Green EMS - theWit Hotel Electrifies Chicago With Innovative EAI - CentraLite ZigBee-based Hospitality Energy Management

    KITTRELL, NC, November 07, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- theWit, a Doubletree Hotel, is taking Chicago visitors by storm - lightning bolt and all. Experience the charged atmosphere of one of Chicago's newest boutique hotels immersed in the heart of the downtown inner circle. Awe-inspiring views, elite shopping, renowned theater palaces, stellar guest attractions, and vibrant Chicago businesses are literally steps away from the opulent, modern guest rooms and suites of theWit.

In a way, theWit's signature lightning bolt of excitement and energy also eludes to the bold step taken to incorporate one of the most comprehensive, customizable energy management systems in hotel properties. Concern for the environment and resources in addition to optimal guest comfort drives theWit's "green" efforts. theWit has embraced Energy Authority International's energy management system (EMS) based on ZigBee standards - reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard.

Why should hotel guests care about ZigBee? Energy management utilizing the ZigBee wireless mesh network system not only saves a tremendous amount of energy, it increases service and guest comfort for theWit guests. Installation of the customizable energy management products is fast - because it is wireless, so rooms remain available for occupancy. Scott Greenberg, President and Co-Owner of ECD, said "I am convinced Energy Authority International's CentraLite EMS solution was the best choice for us at theWit. Each part of the system is so well thought out.
1. The guest facing wall thermostat is intuitive and easy to read.
2. The interface screens that our front desk staff and on-site engineers interact with provides us excellent room by room control of our HVAC system as well as real time intelligence on what is happening with the temperature in each and every room.
3. While the EAI Centralite ZigBee system an inexpensive system to install, for what it does, it pays for itself in three to four years of energy cost savings and it allows us to make our guests happy right now. What's not to like?"

With EAI's custom CentraLite products and proprietary management software, managers of theWit can check, verify and alter the operation of heating, cooling, and occupancy service of guests rooms and hotel service rooms from anywhere in the world via the web-based interface. "The installation of the overall EAI - CentraLite ZigBee mesh EMS solution was integrated and controlled, which allows us to manage all of our 500+ devices from anywhere. It also allows us to get alerts, business intelligent statistics, and real time updates on how to better manage our overall energy costs and HVAC mechanical efficiencies for theWit Hotel very effectively," said Darrin Pinkham, CTO of theWit/ECD Co.

Amidst the eclectic ambiance and comfort of theWit hotel, guests enjoy the green, technology-driven services without noticing changes. When guests leave the room, occupancy sensors will adjust room temperatures for maximum efficiency until the guest re-enters the room and the temperature will automatically adjust back to the guests preferred setting.

Occupancy sensors also add to the security of guests and can indicate if a room is occupied that should not have occupants based on registration information that is seamlessly integrated with a hotel's registration software through the proprietary CentraLite software - the shining star and control helm of EAI's management products.

theWit was is a Doubletree Hotel property under the umbrella of Hilton Hotels Corporation. Hilton properties run on a proprietary custom-developed back-end system, named OnQ and EAI's CentraLite software was readily customized to satisfy the need to seamlessly integrate wireless services with Hilton's international hotel registration system.

EAI's wireless management products and software has the ability to deliver other wireless services that are not demonstrated in the set of services chosen for installation at theWit such as lighting controls. Guests can choose what lights are left on when they leave a room and occupancy sensors will turn the lights off after a pre-set time of being unoccupied. When guests return, the same lights immediately turn on when the door senses entry. This saves precious energy but also provides the guest with 100% compliance in providing that their needs and wishes are met concerning their preferences without compromising convenience or security.

