From left is Mat Lindquist, Recommissioning Engineer, Center for Energy & Environment; Jean Hand, Senior Advisor, Sustainability & Operations; Fred Christley, Chief Engineer, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort; Vern Braaksma, Key Account Manager, APS; Erik Moser, Sales Engineer, Groom Energy Solutions; Joe Serna, Director of Sales & Marketing, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort; Randy Rice, Director of Engineering, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort. (submitted photo)
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa recently completed an extensive project designed to reduce the resort’s energy use and environmental impact while improving aesthetics, by converting as much of its lighting as possible to energy-efficient LEDs.
The resort partnered with two companies to complete the conversion: Arizona Public Service provided a rebate of $364,277 to help offset the over $1 million cost of the project, and Groom Energy Solutions handled the lighting design and installation, according to a press release.
Work on the project began in October and involved the installation of over 17,900 LED lamps and 220 occupancy sensors.
The conversion to LED lighting will reduce the resort’s energy use by more than 10 percent and save more than 4.4 million kilowatt hours annually, which is enough energy to power 284 Arizona homes, the release stated. It will also reduce the resort’s operating costs by more than $295,000 each year, demonstrating that sustainable investments can improve core business.
Virtually every area of the resort has been enhanced, including the parking lot, landscaped areas, lobby, guest corridors, meeting rooms (including the Grand Canyon and Sonoran Ballrooms), Revive Spa, Meritage Steakhouse at Wildfire Golf Club, stonegrill and twenty6 lounge, as well as the offices, kitchens and all other back-of-the-house areas.
“We are extremely committed to making our resort as energy efficient as possible,” stated Randy Rice, director of engineering for Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, in the release. “By partnering with APS and Groom Energy Solutions to install energy-efficient LED lighting throughout our resort, we have been able to take a major step forward that will result in a significant reduction in our energy use. We will continue to pursue and explore opportunities that will not only improve our environmental footprint but ensure our commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience.”
The LED lighting project is the latest in a series of sustainable initiatives implemented by the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. These initiatives include nightly “energy walks” to shut down lighting, gas appliances and hood exhaust hoods after the kitchens close, and the nightly shutting down of escalators, air conditioning that is not needed and pool motors not required to run the filtration system. Light timers have also been installed in equipment rooms, closets and storage rooms, and all exterior lighting is programmed to come on at sunset and go off at sunrise.
“APS is pleased to be able to partner with the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in its pursuit of energy efficiency,” stated Stacy Derstine, vice president of customer service and chief customer officer for APS, in the release. “We deeply value our business customers and are always happy to see long term investments within our community.”