SOMERSET, N.J.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Philips, a global leader in lighting, with a 2015 Energy Star Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence Award for the company’s continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements. For the third year in a row, Philips took top honors with more than 500 Energy Star certified products in 2014, including SlimStyle, the world’s first Energy Star certified flat light bulb. More than 68 percent of the company’s product lines are Energy Star certified, including the recently announced 60-watt LED equivalent bulb with dimming that mimics the warm...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council announced that it will now recognize energy and water requirements from the Living Building Challenge (the Challenge) green building system within the LEED green building program.“USGBC and the International Living Future Institute, developers of the Living Building Challenge, share a common commitment and goal to transform the way we design, build and operate our buildings,” said Scot Horst, Chief Product Officer, USGBC. “The Challenge plays an important role on the green building performance curve and is a complement to LEED.”Added Horst, “The LEED steering committee approved this approach; in the world of rating...

FARMINGDALE, N.Y.—LaMar Lighting Co. introduces Shade, a decorative architectural luminaire with the energy-saving benefits of occu-smart bi-level lighting technology. Combining an attractive design with functionality, Shade accommodates several lighting needs and enhances a variety of spaces, from corridors and lobbies to offices and retail.Ideal for areas where full light levels are not required on a constant basis, Shade comes equipped with fully integrated occu-smart technology. A highly sensitive ultrasonic sensor keeps lights low or off to save energy during unoccupied times and switches instantaneously to high light levels upon occupancy.The contemporary round shade fixture blends seamlessly into any interior,...

CINCINNATI—P&G Professional, the away-from-home division of Procter & Gamble, announced that the Tide Professional Coldwater Laundry System has been named a 2015 Award Winner by the internationally renowned Edison Awards. This laundry system enables hotel facilities to reduce the energy needed to heat the water in a commercial washer by as much as 75 percent and to reduce the water used in a commercial washer by up to 40 percent. The Tide Professional Coldwater System was recognized as the Silver Edison Green Award winner at the annual Edison Awards gala in New York City.The distinguished Edison Awards, inspired by...

NASHVILLE—Leading interior design firms from across the United States teamed with INNCOM by Honeywell to showcase their best creations for guestrooms and public spaces at the HI Connect design event in Nashville held March 25 to 27, 2015. Award winners, designONE studio, VOA Associates, and Chipman Design Architecture featured INNCOM’s Integrated Room Automation Systems (IRAS) with Evora and Modeva switches for hotel lighting and comfort controls in their displays.  INNCOM partnered with several interior design companies with vignettes at HI Connect to provide solutions and suggest lighting controls and other guestroom automation. “INNCOM worked closely with the design community...

BETHESDA, MD.—As part of its global sustainability strategy to address climate change, Marriott International announced the company’s global energy intensity decreased cumulatively by 2.6 percent over 2013, 13.1 percent compared to a 2007 baseline.Across the majority of the company’s four global regions, energy results continued to decline. In The Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, energy intensity for managed hotels decreased over 2013 by 3.0 percent, 0.7 percent and 1.3 percent respectively. In the Middle East and Africa, energy intensity increased by 1.2 percent over 2013 as the region stabilized and travel increased.“Our global decrease in energy intensity demonstrates the...

BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIF.—Cwc La Casa Del Zorro LLC, the owners of the upscale 42-acre, 67-key La Casa del Zorro resort in Borrego Springs, Calif., recently decided that spending $1.3 million a year on utility costs was unacceptable. Given the resort’s desert location—the busiest time of the year, thanks to the desert heat, is from November 1 until the end of May—the owners decided that investing in solar technology for heating water and generating electricity made sense. So far just a portion of $3 million committed to solar has been spent but the resort is already experiencing energy savings.The first...

If you had to stay in a hotel room with an unpleasant smell, poor air circulation or loud noises from the air-conditioning unit, you would likely want to change rooms. You might even vow to avoid the hotel or add negative feedback to a review site to warn other travelers. Today, it’s easier than ever for hotel guests to share details of their unpleasant experiences on the Internet using social media. Negative reviews can be extremely damaging to a hotel’s reputation and the bottom line. A successful hotel operation will ensure that service and customer satisfaction are at the forefront...

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIF.—ClearWater Tech showcased its EcoTex cold-water ozone laundry system at last week’s Clean Show in Atlanta. ClearWater Tech also introduced NatureWash, a new ozone laundry system for residential and coin operated laundry applications. NatureWash uses the same cold-water technology as EcoTex, reducing energy use by reducing the need for hot water. It also reduces detergent use and wash time.Ozone laundering has proven to be very effective, safe and has an excellent performance record. It is an ideal cold-water alternative, combining the power of ozone and oxygen to reduce energy, water, and labor costs. EcoTex not only...

CHICAGO—The Langham, Chicago announced that it has achieved the LEED Gold level of certification. The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. “The Langham, Chicago’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “The urgency of USGBC’s mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach farther than ever before, and The Langham serves as a prime example of just how...