Home Energy Management Radisson Blu Mall of America: a Green Star in the Gopher State

Radisson Blu Mall of America: a Green Star in the Gopher State

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BLOOMINGTON, MINN.—The 500-room Radisson Blu Mall of America was green out of the gate when it opened in March this year just next to the bustling 520-store Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. A highly energy efficient building, typical of all new Radisson Blu properties, it is on its way to be the first hotel in Minnesota to achieve LEED certification.

While the hotel is the second Radisson Blu in the United States, all future hotels will strive for LEED certification.

“Why would we do it any other way?” says Ted Lorenzi, Senior Director of Technical Services, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “Building in the most energy efficient and sustainable way possible just makes good business sense and keeps our guests comfortable and happy.”

The team behind the design of the building not only had to consider energy efficiency but soundproofing as well. The hotel is close to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Energy-efficient triple glazed windows were installed. These reduce airplane noise and heating and cooling costs. In addition to fiberglass insulation in the walls, spray insulation was used.

Sensor-Based Systems Keep Costs in Check

A guestroom energy management system (EMS) puts the thermostat in an energy-saving mode when guests are not present. In the future the EMS will be tied into the hotel’s property management system. This will allow hotel associates to put some rooms into an even deeper energy-saving mode when rooms are vacant. A sensor-based system turns lights off in the guestroom 30 minutes after guests have exited.

Ninety percent of the lighting throughout the property is LED lighting.

“One of the great things about LED lighting is that it’s significantly cooler than other forms of lighting,” says Lorenzi. “So the light output is better, the color is great and it helps reduce our cooling costs, too.”

Efficient mechanical systems and controls include an air-cooled chiller and DX cooling and variable frequency drives on the heating and cooling pumps. These and other efficiency items have resulted in an overall energy savings of 23 percent.

With the assistance of Excel Energy, the hotel’s owners were able to take advantage of a rebate totaling $86,700 to help offset investments in energy efficiency.

“Our chef also got a nice rebate from CenterPoint Energy for using energy-efficient equipment in the kitchen,” says Scott Huston, Director of Engineering at the hotel.

Effective Recycling Program

Efficient water fixtures ensure maximum water savings and the hotel has an aggressive recycling program to reduce waste to landfill.

“We recycle everything we can,” Huston says. “We do have bins in guestrooms. In meeting rooms we also have recycling bins. In our kitchen and cafeteria we have a special bin for food waste.”

Food waste is taken to a pig farmer for his pigs. “Our next initiative is to go to food composting—a large bin that all food waste goes into,” Huston says.

Keeping the sustainability initiatives rolling is a green team led by Huston. The team includes the assistant director of engineering and manager and hourly representatives of every department.

During the month of September, employees at the 100 percent nonsmoking hotel received their own trees to contribute to the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s goal of planting 7,500 trees in September. Also in September was the start of Friday Night Lights Out, a reminder to turn off computer monitors and lights in conference rooms.

Go to the Radisson Blu Mall of America.

Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.

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