Featured Resources

	Are You Overpaying for Gas or Electricity Supply? Many states have deregulated natural gas or electricity markets, allowing customers to shop around for cheaper contracts rather than utilizing the local utility.
	Building Energy Efficiency Through Mandatory Improvement Programs An increasing number of cities across the U.S. have adopted energy efficiency policies that require periodic building audits and/or retrocommissioning for commercial buildings. Learn what cities require mandatory improvements, steps to comply, and pathways to possible exemptions.
	U.S. Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Policy Map The experts at SOL VISTA influence and monitor the evolution of local energy efficiency ordinances mandating energy reporting, energy auditing, and retrocommissioning. We use this material to preempt deadlines and offer services to customers to comply with local mandates. Click the link to see a visualization of these key policies.
	The SOL VISTA Building Audit: Part 2 - Custom Data & Results In Part 2 of the series, learn about the custom results that come from a SOL VISTA building audit, including real examples from recent audits.
	The SOL VISTA Building Audit: Part 1 - Base Assessment SOL VISTA's building performance efficiency team executes a customized process for every property it inspects. Learn about the base assessment that takes place for every Building Audit customer.
	List of Hospitality Eco Programs Comprehensive list of international, national, and local hospitality/hotel-focused green certification and rating programs.
	Database of U.S. Green Rated/Certified Hotels Comprehensive lists of U.S. hotels certified/rated by one of the major hospitality eco programs--LEED®, ENERGY STAR®, Green Key®, and Green Seal®.

Articles

	Philadelphia Water Upgrades are Boosting the Local Economy Philadelphia water upgrades are boosting the local economy.
	EPA Reviewing Updated ENERGY STAR® Score Methodology Following the August 2018 release of new ENERGY STAR® scores, EPA is now reviewing the updated methodology used for certain U.S. commercial buildings, including hotels.
	Chicago's Water Taxes Telling of Increasing Costs Across U.S. Chicago residents are seeing increased water rates and taxes, leading many to believe that water costs will continue to rise across the country.
	Cities Striving to Be America's Straight-A Students Buildings in Chicago and New York will soon be required to prominently display a rating assessing energy efficiency, based on the building's ENERGY STAR® score.
	Chicago's Water Taxes Telling of Increasing Costs Across U.S. Chicago residents are seeing increased water rates and taxes, leading many to believe that water costs will continue to rise across the country.
	NYC Building Efficiency Strategies Look Ahead to the Future Ambitious energy efficiency plans in some cities are signposts for what's to come: hotter summers, colder, snowier winters – and higher utility bills.
	Prepare Your Building for the Fall Season While you enjoy the changes brought by Fall, be sure to keep in mind the changes you need to make to promote energy efficiency in your building as temperatures and environments change.
	New Updates to ENERGY STAR® Scoring for Hotels Find out about the U.S. EPA's recently released findings and the forthcoming changes to the ENERGY STAR® scoring methodology for hotels. Featured In: LODGING Magazine & Green Lodging News
	Smart Data for Dumb Buildings SOL VISTA CEO & Co-Founder Shannon Sentman shares insider tips on how an effective energy management strategy helps all buildings reduce utility costs, with or without the latest equipment. Featured In: Hotel Executive
	HUD MIP Reduction and Competitive Advantage Achieved with SOL VISTA Did you know that you can get a reduction in your HUD MIP rate to 0.25% for being energy efficient? Find out how to qualify for lower rates and ensure you aren't leaving money on the table.
	The ROI of Energy Efficiency High upfront costs can leave building operators hesistant to make energy efficiency changes. In reality, there's potential for numerous adjustments, with varying costs, that can lead to significant ROI in both the short and long term.
	Feel refreshed this Summer with 4 cost reducing tips Summer is upon us and the hours of splendid sunshine and rising temperatures mean an increase in cooling costs and water usage.
	Buildings hit with fees for not complying with energy benchmarking rules In the U.S., 16 locations, ranging from entire state policies to county laws, require some type of energy benchmarking. Many regulations are new, and the cumbersome process is costing buildings thousands of dollars every year. Featured In: LODGING Magazine
	EPA Overhauling ENERGY STAR® rating system for better hotel energy measurement The U.S. EPA and hotel organizations are working to improve the energy scoring system with a modern methodology that will better inform consumers about the true level of energy performance at hotels. Featured In: LODGING Magazine & Green Lodging News
	Installing Energy Storage at Your Hotel Leveraging data from hotels with installed energy storage systems, this article outlines the variables impacting the potential financial benefits of these systems, including evaluation of the three primary financing models--self-financing, shared-savings, and subscription--and the costs and benefits of each model in terms of buyer risk and financial returns. Featured In: LODGING Magazine Download the full white paper
	Winterize your commercial building with 4 money saving tips Winter is coming, if it isn't already here for some of you, and that can mean significant increases in energy costs if you aren't prepared.
	Conducting a Successful Energy Audit Many people see a doctor at least once a year, but how good are we about tracking the health of our buildings? If your hotel or resort hasn't had an energy audit or retrocommissioning in the past two to three years, you've likely accumulated tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in added utility costs per year. Featured In: LODGING Magazine & Green Lodging News
	Energy Benchmarking: What Is It and Why You Should Care Energy benchmarking provides the necessary building information to affect change, drive energy savings, and improve building efficiency. But what exactly is it and which groups stand to benefit the most?

Stay tuned for new energy efficiency related content written by SOL VISTA team members.

