Marriott Hotels Cuts Energy Costs with Vending Machine Technology

Marriott hotels is turning to energy-efficient vending machine technology to help lower the hotel chain’s energy costs. Two of Marriott’s locations in San Jose, Texas — the Marriott Riverwalk and the Marriott Rivercenter — have recently installed VendingMiser products into its vending machines.

Using an infrared sensor, VendingMiser powers down a vending machine when the area surrounding it is unoccupied and automatically re-powers the vending machine when the area is reoccupied. In addition, the product monitors the ambient temperature while the vending machine is powered down to ensure that the vended product stays cold. Tests conducted USA Technologies, the product’s maker, have shown its VendingMiser technology can reduce energy costs by almost half, saving as much as $150 a year per vending machine.

“The Marriott first converted several vending machines with VendingMisers to test their performance, and after evaluating the cost saving benefits for them, they decided to expand the program to all vending machines in both hotels,” said John McLaughlin, vice president of sales at USA Technologies.

The VendingMiser is one of a variety of energy management products designed to significantly lower energy consumption in vending machines, coolers, snack machines and other commercial equipment.