Hawaii Energy Awards Largest Hotel Incentive Ever to Hilton Hawaiian Village
Posted December 12, 2014
Hawaii Energy’s largest incentive for a hotel to date was recently awarded to Hawaii’s largest hotel – the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (Hilton).
Hawaii Energy, the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program for Hawaii, Honolulu and Maui counties, presented a $471,192 incentive check to the Hilton after the completion of phase I of a multi-phase, multi-million dollar energy efficiency upgrade project. Phase I included a major lighting retrofit in 1,839 guest rooms and the installation of energy-saving fan coil motors in all 2,860 guest rooms.
The incentive will help Hilton offset its phase I project costs of more than $1.91 million. Hawaii Energy’s incentive covered 24 percent of these costs. These energy efficiency upgrades are estimated to save 2.8 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually – equivalent to $710,360 in energy costs based on $0.2837/kWh. The simple payback period is just two years.
“We applaud the Hilton Hawaiian Village for embracing energy efficiency and leveraging the program’s incentives to maximize their investment,” said Ray Starling, Program Director, Hawaii Energy. “The visitor industry has been tremendous when it comes to saving energy and reducing its carbon footprint, which in the long run contributes to breaking Hawaii’s dependence on imported oil.”
The lighting retrofit involved replacing old lights such as halogens, incandescent bulbs and T12 fluorescent lights with 14,843 light emitting diode lamps (LEDs), as well as retrofitting 3,088 lower wattage T8 fluorescent lights with high performance ballasts.
The new lights were installed by Energy Industries in the Hilton’s Ali?i Tower, Diamond Head Tower, K?lia Tower and Rainbow Tower as well as the Coral Ballrooms.
“We’re privileged to live, work and welcome visitors to our beautiful island home and with that privilege, we see a responsibility to do our part to help preserve Hawaii’s beautiful environment through sustainable practices including the installation of energy-efficient equipment,” said Tracy Walker, general manager, Hilton Hawaiian Village. In addition to lighting, the Hilton participated in Hawaii Energy’s limited-time increased incentive for ECMs, which totaled $298,730 – the largest amount the program has ever provided for this technology to a business ratepayer. The Hilton committed to the ECM project during Hawaii Energy’s promotion (November 2013 – January 2014) of an increased incentive from $55 per motor to $100. ECMs use up to 50 percent less electricity compared to older inefficient motors by reducing the speed during periods of reduced cooling demand. The ECMs, installed by EMCC Hawaii, are fan motors that are used to circulate conditioned air throughout the guest rooms.
In phase II of this project, to be completed in 2015, the Hilton plans to install more LEDs and T8 fluorescent lights in its remaining towers and ballrooms. The hotel also plans to install kitchen demand ventilation control systems in all restaurants including its signature Bali Steak & Seafood and Tropics Bar & Grill. Similar to ECMs, these systems can also reduce energy usage by as much as 50 percent compared to traditional ventilation systems by utilizing temperature and/or smoke sensing to adjust ventilation rates as needed.
For more information about Hawaii Energy’s business incentives, please call 839-8880 or toll-free on the Neighbor Islands at (877) 231-8222. Visit www.HawaiiEnergy.com.
About Hawaii Energy
Hawaii Energy is a ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program administered by Leidos Engineering, LLC, under contract with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, serving the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu. Hawaii Energy offers cash rebates and other incentives to residents and businesses to help offset the cost of installing energy-efficient equipment. In addition to rebates, the program conducts education and training for residents, businesses and trade allies to encourage the adoption of energy conservation behaviors and efficiency measures. The program plays an important role in helping to achieve Hawaii’s goal of reducing total electric energy usage by 30 percent or 4.3 billion kWh by 2030. For more information, visit www.HawaiiEnergy.com.
About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Founded in 1919 as the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, Hilton Hotels & Resorts continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of savvy global travelers at more than 550 hotels across six continents. Hilton is the stylish, forward-thinking global leader in hospitality with Team Members shaping experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Access the latest news at news.hilton.com and begin your journey at www.hilton.com or www.hilton.com/offers for the latest hotel specials. View a list of official social at www.hilton.com/social. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market leading brands.
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Media Contacts:
Rob Deveraturda
Hawaii Energy
Ph: (808) 848-8560
wirth@leidos.com
Sonja Swenson
Hilton Hawaiian Village/Stryker Weiner & Yokota Public Relations, Inc.
Ph: (808) 523-8802
sonja@strykerweiner.com