SECAUCUS, N.J.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Panasonic Home & Environment Company a 2012 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in manufacturing innovative and energy efficient ventilation fans. Panasonic’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20th anniversary of Energy Star. An Energy Star Partner of the Year in 2011 and 2010, Panasonic Home & Environment Company will be honored with the EPA’s most prestigious award for its long-term commitment to sustainability. With the highest efficacy (up to 23.3 cubic feet...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), in conjunction with The Home Depot, has launched an online green home products database. The database is a special microsite within homedepot.com that features products geared toward green home building, many of which may contribute towards earning LEED points and prerequisites for the LEED for Homes program, making it easier for homeowners and builders to find the products they need. Currently, more than 2,500 products sold at The Home Depot are listed on the website. “The LEED green building program helps homeowners measure green home performance across a range of categories, and products play...

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIF.—Aqua Soleil Hotel in Desert Hot Springs, well known for its hot mineral spas and pool, can now boast hot water of a different kind. Its new solar thermal hot water and pool heating system, designed to supply 80 percent of the hotel’s annual hot water demand, is one of the largest solar thermal installations in Coachella Valley. The solar system was installed by SunUp Energy, based in Coachella Valley, and features Austrian made Kioto flat plate solar collectors supplied through California Solar Thermal Inc. “We knew solar would be a great fit for Aqua Soleil when...

AURORA, ONT.—CleanRiver Recycling Solutions, a division of Midpoint International, Inc., has introduced a “Transition-Ready” recycling station that can be customized with a choice of countertops and wood veneer side and front panels. These custom recycling, composting and waste containers use stream-specific, interchangeable opening plates and moveable internal dividers to accept multiple types of recyclables in a single unit that is easily configured—and reconfigured—to meet current and future requirements. The containers are designed to blend in with existing cabinetry.“The Transition liner is the key to this recycling station,” said CleanRiver president Dave Jarrett. “The liner is a system that meets...

JUPITER, FLA.—Fresh-Aire UV, the manufacturer of the original 24 Volt Blue-Tube UV and the APCO in-duct air purifiers, introduces the Mini UV System, the first germicidal ultra-violet light system designed specifically for mini-split and other ductless air-conditioning units in residential and commercial applications.The Mini UV’s patent-pending miniaturized components, consisting of two pencil-thin, 9 (L) x 3/8 (D)-inch UV lamps and a 6 (W) x 1.5 (H) x 1 (D)-inch, 120 or 208-230-VAC power supply, fit inside all ductless A/C brands and even the tightest compact mini-split spaces.Like all Fresh-Aire UV products, the Mini UV inhibits all mold and other...

VERNON HILLS, ILL.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Scotsman Ice Systems as a 2012 Energy Star Partner of the Year—Product Manufacturer for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products and helping to educate consumers about those products. Scotsman’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20th anniversary of the Energy Star Partner program. Scotsman will be honored for its leadership in manufacturing products that earn the Energy Star Partner, the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency. Scotsman offers more than 65 Energy Star...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—Light control manufacturer Lutron Electronics announced updates to its web-based LED Product and Driver Selection Tools. These tools make product selection simple and easy by eliminating guesswork and ensuring compatibility between LED fixtures and LED drivers. The Lutron LED Product Selection tool features hundreds of fixture/driver/control combinations that have been evaluated in the free Lutron testing program, ensuring compatibility between controls and LED drivers, luminaires and screw-in bulbs. “Lutron is committed to helping customers answer their questions about LEDs and avoiding potential compatibility problems in the field,” says Ed Blair, Lutron vice president of Commercial Solutions. “As the world leader...

TROY, OHIO—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded ITW Food Equipment Group–North America (ITW FEG) a 2012 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency. A manufacturer of commercial food equipment, ITW FEG’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, which marks the 20th anniversary of Energy Star. ITW FEG, an Energy Star partner since 2008, will be honored for its long-term leadership and continued efforts in helping to make foodservice and grocery operations more energy efficient, sustainable and profitable. Hobart, Traulsen,...

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.—The Radisson Grand Rapids Riverfront Hotel announced that it has implemented a facility-wide “Green Clean Sweep” by permanently replacing traditional cleaners and sanitizers with plant-based, environmentally preferable alternatives made by green chemical manufacturer EcoLogic Solutions. In addition to the health and environmental benefits, the shift will reduce the hotel’s chemical costs and usage by an estimated 15 percent each year, according to Radisson Grand Rapids Riverfront Hotel general manager, Todd Roesler. “Sustainable commercial cleaning supplies have come a long way recently,” said Roesler. “They’re now every bit as effective as the old fashioned alternatives, often lower in cost, and...

OAKLAND, CALIF.—Móz Designs expands its Metal Laminates product line with the introduction of a new Neutrals Collection. Featuring subtle shades that offer elegant design solutions, the Móz Neutrals color palette includes tones of champagne, oyster, khaki, clay, graphite, cream and pewter.The Neutrals Collection was created to complement trend-setting designs in hotels and restaurants, spas and lounges, retail centers, healthcare facilities and other public settings where decorative laminates are installed as design elements. The versatile range of applications includes wall coverings, column covers, bar dies, elevator walls and more. They can also be utilized as room dividers or railing infill panels. Stronger...