Many hotels and motels claiming to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly these days charge an arm and a leg. Motel 6, the old road-trip standard, however, is making those changes while still offering affordable stays.

The motel chain teamed with Honeywell and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to perform energy retrofits of more than 7,000 hotel rooms in California. The changes include installing sensors that shut off air conditioning and heating equipment when rooms are unoccupied, as well as updating interior and exterior lighting fixtures and cold drink vending machines. The heating and air conditioning changes alone should save hotel owners up to $140 per room annually.

Also, in June, Motel 6 rolled out what it claims to be the first national fluorescent light bulb and battery recycling program within the hospitality industry.