Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, B.C.

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The story

Saving $700,000 on our energy costs – now, that helps me sleep at night.

"Thanks to BC Hydro Power Smart, our energy savings during the past three years are equal to the revenue of more than 3,500 occupied hotel rooms, on average. Power Smart makes business sense – and it helps us achieve our environmental and economical objectives."

— Patrick Kelly, Regional Vice President and General Manager, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

The situation

Headquartered in Toronto, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts operates 39 world-class resorts and city centre hotels in six countries around the world and is the largest luxury hotel management company in North America. Within British Columbia, the chain’s hotels include The Fairmont Empress Hotel, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, The Fairmont Waterfront and The Fairmont Vancouver Airport.

The company has a long history of environmental stewardship, and in 1990 launched a "green" program for all of its Canadian hotels. Originally developed as a grassroots quest to reduce the impact of the company’s operations on the environment, the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Green Partnership Program is now considered by many, including National Geographic Traveler, to be the most comprehensive environmental program in the North American hotel industry.

At the same time, the company recognized the need to keep its operating costs down in order to stay competitive in the hospitality industry. Senior management realized that increasing the energy efficiency of its hotels would be a way to both fulfill its environmental objectives and improve its business competitiveness.

The solution

Through the 1990s, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts carried out a variety of energy conservation measures and retrofit projects at its properties across Canada. In B.C., Fairmont partnered with BC Hydro Power Smart to identify energy-saving opportunities at its five hotels and then implemented lighting retrofits in common areas and guest rooms, mechanical improvements including rooftop and boiler upgrades, and the installation of energy management control systems. In addition, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver became one of the first hotels in western Canada to incorporate a centrally-controlled guest room energy management system, which uses occupancy sensors and door switches to determine if a room is occupied and then adjusts lighting and heating levels accordingly.

Another key initiative was an employee awareness program, which was piloted in 2002 in conjunction with BC Hydro. Environmental committees at each hotel took the lead, placing energy efficiency tip posters and suggestion boxes in staff areas. Employees who made energy-saving suggestions received compact fluorescent lights, donated by BC Hydro. In a friendly competition among hotels, employees at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler won prizes, including a $100 cash bonus for each member of its environmental committee, for saving $12,000 in electricity and gas in just three months.

Thanks to these efforts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, B.C. has accumulated over $700,000 in total electricity savings since 1999 – enough to meet the energy needs of The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, The Fairmont Waterfront and The Fairmont Vancouver Airport for one full year – and prevented the emission of up to 7,800 tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Now Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, B.C. is taking its environmental commitment further with a pledge to reduce its total energy use by a further 20% over the next five years. The company has also set the goal of achieving a level of energy efficiency in the top 10% of four-diamond hotels and resorts in Canada.

Because of its outstanding past achievement and future commitment, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, British Columbia has been named a Power Smart Certified Partner by BC Hydro. The Power Smart Certified distinction – so far given to only five organizations in B.C. – is reserved for customers who show exceptional leadership in energy efficiency within their industries.

"Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, British Columbia has clearly defined itself as a leader in electricity management," says Larry Bell, Chair and CEO of BC Hydro. "The company has taken the adoption of Power Smart to a new level with such sizable electricity reductions, and has demonstrated some of the highest standards in environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry."

Fairmont is considering more than 30 potential energy-saving projects including:

• A complete lighting retrofit of the common areas and guest rooms, and the installation of energy-efficient, year-round LED rooftop lighting at The Fairmont Empress Hotel,
• A lighting retrofit of the breezeway entrance and a rooftop lighting project at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver,
• Recommissioning of the ventilation system and heating controls at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler to ensure that they perform efficiently,
• The installation of energy-efficient lighting on the canopy and in public areas at The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, and
• A lighting upgrade in hallways and common areas at The Fairmont Vancouver Airport.

The benefits

Reduced operating costs

The planned projects will yield electricity savings estimated at $400,000, which is enough to provide power to The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for over one year. The hotels will also enjoy lower maintenance costs as a result of longer-lasting, more efficient lighting and equipment.

Increased comfort and health

The ventilation and heating system recommissioning at The Fairmont Chateau Whistler will ensure that these systems operate more efficiently, increasing the comfort of hotel guests and staff. Improved ventilation means fresher air, promoting better health and comfort.

Enhanced aesthetics

The external lighting applications will enhance the appearance of the buildings while saving lighting energy.

Reduced environmental impacts

More efficient heating and ventilation systems will conserve fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Energy-efficient lighting results in less materials use and waste.

Increased safety

Improved lighting both indoors and outdoors will provide a brighter, safer environment for visitors and hotel staff.

Contact us

Find out how Power Smart can energize your bottom line. Call us today at 604 453 6400 (Lower Mainland) or 1 866 453 6400 (elsewhere in B.C.).