Honeywell has announced the launch of INNCOM Direct, a new energy management system designed to help mid-market hotels enhance energy efficiency through automation. This launch aligns with Honeywell’s strategic focus on automation and the energy transition, two of the company’s key megatrends.
As the hospitality industry faces the reality of fluctuating occupancy rates – potentially leaving more than 30% of U.S. hotel rooms vacant at any given time throughout 2024 – INNCOM Direct provides a solution for hotels looking to manage their energy-intensive HVAC systems more effectively during periods of low occupancy.
Billal Hammoud, President and CEO of Honeywell Building Automation, highlighted the growing environmental awareness among hotels. “As hotels become more carbon-conscious, they are taking meaningful steps to show they care about their impact on the environment. Until now, mid-market hotels had limited options for automating their HVAC systems. INNCOM Direct is changing that by offering an affordable, cloud-based energy management system that’s accessible to all.”
Previously, INNCOM technology was a luxury reserved for high-end hotels. However, the introduction of INNCOM Direct democratises this advanced combination of hardware, software, and cloud monitoring, making it accessible to limited-service hotels. The system offers quick setup and provides portfolio-wide analytics that can be accessed via mobile devices or a centralised dashboard, whether for a single property or across an entire hotel portfolio.
INNCOM Direct’s proprietary detection system identifies unoccupied spaces and automatically adjusts the temperature settings to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing guest comfort. For instance, vacant guest rooms can be set to an energy-saving temperature, which then adjusts to a comfortable level upon the guest’s arrival. If a guest leaves their room for an extended period, the system shifts to an eco-friendly temperature and readjusts when the guest returns.
Halifax Hospitality, a company known for its commitment to sustainability, recently adopted INNCOM Direct for its fifth hotel in Spring Hill, Tennessee. With 92,000 square feet and 159 rooms, the hotel is double the size of what Halifax would have developed a decade ago, leading to increased operational costs.
“Hotel rooms are getting bigger and bigger, and we needed something that would deliver energy savings, especially when guests aren’t using the room or a common area is empty,” explained Hitesh Patel, Vice President of Halifax Hospitality. “Utility costs are going up just like everything else. We’re always looking to find the next big thing to cut costs where we can.”
By bringing INNCOM Direct to mid-market hotels, Honeywell is not only offering a way to manage rising energy costs but also supporting the hospitality industry’s broader shift toward sustainability. With this new system, even smaller hotels can now take meaningful steps to reduce their carbon footprint and operate more efficiently.
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