Originally built in the 1970s, with an expansion added in the 1980s, the 100-room Campfire Hotel in Bend, Oregon, has lived several lives since its early days as a Best Western Hotel. Reimagined as a boutique hotel in 2020, the retrofitted property blends mid-century style with modern comforts, outdoor gathering spaces and a lounge popular with visitors and locals alike.
But operating a retrofitted property also means managing aging infrastructure behind the scenes.
General Manager Keagan Parks, who started at the hotel in maintenance before moving into his leadership role, has firsthand knowledge of the building’s systems. In his current role, he ensures the hotel runs smoothly, paying close attention to everything from guest comfort to building performance.
“When things are going well, I usually don’t hear about it,” said Parks. “When something isn’t working, I hear about it. In this business, no news is good news. If you’re not hearing anything bad, you’re doing something right.”
Tackling aging equipment
Many of the hotel’s room heating and cooling units were beginning to show their age. Older units could be loud, rattle or vibrate, and some struggled to maintain comfortable temperatures. In a hospitality setting where comfort and quiet are essential, even small issues can affect a guest’s stay and lead to negative online reviews.
“It’s an older property as far as hotels go and a place that was built 50 years ago isn’t the most efficient in the world,” said Parks.
Partnering with Energy Trust of Oregon
Campfire Hotel’s existing relationship with Energy Trust gave Parks a running start as he stepped into his role as general manager. When Energy Trust introduced a new incentive opportunity to upgrade HVAC equipment, he saw a chance to improve guest comfort while reducing energy use.
“Energy Trust approached us and said, ‘hey, there’s this great program going on. I know you guys have been interested in something like this before. Let’s talk about it.’”
Energy Trust worked with Parks and the hotel, a Pacific Power customer, to evaluate the property’s heating and cooling systems. Parks provided details on the existing equipment, including model numbers, installation dates and serial numbers, allowing Energy Trust to determine which units qualified for incentives.
From there, the team developed a plan to replace older units with high-efficiency packaged terminal heat pump (PTHP) systems in eligible rooms.
Campfire Hotel purchased and installed the new equipment, then submitted documentation and invoices to Energy Trust for review. Once installations were verified, Energy Trust provided cash incentives, making the upgrades more affordable.
With $28,000 in incentives, Campfire Hotel replaced 35 room units with PTHPs and installed an additional unit in the lounge area. From the first conversation to final installation, the process took about eight weeks, allowing the hotel to move quickly from planning to implementation. Annual energy savings are estimated at nearly $3,100.
“Once everything was cleared, we got a check in the mail for reimbursement. It was all very streamlined, very efficient and professional at the end of the day,” said Parks.
Quieter, more comfortable rooms
Since the upgrades, the difference has been noticeable for both the guests and staff.
The new units operate more quietly and can heat or cool rooms faster, helping staff prepare rooms more efficiently for arriving guests. Because staff turn off HVAC systems in unoccupied rooms, faster heating and cooling are especially valuable during room turnover.
For Campfire Hotel, improving efficiency is an ongoing effort. Parks and his team continue looking for ways to modernize the property while maintaining the character that makes the hotel unique.
“We will definitely work with Energy Trust again in the future. There was absolutely no reason not to do it.”
– Keagan Parks, Campfire Hotel
Learn more about how you can save energy at your business with support from Energy Trust of Oregon. Visit our cash incentives page or get started on your energy-saving project by emailing existingbuildings@energytrust.org.