MILWAUKEE, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Telkonet, Inc. (OTC BB: TKOI), developer of the revolutionary EcoSmart energy management platform incorporating patented Recovery Time™ technology, is pleased to announce today that Marriott International, with over 3,700 properties in 74 countries, has selected Telkonet as an Approved Vendor in providing occupancy-based energy management technology throughout all of its hospitality brands worldwide. 

As well as being designated as an Approved Vendor in the January 2013 editions of all Marriott Full Service Hotel Design Standards, Telkonet's EcoSmart energy management solutions will also be included in the Select Service Brands editions later this year for Courtyard, Fairfield, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and TownPlace properties.  These Design Standards apply to both U.S. and international new-builds and renovations.

"Currently, only about one-fifth of Marriott hotels have an energy management system, a situation that we are aggressively seeking to improve with partners such as Telkonet.  Our global sustainability goals include further reductions in energy and water consumption of 20 percent by 2020 and we believe that Telkonet is poised to help us meet and exceed these energy reduction initiatives at any Marriott property," said Terry C. Smith, VP of Engineering at Marriott International.  "Telkonet has proven to be extremely reliable, innovative and service-oriented while their products are very guest-friendly," added Smith.

Gerrit Reinders, Telkonet's Executive VP of Sales and Marketing stated, "We are very pleased with our growing relationship with Marriott International, one of the world's most respected names in hospitality.  This selection opens the door to a number of revenue opportunities for Telkonet, and easily provides Marriott properties with the tools required to pursue operational efficiency utilizing EcoSmart technology.  The Marriott brand consists of over 640,000 rooms and to empower these property owners with the ability to wirelessly monitor and control heating, cooling and lighting usage on a room-by-room basis is what distinguishes Telkonet's capabilities from other industry participants.  Based on previous similar installations, we've proven that real-time energy cost reductions of 30% - 40% are attainable in these environments, a significant harvesting of savings from a building's energy expenses."

The Telkonet technology platform also allows building owners to participate in demand response to balance electricity production and consumption right down to the individual EcoSmart intelligent thermostats within each and every room.  By shifting or reducing energy demands (load shedding) from those spaces that are unoccupied to those that are, the EcoSmart system maximizes a property's energy efficiency while eliminating unnecessary power consumption. 

EcoSmart is the only energy management system that delivers optimum, individual room energy savings without compromising occupant comfort, thanks to Telkonet's patented Recovery Time™ technology that works quite differently from other in-room energy management systems.

Recovery Time™ Technology
All EcoSmart systems feature Recovery Time™, technology designed to maximize energy efficiency and savings without sacrificing occupant comfort.  When a room is occupied, the temperature selected by the occupant will be maintained by the EcoSmart system.  However, whenever the room is unoccupied, which on average is 70% of the time, the system adjusts the room temperature using Recovery Time™.  Unlike other systems, Recovery Time™ technology constantly performs calculations that evaluate how far each room's temperature can drift from the occupant's preferred setting, to yield energy savings while still being able to return to the occupant's set-point within a pre-defined amount of time.  Telkonet's technology allows property owners to decrease heating, cooling, lighting and plug load energy consumption while extending equipment life without diminishing occupant comfort.  Also, by providing internet-based remote management over in-room energy efficiency, EcoSmart decreases the cost to operate an enterprise-wide system by improving the efficiency and operational effectiveness of on-site engineering resources.

The focus on energy efficiency across all levels of consumption and the execution of behavioral and policy changes are gaining momentum and high-level support.  In an excellent February 7^th, 2013 report titled "Doubling US Energy Productivity by 2030" by the Alliance Commission on National Efficiency Policy, the Commission stated that "another way to think of this is that energy efficiency is our 'first fuel' contributing more to the national economy than any individual fuel or source of energy supply." 

In addition, during his recent State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama called for a partnership between federal and state governments to cut energy consumption in half in the next two decades.  "I'm also issuing a new goal for America: let's cut in half the energy wasted by our homes and businesses over the next twenty years. The states with the best ideas to create jobs and lower energy bills by constructing more efficient buildings will receive federal support to help make it happen," said the President.

To read the complete report, "Doubling US Energy Productivity by 2030" by the Alliance Commission on National Efficiency Policy, visit: http://ase.org/sites/default/files/full_commission_report.pdf

ABOUT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with nearly 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2011.  The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit their web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

ABOUT TELKONET
Telkonet, a leading United States-based energy management technology provider, offers hardware, software and services to commercial customers worldwide.  The EcoSmart suite of products, which includes EcoInsight and EcoWave intelligent thermostats, the EcoView occupancy sensor and the EcoGuard energy management outlet, can be deployed in most building environments to cut utility costs and enable remote monitoring and control using the EcoCentral management platform.  Telkonet's energy management products have the power to reduce energy consumption, minimize carbon footprints and help eliminate the need for the construction of new power plants.  For more information, visit www.telkonet.com.

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Statements included in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as competitive factors, technological development, market demand and the Company's ability to obtain new contracts and accurately estimate net revenue due to variability in size, scope and duration of projects, and internal issues in the sponsoring client. Further information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results, can be found in the Company's Registration Statement and in its Reports on Forms 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Telkonet Investor Relations
414.721.7988
ir@telkonet.com

SOURCE Telkonet, Inc.