One of the First Hotels in America to Use E-tube Solar Technology

The St. Regis Aspen Resort, is making major strides in decreasing its carbon footprint with the completion of a solar project with expectations to decrease the hotel's natural gas usage seasonally by as much as 30 percent. The hotel's solar contractor, Altech Solar, began installing solar e-tubes in December 2008, and has now mounted over 1300 solar tubes on the resort's roof, which will utilize the sun as a natural heat source.

Using the sun's energy, solar e-tubes — also known as heat pipes — are capable of heating water in the vacuum tube arrays to temperatures above 400 degrees. The heated water circulates through the top of the tubes, where it is pumped to storage tanks and dispersion loops. This system is tied into the resort's main domestic water loop where it provides heat for domestic water for sinks and showers, the resort's Remede spa and the heated pool and whirlpools.

A sophisticated digital system regulates pumps, valves and water quantity to maintain the desired range of water temperature. Solar heated water supplements and takes the place of natural gas heated water until the temperatures in those tanks drop below a set minimum temperature, for example, after the sun goes down or dense cloud cover takes over. At that point, the system seamlessly reverts to heating the building's water with natural gas, until the cycle commences the next day.

"The St Regis Aspen and our parent company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, made a large capital investment in this project as part of our green initiatives," says St. Regis Aspen Resort General Manager Senih Geray. "We are committed to significantly reducing the energy used by the hotel, because we believe in working toward a more sustainable and ecologically sound future."

Occupying one of the world's best addresses at the base of Aspen Mountain, the St. Regis Aspen Resort provides the quintessential mountain resort experience. With fine accommodations, anticipatory service symbolized by signature St. Regis butlers, superb amenities, the indulgent Remede Spa, and 20,000 square feet of function space, guests receive an unmatched experience in a town famous for bliss.

With a range of accommodations offering town and mountain views, the St. Regis Aspen Resort is well-suited as a romantic getaway, a family resort or a distinctive venue for successful meetings and events. St. Regis Aspen features 179 guestrooms and suites. The east wing of the resort features the exquisitely appointed St. Regis Residence Club, Aspen comprised of 25 spacious two- and three-bedroom fractional residences and a private members' lounge. The fractional residences may be rented when available. For information or reservations, call 970-920-3300.