PALO ALTO, CALIF.—Southwall Technologies Inc. and Pleotint LLC announced the world’s first installation of high-performance insulating glass that combines Southwall’s Heat Mirror suspended-film technology with Pleotint’s Sunlight Responsive Thermochromic (SRT) technology. The complementary technologies combine to deliver increased energy savings by reducing solar heat gain and glare during peak electrical usage hours, providing optimal daylighting during non-peak hours, while delivering maximum thermal insulation 24 hours a day. The product was manufactured by Southwall Insulating Glass and installed at Pleotint’s corporate headquarters in West Olive, Mich. The combined solution provides superior center of glass insulating performance of 0.13 (R8) with Argon...

ATLANTA—Acuity Brands, Inc., a provider of energy-efficient lighting, controls and daylighting solutions, has expanded its Sunoptics high-performance prismatic daylighting portfolio with the introduction of the SEAMLIGHT Curbless Daylighting System. The SEAMLIGHT System is designed for direct installation onto existing industrial standing seam roofing systems, creating new opportunities for the implementation of daylighting solutions. The Sunoptics high-performance prismatic skylights optimize indoor daylighting performance via a patented dome construction designed to capture more light at low sun angles, which maximizes the amount of light transmittance, while maintaining 100 percent diffusion and eliminating undesirable hot spots, glare and UV damage. Utilizing the same...

HONOLULU—AeroVironment announced that it has installed electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Marriott Waikiki to serve hotel guests and respond to increased demand for sustainable practices in the tourism and hospitality industries. The new chargers are part of Hawaii’s growing charging infrastructure. In March of this year AeroVironment was selected to help lead the way to a cleaner transportation future through an $820,000 contract from the Hawaii EV Ready Grants Program. According to a recent study by TripAdvisor, eco-friendliness is an important consideration for travelers and the U.S. hospitality industry. In the travel website’s annual survey of more than...

PALM BAY, FLA.—Car Charging Group Inc., a provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging services, announced that it has signed a contract with Laxmi Inc. of Palm Bay, Fla., owner of the Comfort Suites in Palm Bay, to provide electric car charging services at its hotel. “We’re pleased to announce our partnership with Laxmi Inc. of Palm Bay,” said Michael D. Farkas, chief executive officer of Car Charging Group. “Earlier this year, President Obama challenged the country to put one million EVs on the road by 2015. However, without a proper EV charging infrastructure this goal is not attainable. Through partnerships...

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Verve Living Systems, developers of wireless, battery-less control products, will be exhibiting a new line of energy-saving automation products during Greenbuild 2012. Greenbuild will be held in Toronto October 4 to 7. The new Verve product portfolio uses highly efficient radio frequency technology in an attractively designed family of sensors and control devices that enable significant energy savings without compromising comfort. The Verve product line consists of four primary categories of product: Occupancy Detection, HVAC Control, Lighting and Load Control, and User Interfaces. Verve sensors determine the occupancy state of a room, and communicate wirelessly with other Verve devices...

NATIONAL REPORT—After two years of declining revenues and profits, U.S. hotels turned the corner in 2010. According to the 2011 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry published by PKF Hospitality Research (PKR-HR), the average hotel in the nation achieved a 4.8 percent increase in total revenue during 2010. While 70 percent of the properties in the Trends sample enjoyed an increase in total revenue in 2010, only 60 percent were able to convert that into more money on the bottom line. Previous analysis conducted by PKF-HR has found that hotel managers struggle to control costs during the initial stages...

NATIONAL REPORT—Confused about changing light bulb technology and new regulations affecting the types of bulbs stores sell? The American Lighting Association (ALA) offers information to help simplify the process of selecting efficient, economical and effective light bulbs. Are Certain Types of Light Bulbs Being Banned? The word “ban” is incorrect. While it is true that the 100-watt incandescent bulb will no longer be manufactured after January 2012, it is not a ban as much as it is a replacement. Products in every industry go through a similar process where something that is no longer efficient is replaced in the marketplace by...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Excel Dryer, Inc. announced that BUILDINGS Magazine has selected its XLERATOR high-speed, energy-efficient hand dryer as a Top Money-Saving Product for 2011. Finalists were based on the money-saving qualities offered to building owners and facility managers in areas such as energy consumption, water savings, lighting, productivity, maintenance, and more. After reviewing more than 125 submissions, BUILDINGS’ editorial staff selected an elite group of products. XLERATOR completely dries hands in 10 to 15 seconds—three times faster than conventional dryers. It uses 80 percent less energy and delivers a 95 percent cost savings versus paper towels, while creating a more...

DETROIT—Lighting Enterprises (LEI), a leading maker of decorative lighting and energy saving LEDs for hotel and resort guestrooms and public spaces, has introduced a new line of exclusive hand stitched faux-leather wrap arms for their series of headboard-mount LED flexible reading lights for hotel guestrooms. LEI has been testing this leather feature for a year with a select group of key luxury hotel brands including Grand Hyatt, prior to presenting to the entire hospitality market. The launch at HD Boutique earlier this month showcased Taupe Faux-Leather fixture samples and include black or white options. New literature accompanying the fixture introduction...

TORRANCE, CALIF.—LEDtronics announces its latest generation of direct incandescent-replacement R16 LED Reflector Lamps with standard 26mm medium screw base. The bulbs operate on 120VAC and provide a concentrated 40-degree beam of light from a cluster of 40 LEDs. The energy-efficient R16-40-SIW-120AM (3,000K warm white) and R16-40-TPW-120AM (5000K natural white) draw just 1.7 watts each and provide up to 140 lumens. They provide an up to 90 percent savings in energy costs over incandescent and halogen bulbs, and have an operating lifespan of up to 50,000 hours. The lamps are ideal for architects, retail store display creators, entertainment designers and other...