When the Hampton Inn-Biltmore Square in Asheville, N.C. began its renovations in December 2008, a major component of the project involved upgrading the hotel’s existing incandescent and fluorescent lighting.
 
Hotel management worked with Haynes Electric Construction Company to assess the hotel’s lighting needs, evaluate more energy-efficient options and ultimately install LED lighting. LED lighting was selected for the hotel because it is the most energy-efficient and cost saving alternative to fluorescents, said Dan Cardinali, service manager for Haynes Electric Construction Company.
 
LEDs also proved to be the best lighting solution for the hotel due to their dimming capabilities, which was important for hotel entryways. A mock hotel room with Cree LR6 recessed downlights was assembled prior to beginning the overall installation.
 
“I was very impressed by the quality of light provided by these LED fixtures,” said Brad Durden, director of engineering, Hampton Inns and Homewood Suites by Hilton. “By setting up a test room we were able to make adjustments to the original lighting plan, including reducing the number of fixtures needed for room entrances from two to one.”
 
Facts about the Installation:
 

• Each room of the Hampton Inn-Biltmore Square was renovated with five LR6 downlights: three in the bathroom to light the vanity and shower, one in the entryway and one over the door.

• Approximately 30 LR6 downlights with dimmable modes for day and night were installed in the hotel’s newly remodeled lobby.

• Overall, approximately 680 LED lighting fixtures were installed at the Hampton Inn.

• An analysis of the hotel’s electric bills prior to and after the renovation totaled a savings of more than 300,000 kilowatts, almost half of the original lighting output.

 
According to Brad, they will continue to look at Cree LED lighting for future property renovations because of the success at the Asheville Hampton Inn. “It will probably be three to four years before our next installation, but we will definitely be using LEDs.”