HENDERSONVILLE, N.C.—The Hampton Inn of Hendersonville, N.C., has installed 24 4’x10’ AET solar thermal collector panels on the roof of the hotel. These panels now provide approximately 1,200 gallons of hot water a day for the hotel’s hot water needs, including laundry and guest showers. The owners of the Hampton Inn have a long-standing commitment to operate their hotel in a manner that’s as environmentally-friendly as possible, and the installation of solar panels is representative of their continued desire to achieve that goal.The solar panels work by harnessing thermal energy from the sun and using that energy to heat...

COMMERCE, CALIF.—Nora Lighting introduces Cori, a new LED track lighting fixture for architectural applications. Cori can be installed in new or existing Nora track systems and “H” style tracks, or can be specified with “L” or “J” adapters and retrofitted to existing “L” or “J” style tracks.The fixture includes an integral driver unit with a die cast aluminum head containing the LED array. Cori is available with 12W or 23W LEDs and both models are available in 3000K warm white and 4000K cool white. Architecturally-styled fins dissipate the heat and assure longer performance life.The unit can be installed in...

AUSTIN, TEXAS—Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and the GUESTROOM 20X Task Force, a group of hospitality technology leaders and experts, are searching for the latest and near-future technologies for the newest version of GUESTROOM 20X. The 2012 version of GUESTROOM 20X, a special exhibit showcasing the most innovative technologies for the guestroom, debuts at the 2012 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference June 26 to 28 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md. “One of the greatest successes of GUESTROOM 20X is that it has opened dialogue amongst industry professionals on technologies in guestrooms,” said Frank Wolfe, CAE,...

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.—Evolve Guest Controls is currently installing a fully integrated energy management control system with back office network connectivity in all of the Radisson LAX’s 580 guestrooms and suites. Evolve’s EMS system controls all of the lighting in the room, the TV(s), and the HVAC. When the Radisson was prompted with the question of whether to go with Evolve’s active energy management platform or passive PIR based platform, they opted to choose Evolve’s active energy management approach, which engages the guest to participate in being “green” while they travel by using a wireless keycard reader to determine guestroom...

DALLAS—VingCard Elsafe, part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, announces that the Grand Hyatt San Francisco has selected a complete package of VingCard Elsafe solutions for installation as a key component of the comprehensive renovation of its 659 guestrooms. The completed renovation features the addition of VingCard’s Orion energy management system and Signature RFID locks powered by the VISIONLINE wireless online access management system. With VingCard Elsafe products as the centerpiece, the 38-story, 39-year-old iconic Union Square property is now one of the most tech-forward hotels in all of San Francisco. “VingCard Elsafe has truly helped modernize our hotel, giving us...

NIANTIC, CONN.—When the Shore Hotel opened its doors in Santa Monica in October, INNCOM International was there with its e4 Smart Digital Thermostat and Integrated Room Automation System (IRAS) as an integral part of each guestroom and an instrumental component to the property achieving Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Independently owned and operated by the Farzam family, the 164-room hotel is one of California’s most eco-friendly properties today, and the hotel’s owners attribute its sustainability achievements in large part to INNCOM. “Our mission is to provide an excellent guest stay bar none, but we want to...

CINCINNATI—Cintas Corp. announced it has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on its Energy Star program. The program provides a strategic approach to energy management by tracking an organization’s current energy-efficiency and future improvement. The focus on energy usage benefits both consumers and the environment by lowering utility bills and increasing the use of energy-efficient products and practices. “We are pleased to join as a partner with EPA’s Energy Star program and will continue to take significant strides to further reduce energy consumption and encourage sustainability,” said Glenn Larsen, vice pesident of Quality & Engineering, Cintas. “Reducing our energy...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau Inc. recently unleashed significant enhancements to its Pro-Series II Dryer line. First, the entire line offers two new control options—the simple-to-use Dual Digital Control and the highly programmable Microprocessor Control. Second, all Pro-Series II Dryers with microprocessor controls now offer an optional Linen Life Extension (LLE) system—a moisture sensing feature engineered to prevent over-drying, extend linen life and increase energy-efficiency. Finally, electric heating is now available on the 125-pound capacity single-pocket dryer, previously only available in natural gas and steam heated models.Continental’s Pro-Series II Dryer line—designed to escalate efficiency, production and safety—is available in 30-, 40-,...

WESTPORT, CONN.—At the 2012 AHR Expo Innovation Award Presentation Ceremony on January 24, the Product of the Year Award was presented to Melink Corp. for its Intelli-Hood Kitchen Ventilation Control product that can save up to 90 percent in fan energy. Melink was selected from among the 10 Innovation Award winners for the Product of the Year honor.The Ohio-based company is a provider of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for commercial and institutional facilities. The company offers building commissioning services, kitchen ventilation controls and solar PV systems. Its award-winning product, the Melink Intelli-Hood, can save up to 90...

ATLANTA—The engineering, architectural and green building communities, as well as governmental agencies, are seeking to fundamentally change energy-use aspects of the built environment. The ASHRAE conference, High Performance Buildings: A Focus on Deep Energy Savings, addresses what really works when tackling major improvements in energy efficiency, renewable applications and operating practices in buildings. The conference is sponsored by ASHRAE’s High Performing Buildings magazine and takes place March 12 to 13 in San Diego. “The conference’s focus on case studies and networking offers attendees an up close and personal exchange of ideas on best practices for high performance buildings,” Kent Peterson, conference...