ATLANTA—“It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” is often used to explain the less-than-comfortable temperatures in Florida. With that in mind, there seems to be no better place to discuss ASHRAE’s winter’s conference theme: “Building Sustainability from the Inside Out.” Whenever the temperatures outside are too hot or humid to handle, ASHRAE ensures that indoor environments are comfortable and, most important, sustainable. ASHRAE’s 2010 Winter Conference will be held in Orlando from January 23 to 27 at the Rosen Shingle Creek hotel. The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Expo, held in conjunction with the Conference, will run January 25 to 27....

AUSTELL, GA.—YKK AP America, a leader in manufacturing high quality architectural products, introduces enerGfacade, its new family of energy-efficient products, as part of the YKK Group’s 50 year anniversary in the architectural products business. The family includes several products, such as Luminance, ThermaShade and YOW350T. These flagship products are currently available on the market, and new products will be added soon. “Sustainability is—and always has been—a core philosophy for us,” said Oliver Stepe, senior vice president of YKK AP America. “YKK president Tadahiro Yoshida first wrote the Environmental Charter in 1994. Since then YKK AP has continued that...

MOONACHIE, N.J.—Designed with a unique, shimmering, flame-like movement effect, BULBRITE unveils the energy efficient and versatile LED Retrofit Candle. Ideal for a variety of applications including churches, theaters, pubs, hotels, historic homes and buildings, the LED Retrofit Candle is a replacement for 120V lighting fixtures. Its patented electronics create a shimmering flame-like movement that simulates the flickering flame of a real wax candle. The LED Retrofit Candle provides the same realistic ambient light as a traditional candle, but is more economical and safer to use. It fits any standard candelabra-based socket (E12) and enhances the beauty of chandeliers and sconces...

ROANOKE, VA.—The Comfort Suites in St. George, Utah has installed the new GEM Link Wireless guestroom energy management system and GEM Stat Digital Thermostats in all 122 guestroom suites, utilizing their existing GE Zoneline PTAC units. GEM Link Wireless reduces hotel/motel guestroom HVAC energy consumption 35 percent to 45 percent by resetting room temperature to an energy conserving level, pre-selected by the hotel, only while the guest is out of the room. GEM Link uses the reliable ZigBee wireless protocol and consists of wireless passive infrared (PIR) occupancy sensors, wireless door switches, and a transceiver control module connectable to...

RENO, NEV.—The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nev., is tapping into clean, reliable, renewable geothermal energy. A total of $8.1 million was invested in the project. Like the industry they represent, the privately held resort took a gamble—drill a well that taps into the geothermal aquifer, betting on finding water at the correct temperature that could be captured and converted to energy through a closed loop system. It would then be returned to the earth via a reinjection well, which would heat the entire resort’s water and mechanical heat via geothermal energy. Peppermill president, Bill Paganetti, engaged world-renowned geothermal...

ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA—Five years after being shut down by powerful Hurricane Ivan, the Spice Island Beach Resort, located in the Caribbean on the island of Grenada, is doing its part to reduce its impact on the local environment while still giving its guests a luxury experience. The fully-inclusive, 64-suite property was the first hotel on the island to install a reverse osmosis desalinization system; it heats all of its water with a solar thermal heating system, cleans its pool without chemicals, and takes numerous other steps to reduce energy and water consumption and waste. The resort, which is expected...

LOS ANGELES—Last week, officials at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles announced that the property had received the city’s first Green Seal Silver Certification. In a press release announcing the honor, it was stated that the hotel expects to save approximately $225,000 a year because of its energy-saving and waste reduction initiatives. However, according to Steve Silva, chief engineer at the 1,354-room hotel, the Green Team has “just scratched the surface” of what can be saved and he expects the $225,000 number to eventually grow to $1 million a year. According to the online publication “blogdowntown,” the certification of...

MIAMI—Salt Lake City, Utah-based Control4, a provider of automated guestroom solutions for new and existing hotels and resorts, is working with MTech, a leading provider of guest response and work flow automation solutions, to enhance its product and improve guest service for its hotel clients around the United States. Control4 Suite Systems has been integrated with MTech’s HotSOS (pronounced “hot sauce”) in what Control4 officials call a door-to-drapes guestroom solution for anything from room lighting to temperature control to bellman’s requests, valet services and concierge services. “Virtually anything a guest needs is at his or her fingertips in real-time when...

VALLEY CENTER, CALIF.—Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort has diverted more than 400 tons of recyclables, reduced Styrofoam use by 25 percent and cleaned up more than eight miles of San Diego County beaches. These conservation efforts are the result of the employee driven “Green Committee,” which meets bi-weekly in support of the company’s CODEGreen Commitment. “CODEGreen is our commitment to conservation and sustainability,” says senior vice president and general manager Janet Beronio. The Green Committee is comprised of Harrah’s employees who want to make a difference. “There were so many ideas at the first meeting,” exclaims Brendan O’Kane, facilities manager...

CLEVELAND, OHIO—Hasek Communications, the Cleveland, Ohio-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes the Edro Corporation as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Edro washer-extractors are fitted with the company’s proprietary on-board DynOzone—DynaWash Ozone System. The machines reduce hot water requirements and shorten cycles to save on operating costs. Edro washer-extractors feature highly efficient motors and drives and state-of-the-art HMi touch screen controls. The company’s high efficiency tumbler dryers, available in capacities from 35 to 450 pounds, complete the laundering process. For additional information, call (800) 628-6434, e-mail aholaday@edrodynawash.com, or go to www.edrodynawash.com.