Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008 - (Page 5)

The Green Benefit from the Roof Down As you have most likely noticed, facilities across North America are rolling out the “Green” carpet for their guests, by using environmentally-preferable cleaning products; energy conserving heating, cooling, and lighting systems; and achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Additionally, many facilities are finding that contrary to original concerns, going Green is actually cost-effective rather than an expense. For instance, switching all light bulbs to compact fluorescents not only can save huge amounts of electricity, but the bulbs last five times longer than conventional light bulbs. Some U.S. hotels, for example, are also experimenting with key card systems to help conserve energy—a common strategy in Europe and other parts of the world. By inserting the key in a guest room, it activates lighting, HVAC systems, and other electronics; while removing the key turns it all off. According to the Pittsburgh Westin Convention Center, the cost of installing this system in all their hotel guest rooms was recouped after only 15 months, due to energy savings. While some of these environmentally-responsible measures are quite visible to guests, many facilities are incorporating new energy-saving and environmentally-responsible measures that often go unnoticed, including the installation of Green roofing systems. These systems, though a by Jim Lindell A Green roof atop a large facility in Chicago, IL. to six inches of soil that is specially formulated to help the vegetation thrive, and in which small, hearty plants, like sedums, grasses, and other smaller vegetation, are planted. Traditionally, the growth Understanding the Green on Top medium and vegetation are inGarden roofs with thick soil stalled directly on the roof, similar depths and large plants and to building a backyard garden. shrubs, often referred to as inThese built-in-place systems tensive Green roofs, are open for have worked well for decades, but guests to enjoy at many properties they can be costly and relatively GRB_3.5 in recent 3/4/08 9:42 AM Page likely one around the world. And, x 4.875_4C slow to install, which is1 (continued on page 10) years, these roofs even include crops, such as fruits and vegetables, which are cared for by local farmers. However, these types of roofs are not the kinds of Green roofs typically installed in facilities. What is being used by facilities today are extensive Green roofs— systems that ULTRASON X are relatively light so they SILENT, OUTDOOR BIRD CONTROL can be supported on a • State of the Art Ultrasonic Sound wide variety • Guaranteed to repels pigeons, sparrows, starlings, woodpeckers, gulls & more of rooftops. T h e y u s u - 300 N. Elizabeth St. 800-662-5021 ally include Chicago, IL 60607 • Dept. EHT 312-BAN-BIRD a growth meWWW.BIRD-X.COM/EHT Fax 312-226-2480 dium, which THE BIRD CONTROL “X-PERTS” SINCE 1964 involves two more common in Europe than in the U.S., have recently been scrutinized more closely due to studies that prove their economic and environmental benefits. Get Rid of Birds! April 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 5 http://WWW.BIRD-X.COM/EHT

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008 Contents Executive Corner Green Certification Issues The Green Benefit from the Roof Down Frugal Housekeeper LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Greening with Mats A Greener Approach to Laundry Feature Article 2008 Candidate Information The Green Scene 2008 Convention Information Get Into the "O-Zone" Product Highlights CEH/REH Members New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - April 2008

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