ORLANDO, FLA.—The expensive and marginally successful traditional methods of cleaning HVAC cooling coils are now becoming outmoded due to the introduction of an innovative coil restoration process that returns coils to like-new performance and offering a simple payback of as little as six months. Provided by AQUIS, a premier name in air handling unit (AHU) refurbishment, this new coil restoration process utilizes a unique probiotic technology to clean coils at a microscopic level, unlocking like-new system performance along with energy savings that users can literally calculate. “Traditional coil cleaning, which typically utilizes pressure washers and steam cleaners, fails to treat entrenched...

NATIONAL REPORT—The amount of moisture in the air, “humidity,” continually varies. Think of a sponge as an analogy. When relative humidity is 50 percent, the sponge is half full of water. When relative humidity is 100 percent, the sponge is holding as much water as it possibly can. When relative humidity is 0 percent, the sponge is completely dry and free of moisture. Climate Buildings in Orlando, Fla. are more susceptible to humidity challenges than for example, Atlanta. What climate qualities make Orlando more susceptible to humidity than Atlanta? Orlando is situated in an area that experiences high humidity for an...

One of the most read articles on Green Lodging News, with almost 10,000 views, is “How to Better Accommodate Travelers with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).” It is proof of the great interest in the topic. When I wrote that article in 2014, it was estimated that MCS affects about 12 percent of the U.S. population, but more than 30 percent of the population is fragrance sensitive. As much interest as there is in MCS, not enough has been done in our industry to accommodate travelers with MCS. If you google “chemical free hotels,” you will not find much. I spoke...

KENMORE, WASH.—When planning for her four-bedroom Enliven Bed and Breakfast in Kenmore, Wash., owner Teresa Molitor Luttrell decided to create a haven for people with chemical sensitivities. Luttrell suffered from Lyme disease for many years and understands the needs of the chemically sensitive. “I turned my house into a place for people with chemical sensitivities. Over the years I have really finetuned it,” Luttrell says. Millions of Americans suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity. According to the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation, “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a medical condition characterized by a heightened sensitivity to chemicals. People who have MCS become ill when...

ATLANTA—Oxy-Gen Powered, a leader in innovative odor control solutions, has unveiled TerminOdor, an odor eliminating spray that harnesses the power of the company’s proprietary malodor eliminator, Neutra-lox, to quickly neutralize odor molecules rather than mask them. “TerminOdor knocks out a variety of odors that can negatively impact people’s perception of a facility and its level of cleanliness,” said Chris Whiting, Executive Vice President—North America, Oxy-Gen Powered. “Fast and effective odor control makes TerminOdor ideal for a variety of environments, such as offices, hotels, hospitals, schools, fitness centers and more.” Available in 22-ounce spray bottles—sold individually or in cases of six—TerminOdor features a...

ATLANTA—Mohawk Industries announced at Greenbuild that the company’s Air.o Unified Soft Flooring (USF) line has achieved rigorous Declare and Health Product Declaration (HPD) certifications. Air.o was showcased as part of Mohawk’s portfolio of flooring solutions designed to minimize environmental impact at the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. The Air.o display at Mohawk’s booth helped the manufacturer earn the coveted Green Exhibitor Attendee Choice award at the international trade show. Engineered with just one material and latex-free with no “new carpet” smell, Air.o is the only 100 percent recyclable soft flooring available in the market. The line continues to expand to meet growing...

MIAMI—VP Plaza España Design, a luxurious 214-room hotel located on Madrid’s famous Gran Vía, has earned the prestigous LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certification, solidifying its position in the city as an example for environmentally conscious design and operation. The five-star hotel, which opened March 2018, scored well in several areas including its sustainable setting, innovative design, water and energy use efficiency, and use of quality materials and resources, all efforts which meet the priorities outlined by LEED for Spain. “We are honored to be one of the only hotels in Spain to achieve this important designation,”...

ATLANTA—Oxy-Gen Powered, a leader in innovative air-freshening solutions, has launched its Fab 30 urinal screens for men’s restrooms. Infused with high-quality fragrance and Neutra-Lox, a proprietary malodor eliminator, the screens eliminate rather than mask foul odors to keep urinals smelling fresh for 30 days. Fab 30 features a unique design to eliminate splashes and is available in 10 distinct fragrances that complement Oxygen-Pro air freshener scents for a total odor control solution. “Foul smells and urinal screens that don’t prevent splash-back can negatively impact the satisfaction of individuals using a facility’s restrooms,” said Andy Piucci, Vice President of Sales-North America,...

Whether you operate an event space, offer lodging, or both, you know how time consuming it can be to find the right furniture. This can be especially challenging when you require a large quantity of seating, particularly for an event space. In all this bustle, it’s easy to overlook the importance of purchasing environmentally friendly furniture. If you are trying to be mindful of your environmental impact and wish to find green, sustainably produced seating, this can pose an even greater challenge. Fortunately, to meet the demand for eco-friendly products, we’ve seen an increase in the number of green furniture...

ATLANTA—Oxy-Gen Powered, a leader in innovative air-freshening and hygiene solutions, is introducing Oxygen-Pro, a programmable and continuous air freshening system that eliminates malodors. Oxygen-Pro allows users to customize the fragrance intensity with various cartridge sizes and settings. The Regular cartridge offers 30-day odor control and the Grande cartridge can be set to 30-, 60- or 90-day scent delivery. The fragrances have no CFCs, propellents, alcohols or allergens, and no added VOCs or solvents. “Many air fresheners simply mask odors and only release scent periodically, either via gels, solids or aerosols,” said Chris Whiting, Executive Vice President—North America, Oxy-Gen Powered. “Our...