William Fizer: From Vietnam Era Veteran to Hospitality Technology Innovator

William Fizer owns Lodging Technology, which provides sustainable solutions and innovative technology to the hospitality industry. But before he became an entrepreneur and technology innovator, Fizer served his country as a soldier during the Vietnam War era on Okinawa as an instructor in the electronics of the HAWK surface-to-air missile.
After returning from Okinawa in 1964, Fizer pursued a career in technology and worked for several companies in the field. However, he found his true passion when he started working in the hospitality industry, where he saw an opportunity to apply his technology expertise to help hotels become more sustainable and efficient.

In 1984, Fizer founded what is now Lodging Technology to provide innovative and sustainable energy solutions to the hospitality industry. The company offers a range of products and services, including energy-efficient lighting solutions, wireless control systems, building automation systems, and sustainability consulting services.

Under Fizer’s leadership, Lodging Technology has become a leading provider of hospitality technology solutions, working with independent properties, luxury brands, and major hotel chains. The company’s innovative products and services have helped hotels reduce their environmental impact, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the guest experience.

William Fizer

Fizer’s contributions to the hospitality and technology industries have been noticed. In 2017, Lodging Technology received the Small Business of the Year award from the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2023, he was nominated for the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council for the Innovator Award, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the technology industry in Virginia.

As a Vietnam-era veteran, Fizer understands the importance of service and dedication, and he has applied those values to his career in technology and hospitality. He has helped hotels become more sustainable, efficient, and innovative through his work at Lodging Technology. He continues pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the hospitality technology industry.

In conclusion, William Fizer’s career, military service, and contributions to the technology industry are a testament to his dedication, innovation, and commitment to service. His work at Lodging Technology has helped hotels become more sustainable and efficient, and his passion for technology and hospitality continues to drive him forward. We salute him for his service to our country and contributions to the hospitality and technology industries.

179D Commercial Buildings Energy-Efficiency Tax Deduction

The 179D commercial buildings energy efficiency tax deduction primarily enables building owners to claim a tax deduction for installing qualifying systems and buildings. Tenants may be eligible if they make construction expenditures. If the system or building is installed on federal, state, or local government property, the 179D tax deduction may be taken by the person primarily responsible for the system’s design. The 179D tax deduction does not apply to other non-tax paying entities including but not limited to NGOs or churches unless there exists an energy-as-a-service agreement that is owned by a tax paying company. Please see IRS Notice 2008-40 or FAQs for additional information. The 179D tax deduction has been in effect since January 1, 2006, and is now a permanent program enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 signed into law on December 27, 2020.

The following information is still applicable for properties placed into service on or before December 31, 2020. Updated information will be made available for properties placed into service on or after January 1, 2021, upon anticipated IRS Notice release.

A tax deduction of $1.80 per square foot is available to owners of new or existing buildings who install (1) interior lighting; (2) a building envelope; or (3) heating, cooling, ventilation, or hot water systems that reduce the energy and power cost of the interior lighting, HVAC, and service hot water systems by 50% or more in comparison to a building meeting minimum requirements set by ASHRAE Standard 90.1. Cost savings must be calculated using qualified computer software, which we link to below.

For properties placed into service on or before December 31, 2020, the energy and power cost shall be compared with the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007. Projects placed into service on or after January 1, 2021, shall use the most recent Standard 90.1 affirmed no later than the date that is 2 years before the date that construction of the qualifying property begins, or the date the construction permit of the qualifying property is issued. Details and associated updates to this webpage are awaiting an anticipated IRS Notice.

Deductions up to $0.60 per square foot are available to owners of buildings in which individual lighting, building envelope, or heating and cooling systems partially qualify by meeting certain target levels or through the interim lighting rule. For properties placed into service on or before December 31, 2020, following IRS Notice 2012-26, choose the appropriate compliance pathway shown in the table below. Updates for properties placed into service on or after January 1, 2021, will be made available upon anticipated IRS Notice release.

Fully Qualifying PropertyIRS Notice (Effective Dates)*Envelope*HVAC and HW*Lighting*Interim Lighting Rule
Savings Requirements**50%2012-26
(3/12/12 – 12/31/20)
10%15%25%25%–40% lower lighting power density (50% for warehouses)
Tax Deduction (not to exceed cost of qualifying property)$1.80/ft² $0.60/ft²$0.60/ft²$0.60/ft²$0.60/ft² times applicable percentage***
SUMMARY OF 179D TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR PROPERTIES PLACED INTO SERVICE ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2020

* Partially Qualifying Property

** Savings refer to the reduction in the energy and power costs of the combined energy for the interior lighting, HVAC, and hot water systems as compared to a reference building that meets the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 for properties placed in service on or before December 31, 2020.