Security lighting settings are of paramount importance to property owners. When guests enter a room, the door sensor can trigger foyer lights to be turned on. Guests never enter a dark room! Using EAI's highly-customizable, wireless CentraLite software and products, theWit will be able to install these or other new services at the drop of a hat giving them the ability to add the latest, cutting-edge guest services and conveniences well before any other hotel.

theWit's appeal and pizzazz is undeniable which truly makes it a destination spot in the heart of the Windy City. "Having worked with technology focused hotels for 20 years, it was a pleasure to see that theWit implemented the latest technology products available, throughout the property. Every hotel in the industry says that they are going to be the leader in technology, but theWit did it!" said Matthew Mrowczynski, President & CEO of Energy Authority International. Knowing what theWit has done to incorporate green technology behind the obvious and lavish scenes of decor, restaurants and comfort features proves that theWit has truly gone the extra mile in providing guest comfort, safety and service.

About Energy Authority International, LLC

Energy Authority International, an emerging leader in hospitality and large facility energy management, is committed to delivering energy-saving, sustainable solutions under the ZigBee Wireless Mesh platform. Utilizing cutting-edge, proprietary software that makes energy management possible from anywhere in the world, EAI's core CentraLite products and energy management systems provide the perfect wireless hardware solutions for newly constructed buildings and existing buildings which minimizes installation or retrofit projects. EAI provides that all energy-saving products can be installed very quickly, minimizing room down-time and eliminating costly structural room renovations.

Property owners and managers can better achieve substantial energy savings and LEED certifications when using customizable EAI energy management hardware and software as a part of their overall LEED certification strategy, while also greatly enhancing guest or occupant safety, comfort and enjoyment. For more information about Energy Authority International, LLC energy management solutions, visit http://www.EnergyAuth.com

Contact EAI
Matthew Mrowczynski
President and CEO
http://www.energyauth.com
Sales & Marketing
Energy Authority Intl., LLC
Ph: 248-818-0669
Fax:248-920-0352
[email protected]

About theWit Hotel
www.theWithotel.com
AAA Four Diamond theWit Hotel (201 N. State St.) is a new luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Chicago's energetic Loop theater district. theWit is a flagship property developed by Scott Greenberg of the ECD Company and is affiliated with the Doubletree brand of Hilton Hotels. Clients enjoy the benefits of membership in HHonors, Hilton's reward program for loyal guests. Four-diamond service with a clever twist is the hallmark of theWit experience, and the hotel's stylishly irreverent character is inspired by the culture and self-expression so inherent in its urban surroundings. Designed by Chicago architect Jackie Koo with interiors by Cheryl Rowley, theWit holds 238 hotel rooms; 60 suites; two full floors of meeting and event space; SCREEN, a state-of-the-art multimedia theater; and three dining concepts: cibbo matto, STATE AND LAKE, and a 27th-floor lounge, ROOF. The property also offers guests an opportunity for tranquility at its full-service spa (Spa@theWit) and health club. theWit is a sleek, contemporary hotel offering a new kind of lifestyle hospitality experience.

About CentraLite
www.centralite.com
CentraLite Systems Inc. has been designing and manufacturing lighting control systems since 1997. CentraLite's open system design allows easy integration of third party devices. The company's award-winning products include Elegance , the ultimate in hard-wired control, the more economical LiteJet , winner of Electronic House Publishing's 2005 Product of the Year and JetStream , winner of Electronic House Publishing's 2008 Product of the Year. Recently CentraLite Systems announced its Energy Management System based on this JetStream Product Line which uses Zigbee Wireless Technology.

About ZigBeeÒ - ZigBee Alliance - ZigBee Wireless Mesh Networking
The goal of the ZigBee Alliance is to provide the consumer with ultimate flexibility, mobility, and ease of use by building wireless intelligence and capabilities into everyday devices. ZigBee technology will be embedded in a wide range of products and applications across consumer, commercial, industrial and government markets worldwide. For the first time, companies will have a standards-based wireless platform optimized for the unique needs of remote monitoring and control applications, including simplicity, reliability, low-cost and low-power.

Contact EAI:
Matthew Mrowczynski
President and CEO
Sales & Marketing
Energy Authority Intl., LLC
Ph: 248-818-0669
Fax:248-920-0352
[email protected]

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