Chase Burritt points out, the only way that energy costs and usage can be reduced is if those people in charge do more than simply pay lip service to the cause.

RELATED ARTICLE: Deregulated states.

Following is a list of states that will be deregulated for electricity by January 1, 2002. Some are legally open, but suppliers may not be competing (Example: Arizona).

Arizona
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Washington, D.C.

If you have questions or would just like more information, please contact the individual below as indicated

Chase Burrit,
Ernst & Young,
305-666-6056

Troy Hartmann,
Smart Systems Inter.,
619-224-0294

Bill Fizer,
Lodging Technology Corp.,
877-436-7978

Steve Clark,
Ultimate Control,
440-836-7528

Mike Polk,
Venture Lighting,
603-430-7020

Jim Watts,
Ingersol Rand System, Inc.,
800-728-6674

Paul Beyer,
Karan Lee,
Marriott's Camelback Inn,
480-948-1700 Ext. 7788