*** The tax deduction is prorated depending on the reduction in Lighting Power Density (LPD). See IRS Notice 2006-52 for the definition of “applicable percentage.”

Below are links to qualified software and technical references that are required to calculate your tax deduction for properties placed into service on or before December 31, 2020. Updates will be made to qualified software and technical references for properties placed into service on or after January 1, 2021, upon anticipated IRS Notice release.

Systems and Buildings Placed in Service On or Before December 31, 2020

Qualified Software
DOE has an established process for qualifying software for modeling systems and buildings. The webpage lists qualifying software for projects placed in service on or before December 31, 2020.

Updates will be made for properties placed into service on or after January 1, 2021, upon anticipated IRS Notice release.

Resources

Energy Savings Modeling and Inspection Guidelines for Commercial Building Federal Tax Deductions for Buildings 2016–2020, published by NREL, provides guidelines for the modeling and inspection of energy savings required by the statute for buildings and systems placed in service on or before December 31, 2020. Additional resources will be added for properties placed into service on or after January 1, 2021, upon anticipated IRS Notice release.

IRS Notice 2012-26 provides an additional set of energy savings percentages that taxpayers may use to qualify for a partial 179D deduction under the permanent rule for property placed in service on or after the effective date of the notice.

IRS Notice 2008-40 sets forth additional guidance relating to the deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings under 26 U.S.C. 179D and is intended to be used with Notice 2006-52.

IRS Notice 2006-52 established a process to allow taxpayers to obtain a certification that the property satisfies the energy efficiency requirements contained in 26 U.S.C 179D

Original article

Bay Gardens Resorts Win Sustainability Awards in St Lucia

Lodging Technology Customer Re-Certified as “Green Globe Gold” Property

Bay Gardens Resorts Win Sustainability Awards in St. Lucia

Bay Gardens Inn
Bay Gardens Hotel
Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa

Green Globe member Bay Gardens Resorts has won two sustainability awards in acknowledgement of their ongoing best practices and green efforts

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, May 14, 2021

/EINPresswire.com/ — Green Globe recently recertified three Bay Gardens Resorts1 – Bay Gardens Inn, Bay Gardens Hotel and Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa in the Caribbean. The resorts retain their Gold status in 2021.

Laudra Maurille-Willie, Human Resource Manager at Bay Gardens Resorts said, “Our Bay Gardens Resorts family remains steadfast in our dedication to embracing and implementing best practices which protect and preserve the environment. We continue to work collaboratively to accelerate initiatives which promote the sustainable development of small island developing states. We envision becoming a leader in sustainably providing innovative, authentic Caribbean hospitality by developing our team members’ skills as well as enhancing the communities around us.”

In 2019, Bay Gardens Resorts won two sustainability awards in acknowledgement of their ongoing best practices and overall green efforts. At the annual 2019 St. Lucia Business Awards held by the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Bay Gardens Resorts won the Environmental Stewardship Award for their green initiatives. This included their reduction of single-use plastics, decreasing energy usage and boosting the use of locally sourced produce in kitchens. This is the resorts’ ninth business award and its first Environmental Stewardship award win.

Bay Gardens Resorts was also announced as Runner-up in the Environmental Sustainability category at the 2019 Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) Awards in Miami, Both these wins were a resounding success for management and staff at all three resorts.

In the same year, Bay Gardens Resorts was the first resort group to be certified Gold status by Green Globe in St. Lucia. Bay Gardens Inn, Bay Gardens Hotel and Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa are recognized for their sustainability initiatives, many of which set new standards in the Caribbean for green tourism. 

Reducing Single-use Waste
As part of the resorts’ waste management strategy, initiatives have included the successful phase out of single-use plastics in favour of biodegradable vessels and utensils made from wood, paper, compostable plastic or sugar cane bagasse. This eco-friendly approach was expanded to include Polystyrene (Styrofoam)products that are no longer in use at any of the properties. Furthermore, environmentally friendly soap dispensers have replaced single-use plastic bottles at all properties.

