QUINCY, MASS.—Elevators don’t use a lot of energy compared to air-conditioning, heating—or even compared to computers and lighting. But when you add together all the little ways to cut energy use in a large building, the savings can add up. According to John Powers, president of Century Elevator Co., a family-owned firm based in Quincy, Mass., new elevators use a small percentage—less than 5 percent—of a building’s overall energy consumption. Elevators more than 20 years old use motor generators that must convert AC power into DC power to move the cab. DC used to be the current needed to control...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the release of the comprehensively updated LEED Demand Response Pilot Credit. Originally launched in 2010, the revised and enhanced Demand Response Pilot Credit establishes guidelines that are anticipated to increase participation in automated demand response programs. Leading industry experts from the Demand Response Research Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL), Schneider Electric and Skipping Stone contributed to the development of the credit. LEED projects that satisfy the credit by demonstrating their ability to shift energy consumption during peak events by 10 percent of peak load demand will earn a point towards...

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.—Verve Living Systems has introduced a new line of energy-saving automation products developed specifically for the needs of the hospitality industry. The products combine radio frequency and energy-harvesting technologies and incorporate wireless room controls. The products include an assortment of sensors and control devices that can be combined to work together in an organic network to determine the occupancy state of the room, set back temperature, and turn off lights and miscellaneous electrical loads to help hotels manage energy costs. The new portfolio of products uses highly efficient radio frequency technology in an attractively designed family of temperature and electrical...

OSHKOSH, WIS.—Continental Girbau recently released the new MG-Series hard-mount washer-extractors, available in 40- and 55-pound capacities. Continental’s highest performing hard-mount washers, MG-Series Washers feature up to 200 G-force extract speeds, superior energy-efficiency, and advanced programmability. The new MG-Series Washers—suited for an array of on-premise laundry facilities—are engineered to reduce utility costs and labor, while boosting productivity. Unlike many other hard-mount washers on the market, which typically produce extract speeds between 70 and 120-G-force, MG-Series generates speeds of 200 G-force. In addition to the new 200 G-force MG Series hard-mount line, Continental offers a full array of washers for on-premise laundries, including...

SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN—Believing that there is a moral obligation to conserve the natural environment is one thing; taking action towards green lodging practices and addressing eco issues head on is another. Proving it’s serious about the environment, Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon has taken strides forward to minimize its carbon footprint. With the help of local alternative energy company WSE Technologies and guidance from parent company Airline Hotels as well as the NRCAN/SRC, Saskatoon’s longest-standing north end business has installed a series of 57 solar collectors on its roof to capture the sun’s energy as thermal heat, which is then transferred indoors to...

NATIONAL REPORT—Bathroom ventilation systems recently introduced by leading suppliers are making it easier than ever to save energy and money while still keeping bathrooms free of odors and moisture. There was a time when fans were noisy and consumed up to 144 watts. Today they are almost as quiet as a mouse and can use as little as 4 watts—a dramatic difference. Motion sensors are now available with some models and turn off fans left running by guests. With some fans, a humidity sensor is included. This ensures that the fan continues to run until the humidity reaches a...

SAN FRANCISCO—ECOtality, a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies, along with The Lodge at Torrey Pines have announced that they have installed ECOtality’s Blink Electric Vehicle (EV) Commercial Charging Stations at the property. The Level 2 chargers allow electric vehicle users to safely and efficiently charge their vehicles with user-friendly features and a smart, fully interactive 7-inch touch screen. These chargers will enable guests with electric vehicles to use their car for the day and know they can come back to the resort and charge their vehicle. The Lodge at Torrey Pines is dedicated to protecting the environment...

MILWAUKEE—Telkonet, Inc., developer of the EcoSmart energy management platform, announced that it will begin installation of its new EcoSmart Suite in Marriott’s Ann Arbor Hotel at Eagle Crest, located in Ypsilanti, Mich., owned by Long & Cox Properties. Prior to this energy efficiency upgrade, the property completely renovated guestrooms and other areas of the facilities and is now embarking on a comprehensive upgrade to significantly improve the energy efficiency of the property. Keen Technical Solutions, a Traverse City, Mich.-based company with a focus on energy conservation strategies and alternative energy integration, is the prime contractor on this project and will...

SAN FRANCISCO—BuildingIQ, a leading energy management software company, announced the limited beta release of FAULTIQ, the latest addition to its suite of building energy optimization applications. Integrating seamlessly with BuildingIQ’s PEAC Energy Optimization technology, the new product continuously and automatically reduces energy expenses, power demand and greenhouse gas emissions without requiring capital expense or adversely affecting occupant comfort. FAULTIQ monitors, detects and diagnoses inefficiencies with energy consuming equipment, sensors, and existing control strategies to provide validated exception reporting to building engineers and managers. The application compliments BUILDINGIQ, the company’s flagship real-time energy optimization application, by automatically detecting anomalies and alerting...

NIANTIC, CONN.—Hotel engineering teams play a big role in delivering guest satisfaction, and one of their most time consuming tasks is ensuring that guestroom equipment and systems are always ready to deliver a comfortable stay. INNCOM’s new INNcontrol3 solution provides the staff  with real-time monitoring of HVAC and temperature satisfaction and creates alarms for any units that are not operating properly. The system can also monitor humidity levels in each room and uses the existing HVAC equipment to lower humidity levels to a comfortable setting. The system also monitors guestroom network connections and reports non-communicating rooms. The solution will...