Times are tough making it ever more important to trim expenses. Sustainability is about most efficiently using your resources, which translates into savings. Our consulting packages for waste, water and energy conservation provide our clients with immediate returns with little or no initial investment. From implementing recycling programs to optimizing HVAC performance, the savings add up without impacting the guest experience.

Our philosophy starts with instituting no and low cost solutions for our clients first, such as our utility bill analysis and simple energy upgrades to medium and high cost solutions such as window glazing and LEED certification. The vast majority of our solutions result in quick ROIs, typically under 18 months, no matter the initial cash outlay, making “going green” the best investment of your portfolio.

Consulting

Certifications
Hotels are one of the few industries that can really take advantage of the marketing power of green initiatives. For example, if a hospital obtains a green certification, you probably wouldn’t change doctors to go to the green hospital, but if you’re choosing a hotel, the likelihood is significantly higher. Therefore, certifications for hotels are an important process in securing green revenues.

We recommend
For Florida hotels interested in basic sustainability FGLP (Florida Green Lodging Program) – Beefed up and streamlined after it’s makeover in the summer of 2009, the program is stronger than ever. Over 600 hotels in Florida have been designated since February 2010, making it the most popular designation for hotels in Florida by leaps and bounds. The reason? It’s relatively simple, does not take too much time, and (drum roll please) it’s FREE. Downside? The program is very basic, and while a great start, it will not produce much in the way of savings.

For hotels interested reducing operating expenses & going the extra mile: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) – The defacto standard in green building in the US, this comprehensive program produces the best results in terms of reduced utility and operational expenses as well as green marketing, especially since very few hotels have succeeded in obtaining the certification. The downside? It’s the most expensive certification and can take up to 2 years to complete.

Hotels in the Caribbean
Green Globe - As an Affiliate Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), partly owned by the World Travel & Tourism Council and a member of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) Governing Council, this certification launched in 1993 making it an old timer in the sustainability world. Green Globe has received good traction in the Caribbean and is considered by some to be the best known international certification for hotels. At the end of 2009, Green Globe became the only certification endorsed by CAST. With a focus on corporate social responsibility and a sizable marketing component, there are definite benefits to going Green Globe. The downside? Expense. Not as pricey as LEED, but can easily run several thousand dollars a year.

Hotels interested in saving money
Energy Star – A free program developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star has a great online tool call Portfolio Manager to assess how energy efficient your building is in comparison to comparable buildings in an extensive database. If your building ranks in the top 75% percentile, your building qualifies for an Energy Star label and may be eligible for federal tax incentives. Quick, straightforward and powerful, every building should know their Portfolio Manager score. Downside? None that we can see. International hotels can even participate.*** CONTACT US FOR A NEW CLIENT PORTFOLIO MANAGER SCORE FOR FREE**

Up and coming certifications in the market
Green Seal - mostly known for certifying green products, Green Seal has entered the hotel certification field with force. Same price point as Green Globe without as much marketing punch. Green Key – a Canadian import, this certification shows promise through its marketing power coupled with very low fees.

Ecosante can assist hotels in choosing which certification makes the most sense. We are also LEED Accredited Professionals, Energy Star Service Providers and Green Globe Accredited Auditors, allowing us to provide consulting and auditing services, where appropriate.

Energy Efficiency

Utility Bill Analysis
With so many clients, utility companies are known for not always billing correctly or putting customers on the correct rate schedules. Billions of dollars each year go unnoticed from our pockets to the utility’s bottom line. Our sophisticated service analyzes billing and obtains a credit for our clients. We have been able to present some clients up to an $80,000 check just for past billing errors in six weeks. The cost to you – nothing unless we recover funds. If we do, the funds are split 50/50.

Energy Star Analysis
Energy Star Portfolio Manager is a sophisticated system created by the US EPA to benchmark thousands of buildings across the United States and the world. Your building is ranked from 1 – 100, 100 representing the highest level of efficiency. Buildings with a score of 75 or more are eligible for the Energy Star label and are good candidates for federal tax deductions. The report also calculates carbon emissions.

Energy Audits
After benchmarking, an energy audit is the most important step in saving money. Audits identify areas for improvements and recommendations to increase energy efficiency; extremely important considering the impact to the environment as well as your pocket – energy is typically the second highest expense after labor. Audits identify no and low cost options, producing a rapid ROI. Reports can follow ASHRAE standards.

Environmental Waste Services
Analyzing waste needs is typically overlooked. EWS performs a waste audit to determine the client’s needs, then re-structures waste systems to incorporate or optimize recycling rates, thereby lowering expenses.

Water Audits
We analyze water usage to determine if consumption is aligned with needs and seek to reduce the cost of a commodity that is commonly overpaid.

Sustainable Cuisine & Agriculture
The “Farm to Table” concept, pioneered by world renowned chef, author and restaurateur Robert Oliver, integrates refined local culture into menus while economically empowering the host community, lowering food costs, offering fresher and more nutritious food to guests and creating a marketing advantage. Already successfully deployed in high end properties throughout the Caribbean and South East Asia, it’s a magnificent way contribute to the local community, the environment and your

Sustainable Landscaping
Author and pioneer James Jiler integrates sustainability into landscaping preserving the natural beauty of the area while lowering maintenance and water costs through the use of xeriscaping and permaculture.

Auditing

Green Globe
The leading international certification in the world for hotels, it is also one of the oldest, created after the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit of 1992. Partially owned by the WTTC (World Trade and Tourism Council), over 1000 hotels are currently certified in over 100 countries. For more information, go to www.greenglobe.com.

Training
Environmental Education and Training programs for Managers, Staff & Cleaning Companies