Energy Conservation
Other ecological innovations include GEM Link® Wireless occupancy sensors in guest rooms (from Lodging Technology), which reduce energy for each occupied room by 30%. Converting air conditioners to energy-efficient inverter (mini-split) units also conserves energy as does lighting that is being upgraded to LEDs across all properties.

St. Lucia Economic Development
To stimulate regional economic development and minimize environmental impacts at the island resorts, a farm-to-table menu has been started to reduce total food miles.

About Bay Gardens Resorts
Bay Gardens Resorts is a group of locally owned and operated award-winning hotels all located within, or near, Rodney Bay Village, St. Lucia’s entertainment capital. All five of Bay Gardens Resorts’ properties – Bay Gardens Inn, Bay Gardens Hotel, Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, Bay Gardens Marina Haven, and Waters Edge by Bay Gardens Resorts – are close to more than 40 restaurants, entertainment venues, duty-free shopping malls, Treasure Bay Casino and Rodney Bay Marina. All properties offer comfortable accommodations, traditional Caribbean cuisine, and warm Caribbean service and hospitality. Bay Gardens’ Splash Island Water Park, the first open water sports park in the Eastern Caribbean, is a popular attraction off St. Lucia’s Reduit Beach.

For further information, visit www.baygardensresorts.com2.

About Lodging Technology

John Centeno, National Sales Director, provided and coordinated the installation of GEM Link® Wireless energy management controls at all three Bay Gardens Resorts.  Centeno brings many years of experience to Lodging Technology working with hoteliers throughout the Caribbean.  John stated, “GEM Link® brings a unique advantage to the Caribbean hotelier as many of these hotels are fitted with a wide variety and different brands of high wall mini-split units.  The versatility of GEM Link® offers a distinct advantage in that one system can connect to and control any HVAC unit, of any voltage, of any age, with any type thermostat.”

William Fizer, President of Lodging Technology and inventor of infrared occupancy sensor-based hotel energy conservation, said, “We are pleased that GEM Link® Wireless was selected by Bay Gardens Resorts as a means to significantly reduce energy expense and carbon footprint.  We welcome Bay Gardens Resorts into our 40th year of producing Effective • Reliable • Versatile energy saving products.


About Green Globe Certification
Green Globe is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe is based in California, USA and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe is an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). For information, please visit www.greenglobe.com

Contact:
Laudra Maurille-Willie
Human Resource Manager
Bay Gardens Resorts
Reduit Beach
Rodney Bay Village
Castries
SAINT LUCIA
T: +1758.457.8516  
E: hrmanager@baygardensresorts.com
W: www.baygardensresorts.com

Bradley Cox
Green Globe
+1 310-337-3000
email us here

1 https://www.baygardensresorts.com/

© 1995-2021 IPD Group, Inc. All Right Reserved.

The Essential Door Switch

for Maximum Reduced Energy Consumption and Expense

The following points compare Lodging Technology’s GEM Link™ Wireless energy management system to generically similar systems that do not utilize entry door switches.  An Entry Door Switch is an essential component of a properly designed and operating guestroom energy management system.

  1. Lodging Technology’s approach to guestroom energy management and the methods utilized to accomplish maximum energy savings, without compromising guest comfort, are very different from competitors.   GEM Link® is a “pure” energy management system; not a thermostat with a few EMS features. GEM Link® will reduce energy expense on any HVAC unit of any age of any voltage with any type thermostat, including any non-wall thermostat unit.  GEM Link® connects to PTAC, PTHP, Fan Coil, Split Systems, high-mount Mini-Splits, 26” Window units, and electric heaters.  A hotel or other facility is not tied to a specific brand, model, or type HVAC.  Some occupancy-based EMS systems will only work with a specific brand or model HVAC unit.
  • Lodging Technology was the first to utilize an entry door switch to “lock” the system into an Occupied Mode while guests are in the room.  GEM Link® does not have to constantly detect guests as in systems that do not utilize an entry door switch.  Once guests are detected in the room, with the entry door closed, the system locks into an “Occupied Mode” to allow HVAC operation under normal guest control without further detection of guest presence. It does not matter if guests are in the bathroom for 10 minutes or 4 hours, are sleeping, or simply sitting in the corner reading a book. The HVAC unit will continue to operate at the guest’s selected temperature without requiring further detection as though GEM Link® was never installed.  Opening of the entry door switch immediately alerts GEM Link® that guests may have left.
  • Systems that do not use an entry door switch require continuous detection of guests to insure proper HVAC operation.  If guests are not detected for a period of time (such as when sleeping, sitting still at the work station, or in the bathroom showering), the HVAC unit WILL be turned off.  When the guest moves and is again detected the HVAC turns on again.  This constant turning on and off of the HVAC unit WILL generate guest complaints, and shortens the life of the HVAC unit.
  • The HVAC WILL turn off on construction and airline crews that work at night and sleep during the day, if there is no entry door switch with which to “lock” in an occupied mode.  (NOTE: PIR Sensors cannot detect sleeping guests through bed linens.).
  • An entry door switch allows GEM Link® to prohibit HVAC operation when guests leave the entry door open, such as an exterior corridor entry hotel.  Without an entry door switch, guests can operate the HVAC with the door open to the outside, thus wasting significant energy and promoting mold / mildew.
  • Utilizing an entry door switch allows GEM Link® to instantly activate the HVAC unit when guests open the entry door to enter the room, prior to guest detection.  As guests enter, the HVAC is already operating making the system more transparent to guests.
  • GEM Link® Wireless is designed and manufactured in the United States in Internationally Certified ISO 9001:2015 facilities for the highest quality with a Two-Year Warranty.  Lodging Technology is a veteran owned business.

