�If you have got equipment such as chillers, boilers and air handlers working harder than they should, they are going to use more energy,� says Vince Goodman, engineering, lead, at the St. Louis Airport Marriott.

Mintek Mobile Data Solutions, the lodging industry�s leading provider of asset management tools such as WinTrack PM, offers the following 10 tips to reduce the impact of escalating energy costs this winter.

1. Check all laundry equipment for leaks. A leaking unit can easily lose 5 gallons per hour, which ultimately will cost a hotel $720 per month in higher water and heating bills. The heating of hot water has more environmental cost than anything you do in your laundry.

2. Find and seal air leaks that cause drafts and that make your heating and cooling systems work overtime. Sealing and insulating your building can prevent the loss of cooled or heated air and help save up to 10 percent on energy bills each year. Weather stripping on outside entrances typically lasts less than two years. 

3. Check HVAC systems for proper calibration, regularly change filters and inspect system insulation for moisture. Replace insulation if necessary. Also clean air-conditioner coils at least every three months and check for motors that are not operating properly. Lubricate motors and fans.

4. Clean kitchen washing equipment regularly. De-scale boilers on steamers and washers. Where there is lime buildup, there is bad heat transfer. Some steamers need to be de-scaled three or four times a year, depending on water hardness.

5. Pressure-valves on gas-powered kitchen equipment should be adjusted at least once or twice a year. Poorly maintained gas grills consume more energy.

6. Calibrate refrigeration equipment, especially walk-in coolers. Walk-in coolers that are poorly calibrated are less energy efficient and can result in food temperatures rising above 41 degrees F�the danger zone where customers can get sick.

7. Clean kitchen hood filters regularly to ensure maximum air flow and energy efficiency.

8. Check your lighting systems to ensure that you are not over lighting areas of your property. High-wattage incandescents consume significant amounts of energy and also generate heat. Retrofit with low-wattage fluorescents where possible to maximize energy savings.

9. Check the accuracy of all thermostats. You can also install a guestroom energy management system that powers down the heating and cooling system when guests are not present. This type of system, which often uses infrared sensor-based technology, can save a hotel owner up to 45 percent in guestroom-related heating and cooling costs. 

10. Grease fittings and all moving parts on chillers, boilers and air handlers. Replace boiler gaskets annually. Change air handler belts and filters regularly.

Mintek�s Leading PM Solution

Since 1999, Dunedin, Fla.-based Mintek Mobile Data Solutions has helped hundreds of hotels throughout the United States and Canada automate their PM processes. Mintek�s WinTrack PM software, which incorporates handheld devices and bar coding, ensures that PMs, rounds, inspections and work orders are accomplished on time. The result: a much more energy efficient operation.

WinTrack PM replaces inefficient paper-based processes still found in many hotels. Bar codes are discreetly placed on every item needing a PM. When an engineer scans a bar code on a piece of equipment, it prompts him to answer previously determined questions. After the PM has been completed, the bar code is scanned again. Each step is recorded within WinTrack PM.

Mintek�s system adds accountability to the PM process because managers know exactly when an engineer was at a piece of equipment, what was recorded, and how long the engineer was there. WinTrack PM automates PM scheduling and streamlines the work order process. Work orders can be generated automatically through the handheld based on answers provided by engineers. WinTrack PM also tracks parts information for each item needing checked, as well as the costs associated with parts and equipment replacement. 

WinTrack PM can be used throughout a hotel�not only for expensive equipment but also for guestroom inspections. Meter readings related to energy consumption also can be captured with Mintek�s PM system. If a meter reading is out of range, WinTrack PM can generate a warning message. If a PM becomes overdue, it is flagged within WinTrack PM. Mintek�s Maintenance Portal centralizes reporting so that work can be monitored from anywhere there is Internet access. 

WinTrack PM Results 

�Any mechanical system running properly is going to use less energy,� says the chief engineer at a leading hotel in Canada currently using WinTrack PM. �Where there is reduced friction between parts, reduced leakage of steam, and clean filters, there is definitely going to be energy savings.�

�WinTrack PM most definitely has helped prevent breakdowns,� adds the director of facilities at a 438-room hotel in North Carolina. �It gives me assurance going into an owner�s meeting to know that every piece of equipment has been properly maintained. It most definitely improves the guest experience.�

�Each part of WinTrack PM ensures that energy is saved where it can be saved,� says Lind Hutton, President of Mintek Mobile Data Solutions. �Studies have shown that when being proactive rather than reactive with maintenance, savings related to energy and asset replacement can be as much as 12 percent to 18 percent on average. Without a doubt, a well designed PM program can help maximize energy efficiency, extend the life of valuable equipment, minimize labor and repair costs, and keep guests and staff comfortably warm and content.�

About Mintek Mobile Data Solutions:

Mintek Mobile Data Solutions is the developer of turn-key solutions for city utilities, lodging and cable companies that provide access to customer, employee and asset information beyond the �traditional office.� Mintek�s solutions have been implemented in more than 1,500 individual locations with more than 5,000 mobile field users. Among Mintek�s clients are Plant City, Fla., Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Bright House Communications, Marriott International and Loews Hotels. For more information, call Ty Abrahams, Director of Marketing, at (727) 734-9175, or go to: www.mintek.com.