Jim Bunsey

Propane use has increased efficiency, reduced energy costs, and improved visitor experience

Ruby’s Inn takes environmental stewardship seriously, which is why the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) is awarding it with an Energy for Everyone Hero Award. Located in picturesque Bryce Canyon National Park, the historic inn relies on a clean-energy that is good for its customers and the environment—propane.

Left to Right: Brannon Morse (Kiva Energy), Karl Munford (Ruby’s Inn), Ron Harris (Ruby’s Inn), Lance Syrett (Ruby’s Inn), Jim Bunsey (PERC), Jeff Stewart (Blue Star Gas), Michael Prayoonvech (Rinnai)

Propane use at Ruby’s Inn has helped to eliminate 5,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent. This is equal to greenhouse gas emissions from:

• 1,410 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.
• 771,822,585 smartphones charged.
• 795 homes’ energy use for one year.

Lance Syrett, general manager at Ruby’s Inn

“Being located next to a national park, we always think about our carbon footprint,” said Lance Syrett, Ruby’s Inn general manager. “We are confident about using propane. It’s efficient, it’s always available, and it’s a clean energy source for us to use.”

Ruby’s Inn has been serving visitors since 1916, well before the Bryce Canyon became a national park. On average, Ruby’s Inn greets as many as 4,000 guests per night. With 19 buildings, 700 hotel rooms, three restaurants, three swimming pools, and a laundry facility handling 19 tons of laundry per day, the resort’s hot water system was under a tremendous amount of strain. A few years back, customer dissatisfaction with cold showers led to financial loss for the resort to the tune of approximately $60,000 a year in guest discounts and refunds.

Ruby’s Inn fixed its hot water demand issues by removing older model open-flame boilers and replacing them with several high-efficient 199,000 Btu storage tank water heaters, and 175 propane-powered tankless water heaters from Rinnai—giving the Inn a completely revitalized system. The propane tankless water heaters also support the Inn’s environmental focus. Based on an energy and environmental analysis of different energy sources, propane tankless systems reduce carbon emissions by up to 50 percent compared with electric storage tank systems.

Jim Bunsey, director of commercial business development at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)

“The hospitality industry knows how important reliable water heating units are for a successful operation,” said Jim Bunsey, director of commercial business development at PERC. “Water heating represents seven percent of all energy use in commercial buildings. Six building types—lodging, healthcare, retail, education, food service, and office—represent 85 percent of all commercial building water heating energy consumption.”

“It’s important to Ruby’s Inn to use an energy source that is cost-effective, reliable and efficient,” said Syrett. “Propane fulfills those needs and it helps keep the beautiful environment clean. It just makes sense.”

Learn more about Ruby’s Inn’s commitment to the environment and how propane is used at RubysInn.com/Sustainability-Initiative. Learn more about the benefits of propane in commercial and hospitality buildings at Propane.com/for-my-business.