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...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, food safety and public health technologies and services, has been named to Bloomberg’s 2020 Gender-Equality Index (GEI). The GEI tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency. Ecolab is one of 325 companies across 50 industries to be included in the 2020 index. “Our diverse teams are helping us fuel greater innovation, drive stronger performance and accelerate our growth,” said Chairman and CEO Douglas M. Baker, Jr. “We’re working hard to ensure Ecolab is a place where everyone can create, contribute...

ATLANTA—Washington, D.C. is ringing in the new decade as the number one city on Orkin’s Top 50 Bed Bug Cities list. Meanwhile, Baltimore fell to the second spot after three years as the frontrunner, and Indianapolis joined the top of the list. The list was not broken down by cities with the most problematic hotels. Flint saw the biggest jump moving 16 spots to number 31 after only joining the list in 2018. Pittsburgh and Champaign both broke into the top 20, and Myrtle Beach and Toledo joined the top 50 list for the first time. The list is based on...

NATIONAL REPORT—In a recent article, Green Lodging News highlighted two companies that offer different types of steam cleaning systems. One company not included in that article was Advanced Vapor Technologies. The company takes a different approach with steam—it relies on steam vapor and its proprietary Thermal Accelerated Nano Crystal Sanitation (TANCS) technology to disinfect and clean. The company offers machines appropriate for both residential (Ladybug Systems) and commercial environments (MondoVap and VaporJet Systems). Machines made by Advanced Vapor Technologies carry a yellow sticker indicating they qualify as a disinfection device by the EPA. TANCS is a factory installed internal component...

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...

NATIONAL REPORT—While only a small percentage of hotels in the United States currently use steam cleaners in their daily cleaning, an increasing number of properties are discovering that steam cleaning is an effective way to disinfect, deodorize and clean while eliminating chemicals and using a minimal amount of water. Steve Marks, V.P. Sales for Vapamore, says steam cleaning goes hand in hand with other green cleaning methods and is ideal for the sanitizing and cleaning of mattresses, carpeting, drapery, furniture, grout, the coils in HVAC systems, any type of bathroom cleaning, and much more. “You can use it in the back...

PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, announced that it will align its operations and supply chain to the U.N. Global Compact’s Business Ambition for 1.5⁰C, and will work to reduce its carbon emissions by half by 2030 and to net-zero by 2050. The company is committed to doing its part in limiting the rise of global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F) or less above pre-industrial levels, the limit deemed necessary by the U.N. to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. “Climate change demands urgent action, and it’s absolutely critical...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer is now offering an improved product with 50 percent longer life and an industry-leading seven-year warranty, without increasing the list price. Effective December 1, 2019, all XLERATOR and XLERATOReco Hand Dryers are warrantied for seven years; this covers all parts, and most importantly, the motor. Many other hand dryers on the market offer a lesser, more restrictive warranty, typically 1 to 5 years. William Gagnon, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Excel Dryer recommends buyers thoroughly review the warranty of any dryer they are considering purchasing. He cautions, “Though some manufacturers offer longer warranties, a review...