CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Verbatim Americas, LLC, a member of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC) group, announces the official Energy Star qualification of its new line of PAR-type retrofit LED lamps, all with the quality and energy efficiency requirement set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Certified based on strict criteria, Verbatim Energy Star LED lamps assure users high efficiency and long lifetime with consistent color output, translating into considerable reductions in energy consumption and maintenance costs. Verbatim Energy Star LED lamps qualify for utility rebates and are backed by a five year warranty. Verbatim’s Energy Star qualified LED...

COOPERSBURG, PA.—Lutron Electronics has introduced updates to its Energi TriPak family of energy-saving products including stairwell retrofit solutions and simple energy retrofit packages for small commercial spaces. The flexible Energi TriPak product family allows users to select a mix of components to best meet the needs of their space and save energy. New, energy retrofit packages allow contractors to order one model number that includes all the components necessary for a simple, dual voltage switching solution with occupancy sensing. Each package includes a Maestro Wireless switch with Claro faceplate and either a wireless, ceiling-mount occupancy/vacancy sensor, or wireless, ceiling-mount vacancy-only...

LOUISVILLE, KY.—GE Appliances & Lighting has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award for the seventh consecutive year. GE Appliances & Lighting supports the Energy Star program through a variety of initiatives, including training sales employees, retailers and distributors; promoting Energy Star-qualified products; and recycling at company locations. For example, in 2011, GE Appliance Park in Louisville recycled 10,000 gross tons of factory and office materials. GE representatives received the award at a March 15 ceremony in Washington, D.C. “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Energy Star program, EPA is proud to recognize GE Appliances...

CHICAGO—Six hundred bucks is not a bad monthly electricity bill for a 15-story, 63-room urban hotel. Granted, The Ivy Hotel has not opened yet but general manager James Cazares says public space lighting has been burning 24/7. Key to the tiny bill last month is LED recessed lighting—MR16 bulbs that consume just one watt each. LED lighting is just one of the many green facets of the luxury boutique Chicago property set to open at the end of April.Just over a block from Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s Near North neighborhood, The Ivy Hotel was once an office building. The...

BOULDER, COLO.—With a simple flip of a switch, The Best Western Plus Boulder Inn recently became the most solar powered hotel in Boulder County. The newly installed 880-kilowatt system that includes 88 solar panels will save 28,694 kWh of electricity production annually, and provide approximately 25 percent of the hotel’s overall electrical needs. A digital reporting device located at the hotel’s front desk provides real-time and cumulative information on CO2 savings and power production. This and other sustainability tracking initiatives applied throughout the hotel will provide a true look at the hotel’s overall environmental impact.“Our goal is to reduce...

SECAUCUS, N.J.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Panasonic Home & Environment Company a 2012 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in manufacturing innovative and energy efficient ventilation fans. Panasonic’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012, which marks the 20th anniversary of Energy Star. An Energy Star Partner of the Year in 2011 and 2010, Panasonic Home & Environment Company will be honored with the EPA’s most prestigious award for its long-term commitment to sustainability. With the highest efficacy (up to 23.3 cubic feet...

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CALIF.—Aqua Soleil Hotel in Desert Hot Springs, well known for its hot mineral spas and pool, can now boast hot water of a different kind. Its new solar thermal hot water and pool heating system, designed to supply 80 percent of the hotel’s annual hot water demand, is one of the largest solar thermal installations in Coachella Valley. The solar system was installed by SunUp Energy, based in Coachella Valley, and features Austrian made Kioto flat plate solar collectors supplied through California Solar Thermal Inc. “We knew solar would be a great fit for Aqua Soleil when...

HOUSTON—When Deer Lake Lodge & Spa opens this summer, guests will stay in 11 rooms, eight of which were once shipping containers. A total of 23 shipping containers are being used at the resort; 15 will comprise the main building area. The shipping containers are just one recycling example found on the 50-acre property located a 40-minute drive from Houston.Developer Tracy Boulware says that given Houston’s port location, shipping containers are easy to find and very inexpensive. “They are sturdy and very unique,” she says. Where needed, spaces have been cut out of the containers. Blue jean and spray...

BROOMFIELD, COLO.—Vail Resorts, Inc. announced the company achieved its 10 percent energy reduction goal announced in 2008. Through a continuous focus on energy conservation, the company was able to reduce its electricity and natural gas usage by 10.75 percent in three years by operating more efficiently. Examples of the energy savings initiatives include performing energy audits at all Vail Resorts properties, replacing inefficient lighting and using motion sensors to shut off lights when rooms are unoccupied, making snowmaking systems more energy efficient by using less compressed air, implementing a company-wide “Idle-wise” program that limits the time company vehicles are...

JUPITER, FLA.—Fresh-Aire UV, the manufacturer of the original 24 Volt Blue-Tube UV and the APCO in-duct air purifiers, introduces the Mini UV System, the first germicidal ultra-violet light system designed specifically for mini-split and other ductless air-conditioning units in residential and commercial applications.The Mini UV’s patent-pending miniaturized components, consisting of two pencil-thin, 9 (L) x 3/8 (D)-inch UV lamps and a 6 (W) x 1.5 (H) x 1 (D)-inch, 120 or 208-230-VAC power supply, fit inside all ductless A/C brands and even the tightest compact mini-split spaces.Like all Fresh-Aire UV products, the Mini UV inhibits all mold and other...