ROSWELL, GA.—Facility and HVAC engineers can now obtain critical operating cost data for HVAC air filters anywhere, any time, thanks to a new mobile smart phone tool from Kimberly-Clark Filtration. The mobile analysis tool works with a variety of smart phones and other mobile devices and is available for free. It allows people to compare the energy costs and environmental impact (i.e., greenhouse gas emissions) of any two similar HVAC systems using different filters simply by entering data into an easy-to-use form. (Online instructions are available to help.) The tool then automatically calculates the energy costs and annual CO2...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels & Resorts announced plans to bring more hypo-allergenic rooms to its guests than any other hotel brand. These hypo-allergenic rooms will be installed in all full-service Hyatt hotels across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean—totaling approximately 2,000 hypo-allergenic rooms in 125 properties. Powered by PURE, the Respire by Hyatt—Hypo-Allergenic Rooms are 98 percent allergen free and provide a comfortable night’s sleep for all travelers, especially those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory sensitivities. To kick off this initiative, a Respire by Hyatt—Hypo-Allergenic Room on wheels drove through the highly trafficked streets of New York City, gaining the...

LAS VEGAS—The Doubletree Club Las Vegas Airport announced that they have become the first hotel in the city and the state to introduce PURE Allergy Friendly Rooms. The Doubletree location introduced an entire floor of 10 new PURE rooms which create an allergy-friendly environment and remove up to 98 percent of bacteria and viruses. “PURE room options not only allow our guests suffering from respiratory and allergy sensitivities relief while traveling, but also provide additional options for health conscious travelers,” said Jim Cady, hotel general manager. “The Doubletree Club Las Vegas Airport is excited to be the first hotel in...

DALLAS—Until the recent growth of the green building industry under the LEED program, the cost and time involved with using carbon dioxide sensors in commercial buildings often outweighed the perceived benefits. “Today, building owners and designers see more reasons than ever to include CO2 sensors in building design and remodels, as the cost and reliability have improved with the maturation of the technology over the last two decades,” says Jeff Hartnett, commercial split systems product manager for Lennox Industries.  While a certain level of CO2 is natural in buildings—humans produce it with every breath exhaled—high levels can cause a...

BROOKFIELD, WIS.—In the last six months, two states have totally eliminated smoking in the guestrooms of any lodging establishment—Michigan and Wisconsin. In Michigan, the Dr. Ron Davis Smoke Free Air Law went into effect on May 1. In Wisconsin, Wisconsin Act 12 went into effect on July 5. In both states, restaurants are also included in the ban. Steve Yencich, president and CEO of the Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association (MLTA), said that MLTA opposed the Dr. Ron Davis Smoke Free Air Law. “We take the position that business owners should have the right to meet the needs of their customers,”...

PLYMOUTH, MINN.—Advance now offers vacuums that meet the requirements for sustainable cleaning equipment specified by the Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance Rating System (LEED-EBOM). Advance vacuums that can contribute points to LEED certification include Adgility XP backpack vacuums and Spectrum upright vacuums. The Adgility XP and Spectrum vacuums have been awarded the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Seal of Approval and operate with a sound level of less than 70 dBA, both of which are requirements for vacuums under the LEED-EBOM program. The purchase of green cleaning equipment is a prerequisite to Indoor...

NATIONAL REPORT—The American Hotel & Lodging Association is about to release the results of its 2010 Lodging Survey. Green Lodging News was provided with a copy of the survey results prior to the survey’s official release. The survey, which is conducted approximately every two years, was funded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation and prepared by Smith Travel Research. A total of 48,954 hotels were polled. The response rate was 18 percent (more than 8,500 participants). The survey report covers 14 green-related areas: Allergy-Free Rooms, Air Purifiers, Liquid Soap Dispensers, Linen/Towel Reuse Program, Energy Management Sensors in...

PITTSBURGH—Fairmont Pittsburgh announced that it has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The announcement was made by Leonard S. Czarnecki, general manager of the luxury hotel. “We are proud to continue Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ tradition of operational sustainability and responsible tourism here at the Pittsburgh location,” Czarnecki said. “In fact, Fairmont Pittsburgh is the first LEED certified project for Fairmont, and we are looking forward to growing our reputation as a responsible member of this community.” Fairmont Pittsburgh, which opened on March 29, 2010,...

NATIONAL REPORT—The great irony of building green is that the very concepts intended to enhance a building’s performance over its entire lifetime are many of the same things that make a building highly susceptible to moisture and mold problems during its first few years of operation. While green buildings have many positive benefits, there is also strong evidence to suggest a direct correlation between new products/innovative design and building failures. Simply put, departing from the “tried and true” often means increasing the risk of building failure. Two strong characteristics of most green buildings are: 1) the use of innovative, locally-produced products...

SAINT CHARLES, MO.—Pineapple Hospitality, a leading distributor of green hotel products and marketing programs for the hospitality industry, has added four new product partners: AquaHealth, Evolve Guest Controls, The Green Garmento, and Zero Odor. “We’re proud to have AquaHealth, Evolve, The Green Garmento, and Zero Odor join us as Pineapple Partners,” says Ray Burger, president of Pineapple Hospitality. “Whether it’s a sustainable water solution, energy controls, greener option for guestroom laundry service, or a unique way to actually eliminate odors instead of masking them, these companies demonstrate how everyone in the green hospitality market can work together to bring a...