As tough as it is to calculate true utility bill savings after installing an energy-management system, those hoteliers who have done so say there is no doubt that installing a system has a direct impact on reducing PTAC runtime.

Last week, La Quinta offered some members of the media a peek behind the curtain, so to speak--an opportunity to observe one of the company's brand council meetings. The council, which meets at least three times per year, includes corporate executives and franchisees.

The owners and operators of Denver’s first hotel, The Oxford Hotel, recently completed upgrades on the building that improve energy efficiency while decreasing average monthly utility costs by 47 percent.

PTACs and HVACs should be treated similarly to how a person treats a car. Every 3,000 miles you change the oil and perform proper engine maintenance to keep the car operating efficiently—the same care must go into air conditioning your hotel.

A new regulation in the heating and cooling industry will have a Casablanca-like effect on hoteliers. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow—but sometime, the units at your hotel will have to be updated to a new, environmentally friendly refrigerant.

Energy controls and sensors in the guestroom and in public spaces help control temperature, ensuring comfort for the guest and a smaller electric bill for the hotel.

Upon opening in late 2009, CityCenter will debut the most advanced guestroom technology in the country

Advancements in hotel technology were on display at the annual Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference, held in Austin, Texas in early June. GUESTROOM 2010 (to be called G2X going forward) is a model hotel room that exhibits emerging technologies.

Building on the proven capabilities of the Telkonet SmartEnergy system, incorporating Telkonet's patented Recovery Time technology, the Networked Telkonet Smart Energy (NTSE) platform advances intelligent HVAC building control with a flexible, resilient and low-cost energy management platform.

The new models incorporate state-of-the-art technology, greater convenience, industry-leading efficiency and low noise levels.