GEM Link® Wireless

Reduces Room Energy Expense 20% – 25% More than systems without a Door Switch.

©2020 LTC Enterprises, LLC

GEM Link® System Overview

System Overview

Gem Link® Wireless consists of three main components:

  • Passive Infrared (PIR) Occupancy Sensor
    • Wireless Entry Door Switch
    • Transceiver Control Module connected to the HVAC system

HVAC (Heating and Air Conditioning) Control

  • Detection of Occupant 

When guests open the entry door, a signal is transmitted to the Transceiver Module that the door has been opened. A second signal is transmitted when the door is closed. The Passive Infrared (PIR) Occupancy Sensor detects the presence of guests via infrared body heat and transmits this event to the Transceiver Module. GEM Link® Wireless immediately releases control of the HVAC thermostat to the guest who then sets the temperature at their desired level.

  • Locked in Occupied Mode

Once control of the HVAC is released, GEM Link® Wireless “locks” the system into the Occupied Mode, after the Entry Door is closed. No further detection of the guest is required.  The guest may take an extended bath, sleep with covers over their head, or sit very still reading a book and the HVAC system continues to operate under normal guest control day or night.

  • Opening Patio/Balcony Door

If a patio/balcony door is opened, a Door Switch Module transmits this event to the Transceiver. GEM Link® Wireless will turn off the HVAC unit after a programmable Time Delay selected during installation.  For example, with a Time Delay of 30 seconds, the guest could open the patio/balcony door, step outside, close the door behind them, and there will be no interruption to the HVAC operation.

However, if the patio/balcony door is left open longer than the programmed Time Delay, the Transceiver Control Module will turn off the HVAC and prevent operation as long as the patio/balcony door remains open.  This prevents hot humid air from condensing on cool surfaces and reduces the chance of mold and mildew.  The HVAC unit will not operate with the patio/balcony door open longer than the programmed Time Delay.

  • Leaving the Guestroom

When the entry door is opened, it resets the Transceiver Control Module from the Occupied Mode to a Time Delay mode.  If the entry door is then closed and guests remain in the room, the PIR Sensor detects guests still present via infra-red body heat and the GEM Link® system again locks into an Occupied Mode.  However, if all guests have left the room and the PIR sensor does not detect guest presence, the Transceiver Control Module continues in the Time Delay Mode and will turn off the HVAC unit after the selected programmable Time Delay.  This is normally set at 10-20 minutes. 

  • Temperature Setback

The Transceiver Control Module monitors room temperature during unoccupied periods and will release the HVAC unit when room temperature reaches the selected Setback Temperature. The air conditioning will operate to reduce the temperature two degrees below the selected Setback Temperature and then turn off again.  This prevents the guestroom from becoming too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter when unoccupied. 

The Setback Temperature is programmable by time and tempeature in one-degree increments.  The HVAC unit is not allowed to operate continuously in physically unoccupied guestrooms. GEM Link® Wireless maintains the suite at an energy conserving Setback Temperature pre-selected by management.  The System is programmable in four (4) Levels of Setback, each by time and temperature, for gradual setback over a period of time.

