NIANTIC, CONN.—When the Shore Hotel opened its doors in Santa Monica in October, INNCOM International was there with its e4 Smart Digital Thermostat and Integrated Room Automation System (IRAS) as an integral part of each guestroom and an instrumental component to the property achieving Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Independently owned and operated by the Farzam family, the 164-room hotel is one of California’s most eco-friendly properties today, and the hotel’s owners attribute its sustainability achievements in large part to INNCOM. “Our mission is to provide an excellent guest stay bar none, but we want to...

CINCINNATI—Cintas Corp. announced it has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on its Energy Star program. The program provides a strategic approach to energy management by tracking an organization’s current energy-efficiency and future improvement. The focus on energy usage benefits both consumers and the environment by lowering utility bills and increasing the use of energy-efficient products and practices. “We are pleased to join as a partner with EPA’s Energy Star program and will continue to take significant strides to further reduce energy consumption and encourage sustainability,” said Glenn Larsen, vice pesident of Quality & Engineering, Cintas. “Reducing our energy...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently unleashed significant enhancements to its Pro-Series II Dryer line. First, the entire line offers two new control options—the simple-to-use Dual Digital Control and the highly programmable Microprocessor Control. Second, all Pro-Series II Dryers with microprocessor controls now offer an optional Linen Life Extension (LLE) system—a moisture sensing feature engineered to prevent over-drying, extend linen life and increase energy-efficiency. Finally, electric heating is now available on the 125-pound capacity single-pocket dryer, previously only available in natural gas and steam heated models.Continental’s Pro-Series II Dryer line—designed to escalate efficiency, production and safety—is available in 30-, 40-,...

WESTPORT, CONN.—At the 2012 AHR Expo Innovation Award Presentation Ceremony on January 24, the Product of the Year Award was presented to Melink Corp. for its Intelli-Hood Kitchen Ventilation Control product that can save up to 90 percent in fan energy. Melink was selected from among the 10 Innovation Award winners for the Product of the Year honor.The Ohio-based company is a provider of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for commercial and institutional facilities. The company offers building commissioning services, kitchen ventilation controls and solar PV systems. Its award-winning product, the Melink Intelli-Hood, can save up to 90...

ATLANTA—The engineering, architectural and green building communities, as well as governmental agencies, are seeking to fundamentally change energy-use aspects of the built environment. The ASHRAE conference, High Performance Buildings: A Focus on Deep Energy Savings, addresses what really works when tackling major improvements in energy efficiency, renewable applications and operating practices in buildings. The conference is sponsored by ASHRAE’s High Performing Buildings magazine and takes place March 12 to 13 in San Diego. “The conference’s focus on case studies and networking offers attendees an up close and personal exchange of ideas on best practices for high performance buildings,” Kent Peterson, conference...

NATIONAL REPORT—An increasing number of solar thermal systems are being used by the hospitality industry. Almost every brand has invested in this technology to lower heating bills. These systems work in a wide variety of climates from southern Singapore to northern Denmark and throughout the United States. What is a Solar Hot Water System? Solar thermal systems are a proven technology that has been around since the early 1900s. However, the technology has greatly advanced. Today’s solar collectors are very efficient and have a lifespan of more than 25 years. Evacuated tube solar collectors are a popular choice for solar hot...

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.—WattStopper has introduced the rugged FSP-211 Digital High/Low Passive Infrared Fixture Integrated Outdoor Sensor to conveniently control lighting in areas such as parking facilities and pathways. The sensor, which was accepted into the 2011 IES Progress Report, mounts in a lighting fixture and provides motion-based multi-level control combined with optional hold off daylighting control. Its feature set provides the flexibility to quickly and easily customize control parameters for each project to ensure energy savings while also addressing security concerns. All parameters are adjustable via a wireless configuration tool capable of storing and transmitting multiple sensor profiles. The sensor...

ST. LOUIS—Drury Hotels Company, a family owned and operated company based in St. Louis, is in the process of rolling out amenity dispensers in the bathrooms of its guestrooms in all 123 of its Drury branded properties. The five Drury brands include Drury Inn & Suites, Drury Inn, Drury Suites, Drury Plaza Hotel, and Pear Tree Inn by Drury. Drury properties can be found in 20 states. Alison Casler, director of training and communication for Drury Hotels Company, says the new dispenser standard will save the purchase and disposal of at least 1.8 million amenity bottles a year. Drury...

SEATTLE—Furthering its commitment to sustainable hotel operations and guest services, Seattle’s Cedarbrook Lodge announces additions to its sustainability initiatives, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations powered by ECOtality, Inc., and freshly filtered and purified drinking water through a partnership with Nordaq FRESH. “Since its inception, Cedarbrook has strived to be a leader in responsible, ‘green’ hotel operations,” said Scott Ostrander, general manager of Cedarbrook Lodge. “We’re excited to launch several new elements and additions to our extensive sustainability initiatives both on the operational and guest service levels of the property.” Cedarbrook is the first hotel in Washington state to partner with...

HOUSTON—Toshiba International Corp. announced that it is introducing new PAR38 and MR16 lamps that offer higher lumen output while still providing energy savings when compared to similar lumen halogen bulbs. Toshiba’s new PAR38 1100 Series is a direct replacement for 90 to 110W halogen lamps, offers outputs of up to 1,170 lumens and uses up to 75 percent less energy than halogens. Toshiba’s new MR16 450 Series is a direct replacement for 35W halogen lamps, offers lumen outputs of up to 475 lumens, and uses up to 80 percent less energy than halogens. Both models are dimmable, contain no mercury...