BOURNE, MASS.—Onset, a leading supplier of data loggers, has introduced the HOBO ZW Series, a family of wireless data nodes for centralized monitoring of energy use and environmental conditions in buildings. HOBO ZW Series data nodes reduce the cost and complexity of data collection by measuring, recording and transmitting real-time energy use and environmental data—from dozens of points—to a central PC. Different from traditional data loggers, HOBO data nodes work together in a self-healing wireless network to transmit logged data to a PC at regular intervals. This eliminates the need of having to spend time retrieving collected data from individual...

NIANTIC, CONN.—The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is one the first properties in Connecticut to be certified for a new program that allows hotels, motels and other lodging owners to market their businesses as “green” in order to protect the environment. Installing the e4 Smart Digital Thermostat with ecoMODE from INNCOM International Inc. played a big role in helping the premiere four diamond waterfront New England inn and spa to achieve “Connecticut Green Lodging—Accommodating You and Our Environment” status. The Connecticut Green Lodging program is a joint effort of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Connecticut Commission...

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Expanding on its company-wide commitment to conservation and sustainable operations, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. plans to significantly reduce energy and water consumption at every one of its 1,000 hotels within the decade. Starwood is targeting a 30 percent reduction in energy use per available room by 2020; the company will also work toward a 20 percent decrease in water consumption per available room by 2020. The initiative will apply to all of Starwood’s owned, managed, and franchised hotels around the world. “We don’t see these goals as an obligation, but an opportunity,” said Frits van Paasschen,...

GLENVIEW, ILL.—The Metal Initiative has produced a white paper focusing on using metal in retrofit applications. With retrofit being one of the hottest topics in the commercial building industry today, the white paper addresses the reasons why building owners, developers and architects are and should be choosing metal. Metal’s benefits are more than economical and environmentally friendly; they’re also visually appealing and long lasting. The Metal Initiative’s white paper outlines the financial and environmental advantages of retrofitting with metal roof and wall systems. For architects, contractors, and business owners the paper explains how to increase business, improve building appearance,...

DALLAS—Coming to this year’s HITEC 2010, VingCard Elsafe, a global leader in hospitality security, debuts its next generation of wireless solutions, designed to help hotels go green for guests—and contribute to hotels’ environmentally friendly initiatives. Energy expense is the second highest cost for hotels and by changing the way properties consume energy, hoteliers will dramatically increase energy savings and reduce expenses at hotel properties of all sizes. VingCard’s new technology, designed with hoteliers’ and guests’ needs in mind, promises to change the way properties use and save energy. VingCard Elsafe will demonstrate its new product innovation on Tuesday, June...

ATLANTA—Lithonia Lighting, a leader in indoor commercial and architectural lighting, announced that it is fortifying its presence in the LED lighting market with the introduction of RTLED. RTLED is a high-quality, volumetric recessed luminaire that delivers ambient white light throughout an entire space while reducing energy costs, maintenance costs and a building’s environmental footprint. “RTLED is an innovative breakthrough for high-quality LED lighting solutions in commercial interior spaces,” said Dave Ranieri, vice president of Lithonia Lighting Fluorescent/LED Business Unit. “In addition to maintaining high efficacy and excellent color over a 50,000-hour system life, RTLED creates an optimum balance...

NATIONAL REPORT—Fuel cell power systems, installed at properties such as the Hilton New York, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, and Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, have worked reliably for years now but have failed to catch on in a big way throughout the lodging industry. Cost and availability of funding have certainly been reasons and the recent recession certainly has not helped. A lack of a serious marketing push by suppliers has contributed to the technology’s slow acceptance and systems have also not been available for smaller hotels. Some recent developments, however, could make fuel cells a more...

RICHMOND, CALIF.—SunWater Solar, one of the only companies in California that specializes in solar thermal technology, released a new video: “Solar Hot Water Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow.” This five-minute video is an excellent source of information for anyone looking to learn more about solar thermal, an efficient, low cost, renewable energy source. “Solar Hot Water Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” provides an overview of solar thermal technology and its history, benefits and applications. The video is narrated by SunWater Solar’s executive team. Loaded with insightful commentary and high-quality footage of solar thermal systems in...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Control4 as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Control4 delivers a personalized experience for guests with control of lighting, drapes, TV, stereo, thermostat and more through a single remote control. Property managers can configure and update rooms remotely, and centrally manage energy usage. Control4’s Suite System utilizes wired IP and wireless ZigBee technology to save money and construction costs. Currently, Control4 Suite Systems are being implemented in projects from Las Vegas to London. At the Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter in Las Vegas, the property collaborated...

GREAT FALLS, MONT.—eComponents Technology, a leading provider of hotel energy and environmental management solutions for the past decade, announced that as an Energy Star Partner it will offer automated benchmarking services for Energy Star certification. President and CEO Keith Kemble explained what this means for current and future clients: “Our Energy Star Automated Benchmarking Service allows your organization to compare facilities’ performance and energy usage with thousands of similar buildings across the United States. Organizations that use our ABS will reduce the costs of using Energy Star by eliminating the complexity of manually entering facility and enterprise energy consumption data.” ...