Control of other Electric Appliances

To reduce high-energy consumption of other electric appliances, a second Transceiver Module is wirelessly “Slaved” to the Master HVAC Transceiver Control Module.  The Master Transceiver Control Module communicates with the Slave Transceiver to indicate when the guestroom, suite, or conference room is occupied or unoccupied.  The Slave Transceiver controls many other electric appliances, such as electric cook tops, water heaters, or even lighting systems while sharing the same PIR Sensors and Door Switches. 

This describes basic GEM Link® Wireless energy management operation for controlling HVAC and other electric appliances.

Learn the ABCs of Guestroom Humidity

About humidity, what is it exactly?

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor (moisture) suspended in air. It is measured as Percent Relative Humidity (%RH) or the percentage of water vapor that can possibly be contained in air, at its present temperature. Air at 0%RH is completely dry and free of moisture; air at 100%RH contains all the moisture it can possibly hold at its present temperature and will be exhibited as condensation, fog or rain. The amount or volume of water vapor that can be contained in air varies with air temperature. Air at 50°F and 60%RH contains less moisture in suspension than air at 80°F and the same 60%RH. Warmer air can hold more moisture than colder air. Air at 90°F can hold twice the volume of moisture as air at 70°F. 

But where does guestroom humidity come from?

In a word, guestroom humidity comes from OUTSIDE. Water vapor (moisture) will migrate from a moist area to a drier area, from an area of higher Relative Humidity (RH) to an area of lower RH.  When a room is air conditioned and de- humidified, moisture will migrate from hot, humid outdoor air to cool, dryer indoor air.  It will penetrate any crack, opening and porous or semi-porous material that has pores large enough for a water molecule to traverse. It is unrelenting in its ability to equalize the amount of water vapor from a moist area to a drier area. This ability to migrate is called “water vapor pressure.”  The greater the difference in temperature and relative humidity between outdoors and an air conditioned indoor area, the greater the “water vapor pressure” and the tendency for moisture to move into the drier area.

Some humidity is generated inside the room from a guest’s breathing and showering, and a housekeeper cleaning. However, humidity levels from inside causes are small, compared to external migration and can easily be handled by the air conditioning unit. Guests are only in the room a short time. Un-rented rooms are empty 100 percent of the time, except for hotel staff. Even rented rooms are only occupied eight to 11 hours out of a 24-hour period.

Can moisture get into the room?

Water vapor can and will move through the building’s porous outside covering whether it is brick, paint, stucco or some other material. It moves through the wall cavity, insulation and drywall, until it is stopped by non-porous or semi-porous vinyl wall covering.  Therein lays the problem. Moisture will collect behind cool vinyl wall covering where it condenses, soaks the drywall and insulation making it soft and crumbly, encouraging the growth of mold and mildew.

Moisture may also enter the room through open exterior doors, from unconditioned interior hallways, through air leaks around the HVAC damper or wall sleeve and through cracks around weather seals in windows and doors that are in poor condition. These leaks should be repaired to lessen the heat and moisture load on the HVAC unit. Moisture generated inside the room from people and showers may occasionally condense on cool vinyl wall surfaces if the HVAC load is too great at the time but will not penetrate through to the drywall. Moisture damage and the resultant growth of mold and mildew usually occurs in the corner of outside walls and at wall covering seams where moisture finds an easier path to migrate to drier inside air. The fact that water damage is behind the vinyl wall covering indicates that the moisture came from outside the room.

Mold and mildew are minute, living, parasitic organisms called fungi (this also includes rusts, smuts, mushrooms, toadstools and puff balls). They must have three essential elements for survival and growth: (1) correct temperature, (2) sufficient moisture and (3) food.

The climate provides the temperature and moisture while wall covering pastes, drywall and other construction materials provide food.  Anti-microbial treatments may be applied to wall coverings to kill or retard mold and mildew growth. However, moisture damage will continue until outside air and moisture leaks are plugged, appropriate vapor barriers are installed or repaired, and air conditioners are sized and operated in a manner to reduce migration and increase the removal of internal moisture.

Don’t chill guestrooms below the dew point.

The “dew point” is the temperature at which air can no longer hold all the moisture it contains in suspension. Some water vapor must come out of suspension and condense in the form of water droplets.

