Westbury, NY - December 11th, 2013 - Demonstrating their green leadership and commitment to a cleaner Long Island, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and the Viana Hotel & Spa in Westbury announced the completion of numerous energy efficiency upgrades, making the luxury hotel the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified hotel on Long Island.
“It is encouraging to have local businesses like the Viana Hotel and Spa participating in LIPA’s Commercial Efficiency Program,” said LIPA VP of Environmental Affairs Michael J. Deering. “By capitalizing on our energy efficiency programs local businesses can reduce their usage, enhance their bottom line and help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”
The hotel has obtained the coveted LEED certification from the Long Island Chapter of the United States Green Building Council for the new construction which employed various energy efficient measures including LED Lighting and InnCom , an energy management systems for guest rooms to help carefully monitor utility costs through computerized automation equipment that can switch off lights and electronic devices as well as reduce or raise the thermostat temperature according to when a guest room is occupied or not. In addition the hotel installed CO2 sensors to control parking garage exhaust fans, highly insulated roofing and windows and efficient condensing boilers and water heaters. These energy-saving measures which were overseen by the LEED Consultant firm, the Cotocon Group will result in future energy savings and subsequent cost savings for the hotel.
"By achieving LEED certification, the Viana Hotel and Spa has recognized the importance of environmental stewardship and the great potential that LEED certification can offer the hospitality industry. LEED ensures a healthier, more comfortable experience for the patrons of the Viana and we are extremely grateful for the leadership that the Viana and LIPA have demonstrated on this project," said Sammy Chu, Chairman USGBC-LI.
“As an energy professional, I enjoy working with LIPA’s management team which has proven to be enlightened and creative. Energy savings is very important because every energy dollar saved means more dollars to improve our schools & infrastructure - better our communities and create jobs and the Viana is a perfect example of how to get it done,” said Jimmy Carchietta, LEED AP Founder and CEO of The Cotocon Group.
The cumulative result of these improvements will save the hotel approximately 104,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy per year, equating to approximately $20,000 in savings and will have the equivalent effect of reducing 200 cars from the road over the next twenty years.
Through its participation in the Commercial Efficiency component of LIPA’s Efficiency Long Island initiative, Viana Hotel & Spa received $ 60,360 in rebates from LIPA which includes $10,000 for LEED points. LIPA partially funded the energy modeling services, valued at over $17,000 and Fundamental Commissioning Technical Assistance services, valued at approximately $ 22,000.
In addition to the efficiency measures, solar panels were installed to qualify the hotel as a renewable energy facility. The Viana Hotel received an additional rebate from LIPA’s Solar Entrepreneur program for $37,500.
Efficiency Long Island is a 10-year, $924 million energy efficiency program launched this year, which offers a wide array of incentives, rebates and initiatives to LIPA’s residential and commercial customers to assist them in reducing their energy usage and thereby lowering their bills.
About LIPA
LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2011, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency and duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at www.lipower.org.
Pictured: Jimmy Carchietta, Cotocon Group; Michael Deering, LIPA; Alan Mindel, Viana Hoel & Spa; John Franceschina, LIPA; Takir Rafiq, Viana Hoel & Spa.