Congratulations to Ritz-Carlton Marina Del Rey for winning the Cool Planet Award, Hospitality sector, from The Climate Registry, and to Willdan's SCE Lodging Energy Efficiency Program team for helping craft an exceptional efficiency upgrade project.

In 2014 - 2015, the hotel aggressively reduced its energy consumption by installing HVAC controls, electronically commutated (EC) motors in walk-in refrigerators and freezers, variable frequency drives on pool and spa pumps, LED lighting, and building management system upgrades. These enhancements saved 1.5 million kWh, reducing peak demand by 186 kW. In addition, in response to California's drought State of Emergency, the hotel replaced all guest room toilets with a more water-efficient dual-flush unit, saving an estimated 861k gallons of water annually (=20,500 loads of laundry).

More on the Cool Planet Award.

L-R in photo: Cynthia Davis (SCE), Jeff Poullath and Gene Poutoa (both from Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey), Gwen Strickland, and Ryan Rodriguez (both from Willdan). Photo by Juice Box Media