Easy Energy Installs Solar Water Heating at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel

Easy Energy Installs Solar Water Heating at Grand Canyon Railway Hotel

Northern Arizona tourist destination embraces solar water heating for resort operations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 18, 2011

Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix-based Easy Energy has just announced the completed installation of one of the largest domestic
solar water heating systems in the state of Arizona at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts. The solar water heating system is designed to offset the use of natural gas in various boilers throughout the hotel, which caters to Grand Canyon tourists from all over the world in the historic town of Williams, AZ.

Solar Water Heating works well in Northern Arizona climates, despite the cold winters.  “The solar collectors and storage tanks will work together all year long to deliver significant water heating savings to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel,” says
Brian Bartel, Managing Member of Easy Energy.

The two major components of the large thermal array, the rooftop mounted Skyrunner solar collectors and the 500 gallon storage tanks, were fabricated in Phoenix, AZ, by Big Solar, Inc.   Lower distribution costs from the manufacturer to the project site
helped keep the project cost lower than average for a similar sized system.  Chris Lane, Vice President of Environment Affairs for Xanterra Hotels & Resorts says solar water heating was implemented at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel due to the short payback period and a company initiative to implement more renewable energy sources throughout its portfolio.   “Energy costs rank in the top three categories of expenses for hotels and we are investigating every possible way to lower those costs along with supporting a more sustainable environment.”

About Easy Energy

Easy Energy is a Registered Arizona Solar Contractor based in Phoenix, Arizona, and operates state-wide. The company has designed and installed 28 commercial solar energy systems since 2008. Easy Energy administers the paperwork for customers to receive applicable rebates, tax incentives, building permits and financing. For more information on Easy Energy’s solar energy solutions for commercial applications, please call (602) 302-7640 or visit www.easyenergyweb.com

About Xanterra Parks & Resorts

Xanterra Parks & Resorts® (consisting of several affiliated Xanterra entities) operates lodges, restaurants, tours and activities at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country’s largest park concessioner. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the following locations: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Rocky Mountain and
Petrified Forest National Parks, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley, Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va. and eight Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been committed to the preservation and protection of the environment for many years. Through its environmental program, “Ecologix,” Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been recognized repeatedly for environmental leadership in the hospitality industry and is the recipient of many honors, including major awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Travel Industry Association of America, American Hotel and Lodging Association, National Parks Conservation Association, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Colorado Department of Public Health, State of Arizona, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

For more information about Xanterra Parks & Resorts, links to individual properties and reservations numbers, visit www.xanterra.com.

Easy Energy Completes Solar Water Heating Project at Orange Tree Golf Resort

Scottsdale Resort sees more than 30% annual savings on domestic water heating costs

January 6, 2011

Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix-based Easy Energy has just announced the completed installation of a solar water heating system at the Orange Tree Golf Resort, one of Arizona’s finest luxury golf resort destinations. The solar water heating system is designed to offset the natural gas usage in the nine large boilers throughout the Scottsdale Golf Resort. It is estimated that the new system will save 465 tons of CO2 annually, which equates to planting 34,500 trees each year. The new system provides all 160 Orange Tree Golf Resort guest rooms and on-site laundry facilities with water heated by the Arizona sun.

“Solar Water Heating is the most efficient way to capture solar sunlight,” says Brian Bartel, Managing Member of Easy Energy. “With over 300 days of abundant sunshine available every year, the Phoenix area is ideal for implementing widespread solar technology. Any Arizona business operation that heats water without incorporating solar technology, including Hotels, Laundromats, Apartment Communities and Hospitals, are wasting money and fossil-fuel resources,”

Easy Energy installed over 200 flat panel solar collectors on the resort’s rooftops and added large storage tanks in the boiler room to optimize the efficiency of the system. The entire project installation took approximately six weeks from start to finish.

The installation of solar is one of several initiatives the Orange Tree Golf Resort has undertaken to become more sustainable. Bruce Hamm, General Manager of the Orange Tree Golf Resort, says the benefits are two fold. “The solar water heating system has decreased our overall energy costs, and guests appreciate our efforts to be more environmentally conscious.”

With swift installation, affordable financing and significant reductions in operating costs over time, Easy Energy is making solar water heating a smart investment for Arizona businesses like Orange Tree Golf Resort. “I am proud to offer money-saving solutions for businesses in the energy sector and even more proud to accomplish the objective with nearly exclusive use of American-made materials and an Arizona labor force.” says Holly Rodriguez, Managing Member of Easy Energy.

About Easy Energy

Easy Energy is a Registered Arizona Contractor based in Phoenix, Arizona, operating state-wide. The company designs, installs and maintains commercial solar energy systems. Easy Energy administers the paperwork for customers to receive applicable rebates, tax incentives, building permits and financing. The company has plans to expand its service territory outside of Arizona and incorporate other forms of renewable energy that will offer long-term energy savings for business owners. For more information on Easy Energy’s solar energy solutions for commercial or residential use, please call (602) 302-7640 or visit www.easyenergyweb.com

About Orange Tree Golf Resort

A member of Shell Vacations Hospitality , which manages Vacation Ownership resorts around the country, the 160-suite Orange Tree Golf Resort is one of Arizona’s finest luxury golf resort destinations. Recently awarded a finalist for the Scottsdale Green By Design Award from the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Orange Tree Golf Resort has been recognized by the community for it’s green efforts in reducing non-recyclable waste, reducing water usage and implementing a recycling program on property. Make Reservations or find out more information about Orange Tree Golf Resort on the web at www.shellhospitality.com.

La Mirada Apartment Community Puts Summer Sunshine to Good Use

PHOENIX — (May 24, 2010) ― La Mirada Apartment Community is reaping the benefits of the sun by installing a large solar water heating system on its property located in Northern Phoenix. The solar water heating system will provide a significant portion of the hot water needed for residents living at the 300-unit multi-family housing community. It is estimated that La Mirada Apartment Community will decrease the associated natural gas bill by 30%, which insulates residents against rising energy costs for the future.

“Solar Water Heating is extremely efficient, especially in the perpetually sunny and warm Phoenix climate,” says Brian Bartel, President of Easy Energy. With over 300 days of abundant sunshine available every year, the Phoenix area is ideal for implementing widespread solar technology. “Solar Water Heating is an especially good fit for businesses that have significant hot water needs like Hotels, Apartment Communities and Laundromats because daytime heat can be stored in large volumes of water to use even after the sun goes down,” adds Bartel.
Chuck Carlson, President of the Homeowners Association that owns La Mirada, says “Incorporating solar water heating technology will save money for our residents in the long run.” He adds, “Our current and future residents will feel good about living in a community that is more sustainable and environmentally conscious, without sacrificing any comforts.”

Solar water heating works by pumping cool water through solar collectors and returning the warmed water to storage tanks, where the water is drawn for use. In commercial applications, large natural gas boilers are typically used to heat large volumes of water. Solar water heating decreases the demand on the boilers, extending the life of the boiler and saving on natural gas costs.

About Easy Energy

Easy Energy is a Registered Arizona Contractor based in Phoenix, Arizona. The company designs, installs and maintains commercial solar energy systems. Easy Energy administers the paperwork for customers to receive applicable rebates, tax incentives, building permits and financing. The company has plans to expand its service territory outside of Arizona and incorporate other forms of renewable energy that will offer long-term energy savings for business owners. For more information on Easy Energy’s solar energy solutions for commercial or residential use, please call (602) 302-7640 or visit our website.

About La Mirada Apartment Community

La Mirada is located is North Phoenix at 1350 E. Northern Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85020. The community offers spacious units, two swimming pools, covered parking and welcomes families and pets.