This article is excerpted from the writings and Matthew Walsman Rohit Verma, Cornell Center for Hospitality Research.

In the United States and other countries in the world, LEED certification is the recognized standard for sustainable design measures or renewable energy at a hotel. Obtaining LEED certification is the best way for you to demonstrate that the project of building the hotel you really “green” or including buildings with renewable energy.

It has been known since long that the certificate of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) that can help cut operational costs for all types of buildings with renewable energy or commercial buildings. In this study, the destination is a hotel building. However, this could be a big problem for the hotel industry. The main measure of success at a hotel that is usually seen from how revenue per available room (RevPAR).

Fortunately Cornell Center for Hospitality Research has resource data outstanding from STR, a company that recorded a daily average of interest rates, occupancy, and revenue for most chain hotels in the United States. Also, is a partner of the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research. STR confidential data that allowed the research team to compare upscale certified LEED (hotel renewables) with several competitors non-LEED hotel in a study entitled, “Impact of LEED Certificate in Performance Hotel.”
They identified about 93 LEED certificate in the United States with revenue data available from the data STR during the six-year period (2007-2012). Then, the data can then be matched with their income, occupancy and daily rates for several competitor buildings renewable energy comparable hotel.

The focus of attention was paid in the period of three years. Consisting of one year prior to certification and two years afterward. During this period, the hotel that received LEED certification performed with superior financial performance compared to some other competitors were not including renewable energy. There is a limitation of study for two years after the certification because many newly certified hotel. Perhaps it would be useful to repeat this study to other hotels that want to have a LEED certified hotel and into renewable energy. By doing so, there is the rest of the time somewhat longer for the comparison process.

The hotel industry are embracing LEED was not just because of savings from the operation, but also for hotel customers want to know what the hotel in order to limit their carbon footprint. Now, we can add the benefits of increased revenues. Outside the 93 hotels that were able to participate in the study, several hundred hotels have registered their project with the USGBC. Just as one example, Marriott, now including renewable energy with LEED certificate as part of the design specifications for new construction. Also, other big brands that do the same.

On the basis of the analysis that has been done, there were 65 new hotels and 28 hotel renovated, as shown in the two graphs below. In his notes, explained that certification can follow the completion of the project in one year or more. Separating the types of projects as expected, see that the hotel is just the start of renovations to the present. In the first year after certification, they are able to pass their competitors. Some hotels renewable energy pocketed LEED certificate was the renovation process. Based on research data, some hotels it has the advantage of consistent RevPAR – even before the certification – so it remains unclear whether they get the same encouragement from the certification obtained by a newly renovated hotel.

They, Rohit Verma and Matthew Walsman, discover the benefits that an increase in renewable energy benefit to the hotel in his research at various levels. For example, renewable energy luxury hotel and upscale in the LEED category to quickly catch and pass competitors. Meanwhile, the lower class hotels in the category of non-LEED much slower to catch up. Many say most hotels they learned and conscientious is upscale or luxury properties are located in urban or suburban locations. This makes sense because a lot of the standard LEED criteria include sites that you usually find in urban areas, such as connections to public transport.

A final conclusion regarding LEED certification for hotels renewable energy, if there is the benefit to the hotel building? The answer is certainly yes, yes really bring benefits. Moreover, for a commercial building designed with renewable energy in order to be eco-friendly. Besides the comfort obtained, the customer can feel the aura and atmosphere healthy.
For consultation how to get LEED certified hotel and make renewable energy, ALTA Integra ready to serve your needs. We were also able to provide solutions to problems related to renewable energy hotel. Please contact us at:

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