Hilton Hotels Corp. has received an Energy Star Award from the Environmental Protection Agency for the year 2000 in the Hospitality category.

Hilton`s commitment to energy management was recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Months before the term “rolling blackout” came into everyday use, Hilton Hotels was busy mapping out an energy-management plan for all its properties. Efficient use of energy plays an ever-increasing role in achieving the company`s strategic objectives by reducing costs and increasing Hilton`s competitiveness.

Hilton has been an active participant in Energy Star since its inception in 1996. Most of the company`s owned and managed properties work closely with Energy Star to maintain a strategic, systematic approach to companywide energy management.

“Energy management for our hotels is always important, but it takes on added significance when prices escalate like we`ve seen recently,” said George Neeson, vice president-engineering/ housekeeping, Hilton Hotels. “The Energy Star Award recognizes that Hilton is serious about its energy-conservation strategy.”

Hilton earned the award for 2000 by adhering to Energy Star`s five-stage approach, addressing lighting; building “tune-ups”; installation of load reducers such as window film, insulation and reflective coverings; fan system upgrades; and heating and cooling system improvements. Last year, Hilton saved more than $2.5 million in energy costs using this organized effort.

For 2001, Hilton`s energy-management resolutions include a “5-5-5” improvement at its owned and managed properties (meaning an overall reduction of 5 percent in energy use, a savings of 5 percent in energy costs (where applicable), and a 5 percent improvement on the Energy Star Hospitality benchmark tool).

Other energy-related objectives for 2001 include implementing capital investments that result in solid returns; developing awareness programs that educate guests and team members about saving money while protecting the environment through energy efficiency; and fostering a supportive environment that sustains best management practices to conserve energy.

As part of Energy Star, several Hilton properties have long been monitoring energy usage and implementing savings measures. The Waldorf-Astoria(R) in New York recently replaced 1,700 T12 fluorescent lamps and magnetic ballasts with T8 lamps, while its 100-watt incandescent bulbs were switched to 13-watt compact fluorescent lamps. These retrofits saved the property 1.2 million kilowatt-hours annually, an approximate savings of $72,000 per year.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village(R) Beach Resort and Spa, the largest resort in the state of Hawaii, has lowered energy consumption at the property with the help of the Energy Star strategy since 1998. The hotel installed motion-sensored lighting, more efficient kitchen lighting, and window film in the ballroom lounge area, and is currently in the initial phases of installing an overall energy- management system at the property.

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