When guestroom walls are allowed to chill below the dew point all day (when guests are out), moisture from inside and outside sources will condense on both sides of the wall covering, thus damaging drywall and encouraging the growth of mold and mildew. It also condenses and is absorbed by cool furniture and bedding surfaces and causes the room to feel cold and clammy, rather than cool and dry.

[Note: Guest education cards regarding the importance of maintaining temperature control will go a long way to making the guest feel more comfortable, especially the guest who is not used to warm, humid climates.  Educating the housekeeping staff about the need to adjust room temperature levels as a general practice will help the hotelier save energy and remodeling costs, while helping to preserve clean indoor air.]

Envelope factors determine guestroom humidity levels.

Guestroom humidity levels are determined and controlled by the building envelope, the presence or absence of proper vapor barriers, clogged weep holes in exterior walls, liquid water or air leaks, type of internal wall covering and BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating of the HVAC unit compared to room size (bigger is not always better).  In hot, humid climates buildings should be sealed with an appropriate vapor barrier on the outside to keep moisture out; in cold, dry climates the inside surface of the room should be sealed to retain moisture. It is important to ensure that HVAC BTU ratings are appropriate for the room’s size, type of construction and local climate. Coils and condensate drains must be properly maintained to transfer condensed moisture outside.

Florida’s humidity problem has been studied.

Guestroom humidity is a big issue in Florida, Texas, Louisiana and other hot, humid Southern states and has been extensively studied. Lodging Technology Corporation has participated in several “enviroroom” projects with the Florida Lodging Association, Florida Governor’s Energy Office and the University of Florida’s Energy Extension Service. The major source of humidity, moisture and mildew damage is infiltration of humid, outdoor air into the wall cavity and room. Florida guests don’t take more showers or otherwise generate more moisture from indoor sources than guests in other parts of the country. The Florida studies indicate that:

• Excess migration of external water vapor through the building structure and air and water leaks cause drywall damage and mold and mildew growth.

• Over-sizing of the HVAC unit uses more energy and causes the average relative humidity of the room to increase.

• In very humid climates, the indoor fan should be cycled off with the compressor to prevent blowing moisture from the coils back into the room during the compressor’s off time.

• Bathroom exhaust fans that remove too much air actually increase humidity levels by pulling more make-up air than is necessary from outside. The American

Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a minimum ventilation of 15 cubic feet per minute (CFM) per person or 30 CFM per guestroom. Tests indicated that some exhaust fans pull 70 to 90 CFM and were inconsistent from room to room on the same property.

• Sensor-based occupancy energy management systems have no negative effect on room humidity levels. Conversely, they do provide some reduction in average relative humidity.

• Some sensor systems which contain a “humidity sensor” claim large reductions in room humidity levels. Such claims are more marketing hype than fact. Guestroom HVAC units are temperature-operated (thermostat) devices. The air conditioning unit will only operate to its own thermostat setting, regardless of humidity. Sensor systems cannot force the HVAC unit to operate if it would not otherwise be operating according to its thermostat setting.  Removing moisture is simply a secondary result of cooling room air.

Guestroom occupancy sensing systems have a positive effect on humidity control.

A properly designed occupancy sensing system does not turn off the heating/ cooling unit in unoccupied rooms. It maintains the room at a slightly warmer, management-selected, energy-conserving temperature.  The system prevents chilling of the room during the hot and humid midday when guests are typically out, thus reducing water vapor pressure, migration of moisture into the room and condensation.

Warmer air “holds” more moisture, removing water from furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E). Remember that air at 90°F holds twice the volume of water as air at 70°F does. Energy management systems (EMS) assist in the reduction of humidity problems.  The key is to install a sensing system that includes a temperature setback feature and operates the air conditioner periodically to lower room temperature and remove large amounts of moisture from the warmer air. The room is again allowed to warm up and “pull” more moisture from furnishings. This cycle is repeated while guests are out of the room 60 percent of the day.

General Electric (GE), Amana, Carrier and other HVAC manufacturers offer energy management interfaces on their units. GE was the first to provide this feature on certain models in 1972 and has the most extensive experience. All current GE and Amana PTAC (Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner) units for hotels have an EMS interface, designed for front desk or occupancy sensor control, as a standard feature.

Occupancy sensing systems will increase profits by reducing room HVAC energy consumption by 35 to 45 percent, while improving guest comfort and preserving guestroom FF&E. Hoteliers will clear the air of unwanted moisture while taking profits to the bank.