Pechanga Resort & Casino Wins Big with Energy Savings
From 2006 through 2013, energy-efficiency projects saved Pechanga more than $113,000 in energy costs and qualified them for a host of incentives, including an array of interior and exterior lighting upgrades and occupancy sensors. Pechanga also installed an energy management system to further increase their participation in the Demand Bidding Program, a demand response program that earned them over $867,000 in bill credits. In addition, using our free testing services to assess overall pumping performance, Pechanga recently installed more efficient pumps with variable-frequency drives to serve the hot and cold water needs at the hotel. With Time-Of-Use rates and Critical Peak Pricing (CPP) events in effect, it’s the perfect time to learn from this hotel’s energy-saving achievements and apply similar strategies to your business.
More Energy Management Success Stories
- Marriott’s Select Service and Extended-Stay hotels earned $495,000 in energy-efficient equipment incentives
- Howard Johnson’s energy efficiency added up to a 50% reduction in their energy bill
- Furnace Creek Resort receives $71,000 in incentives and saves approximately 584,000kWh
Marriott
Marriott International hotels earned $463,756 in incentives and savings.
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Essential Energy Technology for Lodging
- LED Lights White Paper
- Lighting Controls White Paper
- Plug Load Devices White Paper
- HVAC White Paper
- Restaurant Equipment White Paper
Finance Your Energy-Efficient Projects
Several hotels have already taken advantage of energy-efficient equipment. To help your business receive these same cost-efficient benefits, we offer low-interest financing for qualified energy-efficient projects.
Energy-Efficient Solutions and Tips for Lodging
Here are just a few of the energy-efficient programs and suggestions that our customers have employed to increase their cost efficiency. You’ll also find more energy-efficient solutions in our Large Hotel Fact Sheet and Small Hotel Fact Sheet and a complete list of all our qualifying energy-efficiency incentives and demand response programs by requesting our Solutions Directory
Want to explore your clean energy options with SCE? We want to help lower your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint. Clean energy can help provide the solution.
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Lighting and Lighting Controls
Help improve your energy efficiency by better managing your lighting costs.
- Install inexpensive occupancy sensors
- Use LED bulbs and LED exit signs
- Install dimmable ballasts to lower energy use in fluorescent lamps
- Install sensory controllers on vending machines
- Replace pool and spa lamps with LEDs
Your business may already qualify for incentives that could put these energy-saving upgrades into effect.
Refrigeration and Cooking Equipment
- Purchase equipment that more effectively manages your energy use
- Add temperature controllers and anti-sweat heater controls
- Install nighttime display covers for open coolers
- Upgrade to new, more energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® certified ovens, fryers, steamers, exhaust hoods, and exhaust hood controls for significant energy savings during down times
- Install refrigeration curtains and auto door closers
Your business may already qualify for incentives that could put these energy-saving upgrades into effect.
Cooling
Maximize your energy saving by effectively managing your air-conditioning systems.
- Install window film and blinds to keep the heat out
- Switch to LED bulbs and decrease the amount of office heat and A/C energy use
- Sign up for HVAC Maintenance
- Install thermostat sensors on guest room A/C units
- Install sensory controllers on vending machines or shut them down for a short period
- Install variable-frequency drives on air handling units and pumps
- Install programmable thermostats
There are many more energy-efficient solutions for your business.
Energy and Water Efficient Equipment
Purchase equipment that more effectively manages your energy use.
- Install variable-speed drives on swimming pool pumps
- Replace older, less water-efficient equipment
- Install new, water-efficient commercial equipment to minimize water demand
- Install water-conserving toilets, showerheads, and faucets in guest bathrooms
- Plug load controls cut energy consumption by controlling plug load capacity.
- Install load-sensing or occupancy-sensing plug strips to make it easier for your staff to power down
Your business can benefit from even more energy-efficient equipment options.
Demand Response Programs (DR)
With these programs, receive bill credits for temporarily reducing energy use upon request during periods of high-energy demand. Choose the ones that best fit your operational needs.
Automated Demand Response (Auto-DR)
Receive energy savings by using smart technology that effortlessly and temporarily reduces the amount of energy your business uses (known as “load reduction”) during a DR event. With Auto-DR, load reduction is automatic and reliable, so it’s easier to participate in DR programs to capitalize on program earnings and help lower your energy costs.
- Install equipment that automates electrical load reduction during demand response events and receive Automated Demand Response Technology incentives
No-Cost, Do-It-Yourself Tips
Here are some immediate ways to significantly reduce your business energy use.
Tips
Refrigerated Equipment and Cold-Storage Areas:
- Maintain appropriate temperature settings in freezers (-8°F to -14°F) and refrigerators (35°F to 38°F)
- Clean evaporator coils
- Reduce air leakage in refrigerated cases
- Add strip curtains to walk-in doors
- Turn down refrigerated storage and refrigerant compressors
- Delay use of electric resistance defrost controls and the use of anti-sweat heaters
- Locate refrigerators away from heat sources
- Turn off ice machines during TOU On-Peak hours and use a larger ice machine at night during TOU Off-Peak hours
Hot-Food Preparation Areas:
- Place cooking appliances well within exhaust hoods
- Minimize preheating energy use by following manufacturer recommendations for preheat times and temperature settings
- Set cooking schedules to use cooking equipment at full capacity
- Unused and backup equipment can be turned off during low production periods
- Reduce air leakage in ovens by making sure doors fit tightly and gaskets are in good condition
Offices and Back Rooms:
- Shift use of non-essential electrical equipment to before or after peak hours
- Reschedule dishwashing/laundry processes before 4 p.m.or after 9 p.m.
- Turn off any indoor lighting and office equipment that aren’t essential
- Pre-cool work areas in the morning, then cycle ventilation and A/C units
- Charge batteries and battery-operated equipment prior to TOU On-Peak hours, then use only pre-charged equipment during TOU On-Peak hours
- Enable lower power-mode setting for computers, monitors, and imaging equipment
- Make comprehensive changes to processes to reduce water consumption
- Change process water system to reuse processed wastewater