by Shane Henson — July 23, 2012—VingCard Elsafe, provider of hospitality security worldwide and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, has partnered with Lutron Electronics, Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of light and shade control solutions, to offer hotel managers a total guestroom control solution package that integrates Lutron’s lighting, drapery and shade control modules with VingCard Elsafe’s Orion energy management system.
Through advanced occupancy-sensing technology, the comprehensive solution is designed to address the industry’s growing need to implement energy-saving strategies. In addition to maximizing guest comfort, hotels can expect to experience a 20-30% reduction in energy expenditures through the combined savings produced by light and temperature controls in unoccupied rooms, says VingCard Elsafe.
An integral component of the combined room control solution is VingCard Elsafe’s Orion system, which is comprised of wireless digital thermostats, occupancy sensors, door position interfaces, remote server software and a comprehensive dashboard reporting interface. The room control dashboard provides an overview of guestroom electronic systems, including occupancy status, locks, safes, lighting and total energy consumption. Orion automatically assumes control of ambient temperature when guestrooms are unoccupied, never allowing them to become either too warm or too cold.
Upon guests’ return, the system automatically resumes the preset temperature settings. Likewise, Orion interfaces with the hotel’s property management system to pre-condition the room upon guest check-in and automatically engage enhanced energy savings mode upon checkout. According to initial data gathered from existing installations of the Orion system, cumulative energy cost savings provide a quick ROI and increased year-after-year savings for hoteliers, says VingCard Elsafe.
Lutron’s in-room light and shade controls provide additional energy savings as well as enhance guest comfort, and provide total control of the hotel room environment. A user-friendly wireless Lutron Pico remote offers convenient bedside control, allowing guests to manually control multiple functions, such as adjusting lighting scenes to time of day and mood, and opening and closing motorized draperies and shades. A wall-mounted LutronseeTouch keypad will also be available.
The Lutron in-room control solution, called EnergiSavr Node, is a simple, programmable module for controlling light and saving energy. Ideal for hotel guest rooms, EnergiSavr Node modules can connect to wired or wireless occupancy/vacancy sensors, daylight sensors and wall controls. This phase-adaptive solution offers the flexibility of controlling all load types, making it an ideal solution for guest rooms, in which multiple light sources are often used. Guests will be able to enjoy the benefits of creating a rich, home-like environment in the comfort of their hotel room.
With its wireless communication protocol, EnergiSavr Node is reportedly completely scalable and can be expanded at any time, allowing guest room modifications to be easily accommodated within the system.
