DECATUR, GA.—Seresco USA Inc., a leading manufacturer of HVAC indoor air quality equipment, has introduced the “Protocol” (NP) Series, new indoor swimming pool dehumidifier technology that reduces refrigerant use by up to 85 percent and is more efficient than conventional DX dehumidifiers.The NP-Series ranges from 18 to 140-ton units that provide energy-efficient natatorium space heating/cooling and optimum humidity control, while also offering free pool water heating and reheat through heat recovery.Named for the 1997 Kyoto Protocol environmental treaty, the Protocol Series substitutes hundreds of pounds of vapor compression refrigerants commonly used in traditional natatorium dehumidifiers with glycol that’s 95...

LAS VEGAS—Panasonic Eco Products Division introduces a “greener” option for builders and remodelers at the 2013 International Builders’ Show (IBS), with the expansion of its popular line of WhisperGreen ventilation fans to include LED technology. Available starting March 2013, the WhisperGreen LED is an ENERGY STAR rated fan/light that provides spot and/or whole house ventilation for cleaner indoor air quality, with added LED illumination.Panasonic has combined two life-long technologies to develop the energy efficient fan/light solution. Utilizing only 7.5 Watts, the 80 CFM WhisperGreen LED FV-08VKSE3 and FV-08VKME3 are more energy efficient than ENERY STAR standards, and the 12-watt...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—ClearWater Tech plans to showcase its newest Corona Discharge Ozone Generator when the Aquatech Society Conference recognizes its 50th anniversary this month at the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, Hawaii. The conference is being held January 13 to 17, and ClearWater (booth 74) will display the CD12AD wall mounted ozone generator at the one-day floor exhibition on January 16.“The 50th anniversary conference has all the makings to be a memorable occasion, and the trade show portion of the event presents us with an excellent opportunity,” said Cameron Tapp, president and CEO of ClearWater Tech. “There is...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Active Safeguard as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Active Safeguard is a micro-thin, transparent coating applied to interior surfaces. One application of Active Safeguard creates a cleaning barrier that kills odors, bacteria, viruses and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) while preventing the formation of mold and mildew. The coating creates a completely non-destructive and economical decontaminating system that works 365 days per year. Active Safeguard is also completely non-toxic.Call (520) 582-5592, e-mail jimhempel@rocketmail.com, or click here for more information.

SEATTLE—DewStop is a new fan switch that monitors humidity and dew point levels in a room and automatically switches the exhaust fan on or off to adjust for condensation in order to help minimize damage to walls and other items, as well as lessen or stop the growth of mold. Without proper ventilation, condensation produced from taking a shower can ultimately lead to mold growth. It is common practice to leave the exhaust fan running while taking a shower or even for long periods of time afterwards but in the long run, doing so will generate higher energy usage...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Many foam sofa cushions in the United States contain flame-retardants known to pose risks to human health, according to a new peer-reviewed study released late last month. Researchers at Duke University and University of California found that 85 percent of couches contained toxic or untested flame-retardants, some of which are linked to cancer. In response, business leaders from the Sustainable Furnishings Council, the Specialty Sleep Assn., and the American Sustainable Business Council said that chemical regulations must be improved in order to support public health and a healthy economy.“Our way of protecting consumers from toxic chemicals is broken,”...

SUNRISE, FLA.—Advantix Systems, a manufacturer of energy efficient liquid desiccant air-conditioning and cooling technology, and the Desarrollos Hotelco Group, announced their partnership to deliver Advantix’s liquid desiccant technology to the Caribbean’s hospitality industry. Advantix’s units utilize liquid desiccant, a salt water solution, to provide three important benefits for hotels: significantly lower energy costs, humidity control and improved indoor air quality. Conventional air-conditioning systems have one method for cooling air: chilling the air to its dew point to remove humidity and then reheating that air to a comfortable temperature, an intensive process that requires much energy. Advantix’s units simultaneously remove humidity...

TEMPERANCE, MICH.—MTS Seating has earned GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification for all of its lines of seating products for a fifth consecutive year.“Our continuous certification is one more way we demonstrate that MTS is truly committed to meeting the needs of our customers,” said MTS CEO Phil Swy. “For us, product innovation not only means providing our customers with the high-design, high-quality seating solutions they want, but also making every effort to improve our impact on people and the environment.”GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified is a product certification program for low-emitting building materials, furniture, furnishings, finishes, cleaning products, electronics...

SAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee announced that Moscone Center has received LEED Gold certification, the first convention center on the West Coast to attain the green building honor. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).“Moscone Center is a vital hub for our convention and tourism economy, and we are very proud to have the first convention center on the West Coast to earn LEED Gold for an existing building,” said Mayor Lee. “This is now our City’s largest municipally-owned green building. Receiving LEED Gold on...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer, Inc. announced that its XLERATOR high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryer is now available with a certified HEPA Filtration System. XLERATOR offers the only certified HEPA filtration system proven to remove 99.97 percent of potentially present bacteria and particulates from the air in the room, and the only one with a washable pre-filter for reliable performance and extended filter life. The HEPA filtration system is now available as an optional XLERATOR feature, or can easily be retrofitted into existing units.“Excel Dryer is the only hand dryer manufacturer that tests and certifies each HEPA filter to ensure it...