	Green Building and Sustainable Development: The Practical Legal Guide Editors: Shannon D. Sentman, Jonathan E. Furr, Nicole C. Kibert, James T. Mayer Summary: Gives lawyers the necessary information to understand and assist their clients in establishing themselves as leaders in green building and sustainable deveopment, helping them meet growing customer demand, take advantage of government incentive programs, enhance marketing opportunities, lower operating expenses in anticipation of rising utility costs, and manage risks. Format: Book Publisher: American Bar Association (ABA) Publication Date: August 25, 2009 ISBN: 978-1-60442-071-5 Available for Purchase: ABA Store
	Green Office Guide: Integrating LEED Into Your Leasing Process Authors: Mychele Lord (lead author), Shannon D. Sentman, Holley Henderson, Eugenia Robbins Summary: Provides tools and ideas that will help integrate green decision-making throughout the leasing process. Geared mainly towards office tenants and brokers, and to a lesser extent, attorneys, the new guide provides specific tools that help teams navigate the nuances of successfull execution. Tools incorporated into the guide include site selection questionaires, sample RFP language, criteria for qualifying professionals, and sample lease provisions with extensive drafting notes. Format: Book Publisher: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Publication Date: August 14, 2009 ISBN: 978-1-932444-22-3 Available for Purchase: USGBC Store
	Risk and Liability: Lessons From More Than a Decade of Green Building Authors: Shannon D. Sentman, Stephen T. Del Percio Summary: Draws from over a decade of LEED-era green building to outline lessons learned, best practices, and potential liabilities facing developers of green buildings. Format: trade magazine article Publisher: environmental design + construction (ed+c) Publication Date: July 1, 2010 Link: ed+c magazine online
	Healthy Buildings: Green Building Standards, Benefits, and Incentives Authors: Shannon D. Sentman Summary: This article discusses what makes a building "green," and how being "green" often means being healthy. It also discusses how the green building movement is being bolstered by policy and by the benefits attributable to green design and operations. Format: academic article Publisher: The Journal of Biolaw & Business Reference: Volume 12, Issue 1 Publication Date: 2009
	A Climate for Change: Green Building Policies, Programs, and Incentives Authors: Shannon D. Sentman, Stephen T. Del Percio, Preston Koerner Summary: Discusses existing green building and energy efficiency policies (incentives and mandates) and the overall trend toward increased local regulation of private development. The article also opines on potential sweeping Federal regulations that could further impact private development in the coming years. Format: academic article Publisher: Journal of Green Building Reference: Volume 3, Issue 2, Pages 46-63 Publication Date: Spring 2008
	Building Green in the Black: More Than Just the Right Thing To Do? Authors: Shannon D. Sentman, Bonni F. Kaufman, Heather Pinder Rodriguez Summary: Discusses green building rating systems, incentives, mandates, and the costs and benefits of building green. Format: academic article Publisher: The Real Estate Finance Journal Reference: Pages 27-32 Publication Date: Summer 2007

Skywalk®

The Skywalk™ building performance management software platform provides complete visibility into energy and water consumption and costs for hotel portfolio asset managers.

Energy Procurement

Our energy procurement expertise and services enable hotel owners to obtain the best rates and contract terms for electricity and natural gas in deregulated markets.

Energy & Water Audits

Our audit teams determine how to cut your hotel's utility costs while maintaining high guest satisfaction rates.

Stay tuned for new material on how SOL VISTA's energy efficiency solutions benefit hotel owners and portfolio managers.

Hotel Monaco DC

Utility Costs:	-43%
Energy Use:	-22%
Energy Rates:	-31%
Water Use:	-48%

Westin Gaslamp Quarter

Utility Costs:	-31%
Energy Use:	-30%
Energy Rates:	-10%

Hotel Monaco Seattle

Utility Costs:	-17%
Energy Use:	-14%
Water Use:	-31%

W Hotel Boston

Utility Costs:	-12%
Energy Use:	-11%
Gas Rates:	-13%
Water Use:	-12%

InterContinental Buckhead

Utility Costs:	-15%
Energy Use:	-8%
Energy Rates:	-6%
Water Use:	-17%

Viceroy Hotel Miami

Utility Costs:	-18%
Energy Use:	-9%
Gas Rates:	-30%

Healthy Buildings: Green Building Standards, Benefits, and Incentives

Mondrian Hotel LA

Utility Costs:	-21%
Energy Use:	-20%
Gas Rates:	-13%
Water Use:	-18%

	Infographic - 3 Ways to Prepare for Summer Demand In this infographic, SOL VISTA breaks down what summer demand rates are, what you can expect, and key tips to cutting back on demand and saving your building money.
	Infographic - Understanding Your Electric Bill Can't make sense of your electric bill? SOL VISTA breaks the big charges down in this infographic.
	U.S. Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Policy Map Here at SOL VISTA, we keep up with the evolution of local energy efficiency ordinances mandating energy reporting, energy auditing, and retrocommissioning. We use this material to preempt deadlines and offer services to our customers to comply with local mandates. Click the link to see a visualization of these key policies.
	List of Hospitality Eco Programs Comprehensive list of international, national, and local hospitality/hotel-focused green certification and rating programs.
	Database of U.S. Green Rated/Certified Hotels Comprehensive lists of U.S. hotels certified/rated by one of the major hospitality eco programs--LEED®, ENERGY STAR®, Green Key®, and Green Seal®.

Featured Resources

Articles

Stay tuned for new energy efficiency related content written by SOL VISTA team members.

Publications

Solutions

Stay tuned for new material on how SOL VISTA's energy efficiency solutions benefit hotel owners and portfolio managers.

Customer Snapshots - Realized Savings

Educational Content