by Ann Withanee — November 30, 2011—The Atlanta Marriott Marquis continues with its assertive stand in protecting the environment, according to a recent announcement. The major downtown convention center has installed additional high-tech energy management systems as well as sensors in guestrooms and meeting rooms, and has recycled 37 million of gallons of water from laundry usage to date.
Beginning November 2011, all 1,569 guestrooms and 94 suites will have Inncom Guestroom Occupancy Sensors, a door switch and a motion-detecting thermostat that are tied into the central energy management system server (EMS). When a guest enters the guestroom, the motion detector goes into occupied mode and the guest has full control of the guestroom heating and cooling. When the guest leaves the room, the temperature range slowly moves to the unoccupied mode.
Installed in six kitchen hoods, the Melink Intelli-Hood System controls the speed of the exhaust fans and air handler for the Bake Shop, Room Service, Cafeteria, and the Main Kitchen hood exhaust systems.
The property replaced 187 steam traps throughout the building. These Steamgard Steam Trap Replacement steam traps are designed to stop steam from passing through, but allow condensate to return to the boiler. The new steam traps have no moving parts, utilizing a venture nozzle to separate the condensate from the steam. Eleven percent consumption savings is attributed to the new traps.
Meeting room sensors installed in 48 meeting rooms activate a communication protocol from the hotel’s energy management system. Coordinated with the lighting dimming system software, lighting is automatically turned off when the room is not occupied and no motion is detected. Motion detectors and dimming ballasts were installed in all of the hotel stairwells, and 926 motion detectors were installed in all back-of-the-house associate areas.
In addition, the hotel has a light bulb and battery recycling program and uses energy-saving fluorescent lighting.
The hotel also instituted water-saving protocols: reclaimed water for in-house laundry; 1.28 gallons per flush toilets in guestrooms; automatic sensors on all public area plumbing fixtures; and water coolers in meeting rooms. Since 2005, Marriott reports that it has saved 37 million gallons of water.
Other Green Initiatives in place at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis include a single-stream recycling system; linen-less tables in Atrium meeting spaces; linen reuse program in guestrooms; room keys made of 50 percent post-consumer content; recycled pads and pens in meeting rooms; and “green” tips distributed daily to hotel staff.
To date, the vast array of eco-friendly programs at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis has generated $1.2 million annual savings. The hotel points to some of its program achievements:
- Recycled 37 million gallons of water from laundry usage
- Reduced energy consumption from light bulbs by 10 million kWh, a 28 percent reduction from the base year
- 30 percent improvement in Energy Star rating
- 30 percent reduction in natural gas
- 27 percent reduction in electricity
- Reduced energy consumption from light bulbs by 10 million kWh, a 28 percent reduction from the base year
